Iowa Women in Natural Resources
IWINR Board
Board members all hold two year terms, with the exception of the Treasurer position. Elections are now held on even years at the annual conference.
Sarah Nizzi, PresidentMe.
Sarah Nizzi is originally from central Iowa and is a graduate from Drake University with a bachelor's of science in environmental science. Currently, she is employed by the Xerces Society as a Pollinator Conservation Planner and NRCS Partner Biologist. Sarah has been active with IWINR since her first conference in the winter of 2014. She has held multiple executive board positions and was recently elected president in 2022. She has also participated in Outdoor Journey for Girls as a mentor/chaperone and instructor. Off the clock Sarah volunteers for other conservation non-profit groups and enjoys hunting, fishing, running, kayaking, biking, and writing.
Carrie Tolzin, Vice President
Carrie Tolzin grew up in southwest Iowa and is a graduate from Bemidji State University with a bachelor's in environmental studies with an emphasis in hydrology and a minor in geology. Currently residing in northwest Iowa, she works as an IDALS Watershed Coordinator for the Headwaters of the North Raccoon Watershed. Carrie has been an active IWINR member since her first conference in 2017 and has since held the positions of Member-at-Large, Secretary, and was recently elected as Vice President in 2022. In her free time, Carrie enjoys kayaking, fishing, and hunting with her family, reading, and spending time with her dogs Jada, Rio, and Reese.
Lori Eberhard, Treasurer
Lori Eberhard is originally from northeast Iowa and is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in natural history interpretation. She is currently the Park Manager at George Wyth State Park in Waterloo and has held that position for over 20 years. Lori started with Iowa DNR in State Parks at Lacey Keosaqua State Park in southeast Iowa. She has been involved with IWINR for 22 years and 11 of those years as the life appointed treasurer (and has not been booted from the position yet). Lori helped bring Outdoor Journey for Girls to the eastern half of the state at Hickory Hills Park, which is managed by Black Hawk County Conservation. This has been a great partnership. In her spare time she enjoys traveling anywhere, hanging out with friends and family, campfires, and trying new recipes on her pellet grill.
Kayla Clausen, Secretary
Kayla Clausen is originally from Greenfield, Iowa and is a graduate from Iowa State University with a bachelor's degree in forestry and an option in Interpretation. In the fall of 2022 Kayla became the Director of Decatur County Conservation Board. Prior to she was a full time Naturalist since she graduated from ISU in 2016. Kayla became active with IWNR after she attended her first conference in 2020. Since then, she has been a Member-at-Large and was recently elected as Secretary in 2022. Kayla attended Outdoor Journey for Girls as a 12 year old and now participates as a mentor/chaperone. In her free time, she enjoys anything outdoors, crafting, reading, seeing friends and family, and spending time with her miniature dachshund, Evie.
Kay Bates, Member-at-Large
Kay Bates, a retired 911 Operator, has been a Hunter Education Instructor since 2010. She has assisted with Outdoor Journey for Girls as a mentor/chaperone, presenter, muzzleloader instructor, and any other needed position since 2013. Being on the board for IWINR is new for her as of February 2022.
In her spare time, when she is not volunteering, she enjoys taking care of her dogs, and her flock. Kay is an avid gardener, likes to sew and read, enjoys camping, the outdoors, and is studying TaeKwonDo.
Cara Ingle, Member-at-Large
Cara Ingle is from central Iowa and graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor's degree in Natural Resources Management with an emphasis on interpretation. She was an environmental specialist with the Iowa DNR for 5.5 yrs working in the underground storage tanks section doing environmental enforcement and regulatory compliance. She has since moved into the private sector and currently runs the environmental compliance and testing division for Unified Contracting Services.
Cara became active with IWINR as a student at ISU in 2012. Since then she's held many board positions including vice president, and secretary. She's also been an archery presenter and mentor/chaperone for Outdoor Journey for Girls.
In her spare time Cara enjoys volunteering with Pheasants Forever, lifting at the gym, bow hunting, fishing, kayaking, horseback riding, camping, and shooting her bow.
Sarah Klein, Member-at-Large
Sarah Klein is an Iowa State graduate with a bachelor’s of science in biology with minors in sustainability and forestry. Currently splitting her time between southern and central Iowa, she is employed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Working as Honey Creek State Park’s Manager, you can find her most days in one of Iowa’s State Parks. Her previous conservation work in Iowa includes natural resource management with the Iowa DNR Blackhawk Wildlife Management Unit, Conservation Corps of IA and MN, and the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Sarah is a new member of IWINR, attending her first conference in 2021, and joining the board as a member at large in 2023. was her first year at Outdoor Journey for Girls, assisting with Archery instruction. When she’s not at work, she enjoys hiking with her dogs Bonnie and Pippin, kayaking, gardening, and plotting ways to improve her chicken coop.