Raina Genaw, former Tama County naturalist, pictured on May 3, 2023, at Otter Creek Lake & Park Nature Center shortly after being hired by the county. Genaw was fired on Dec. 2, 2024. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TOLEDO – Barely 18 months into her tenure, Tama County has parted ways with its now-former naturalist, Raina Genaw.

In a message to the newspaper on Dec. 14, Genaw, a Maquoketa native, said she was terminated from employment on Dec. 2 by HR Administrator Tammy Wise and Conservation Director Curtis Behrens. Genaw said no reason was given for her termination.

Genaw was first hired as the naturalist in May of 2023 to replace Emma Bruck who resigned to take a job with Marshall County Conservation.

The newspaper contacted both Wise and Behrens by email on Dec. 5 regarding Genaw’s termination; Wise declined to answer any questions at that time citing “personnel matters,” while Behrens never responded. The newspaper also contacted Tama County Board of Conservation chairman John Kennan but never received a response.

On Dec. 17, Wise shared with the newspaper Genaw’s Severance and Release Agreement which both Wise and Genaw signed on Dec. 13. Per the agreement and as part of her termination, Genaw was set to receive a lump sum payment of $7,292.96 for 38 working days including holidays plus county health coverage through Dec. 31, 2024. The sum included $4,439.59 for accrued time off/vacation.

Also as part of the agreement, the County agreed not to contest Genaw’s application for unemployment insurance benefits, while Genaw promised to not sue the County – her signature effectively settling “all potential disputes” in order to “avoid the costs of litigation.”

“By making this Agreement,” the severance document states, “neither Employer nor Employee admit that they have done anything wrong, and each specifically disclaims any liability to or discrimination against the other on the part of themselves, their employees or affiliates, agents or representatives.”

During her roughly 19 months as the Tama County naturalist, Genaw – a graduate of Drake University who spent two years as an interpreter with the Iowa DNR before coming to Tama County – led over 230 educational programs which reached a total of 6,500 people, according to her own data. She also helped coach the Tama Turtles Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) team – a fledgling team which triumphantly took first place this past summer at the State WHEP Competition, earning a spot at Nationals in Texas.

Genaw told the newspaper she is still actively coaching the Tama Turtles as a 4-H volunteer while also continuing to assist the South Tama Archery team with coaching and tournaments.

Prior to Genaw, Bruck was hired as the county’s naturalist in late August 2022 to replace Brendan Kelly who had resigned that July to take a job in construction after being with Tama County Conservation for roughly three years.

The Tama County Naturalist position was posted for the third time in as many years last week on the day after Christmas. The job description states, in part, “The Naturalist’s primary duty is to provide informative and interpretive programs and materials to those living within and visiting Tama County, including students, public and civic groups, and the general public.”

Minimum education and experience required include an associate’s degree with at least four years of related experience, or a bachelor’s degree supported by at least two years of related experience. Major coursework must fall within the natural resources, conservation, forestry and park management, environmental education, biology, or botany fields.

Those interested in the position should refer to the county website: https://www.tamacounty.iowa.gov/employment/naturalist/931/.

For her part, Genaw told the newspaper she remains proud of all she accomplished as the county’s naturalist and hopes those who hold the position in the future are able to do the same.

“I am proud of the work I did and plan to continue my career as an environmental educator. It is my hope that any future naturalists are able to overcome the challenges Tama County Conservation presents.”

The next meeting of the Tama County Board of Conservation is set for Wednesday, Jan. 8, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Otter Creek Lake & Park Nature Center located at 2283 Park Road, Toledo. Meetings are open to the public.