Veterans Affairs - Have You Heard

Story County Conservation (SCC) invites prairie enthusiasts to celebrate the dedication of Landers Prairie on Sunday, May 18, from 1:00–3:00 p.m. at Prairie Valley Preserve near Gilbert, Iowa.

Story County is excited to announce our 2025 Citizen of the Year, Rick Dietz. Dietz extends his commitment to the community through active involvement in volunteering with Story County.

Dietz has volunteered his time with Story County Conservation and Skunk River Paddlers since 2001. Over the years Rick has taken on the lead role in updating the online trail maps for Conservation by learning how to use new GPS equipment to map out accurate trail routes throughout the county. This GPS data was uploaded into a GIS program to create better mapping for the public to safely enjoy county trails and parks. Rick regularly gives his time and talents through other Story County Conservation environmental education and volunteer opportunities, including invasive species removal, geocache programs, being one of the first members of the Trails Advisory Committee, and more. 

Dietz is also a volunteer and has been an integral member of the Story County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team since 2015. His vast knowledge of all things, ropes, water, and mapping along with years of wisdom have helped guide the team through all types of call outs over the years. “Rick is an exceptional leader,” Nominator, Story County Sheriff’s Deputy Kyle Thompson says. “He demonstrates these qualities time and again, whether it's leading initiatives to address invasive species in county water areas, mapping trails, or going above and beyond what is expected of him as a member of the Sheriff’s Office Dive Team.”

“On behalf of the Story County Board of Supervisors it was an honor to award Rick Dietz with the 2025 Story County Citizen of the Year award”, stated Board of Supervisors Chair Lisa Heddens. “Rick embodies the values of serving a community. His years of volunteering with Story County Conservation on trail mapping, education classes and other conservation initiatives as well as his involvement on the Story County Sheriff’s Department dive team shows his diverse interests, willingness and ability to jump in and serve where most needed. It is these qualities and so many more that he was nominated and selected as the 2025 award recipient.”

Dietz’s ability to create solutions to problems speaks to his vision and commitment to the teams he volunteers with. Under Rick's leadership, many initiatives have flourished, and his ability to bring people together for the common good has had a lasting impact on his community.  

Attached photo: Conservation Director Mike Cox, Park Ranger Logan Heissel, Rick Dietz, Madi Nolte Community Engagement Coordinator, and Sara Carmichael Watershed Coordinator.