Karla Zeutenhorst has been a park ranger with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for almost 30 years. Her job primarily involves working with the people who visit the Gavins Point Project visitor’s center and communicating with the public on news stories involving the Project. Love Of The Outdoors vBy Reilly Biel Karla Zeutenhorst has turned her love of the outdoors into a lifelong career. Since 1989, she has been a park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers working at the Gavins Point Project. Her official title is the interpretive services and outreach coordinator. “That’s a fancy way of saying I talk to people,” Zeutenhorst remarked. Her office is located at the Gavins Point Project visitor’s center, where at this time of year she can be found frequently giving tours to local school groups coming in for end-of-the-year field trips. “I let people know what we do and who we are,” she explained. Finding Where She’s Supposed To Be After living in multiple Midwestern locations, Zeutenhorst attended Iowa State University with the goal of becoming a wildlife veterinarian. However, she soon discovered that that wasn’t the idealistic path for her. “During my first year of school, I roomed with a veterinary student,” she said. “They work really hard. There’s a lot to becoming a vet.” Realizing she would have to choose between working in veterinary practices or wildlife, she opted for the latter. It was while at college that Zeutenhorst became acquainted with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. During the late spring/summer/early fall months, she worked for the Corps as a park ranger at Saylorville Lake outside of Des Moines. 20vHERVOICEvMAY/JUNE 2018 After obtaining her degree in fisheries and wildlife biology, she continued to work in that area full-time for seven years before moving to Georgia in 1996 to work as a park ranger at Lake Sidney Lanier. Though she loved her job, she felt disconnected from her family that still resided in northwestern Iowa. “My first grandchild was born when I was (in Georgia), and I never wanted to miss out on that again,” she said. To accomplish this, she moved to Yankton in 2003 to work for Gavins Point Project. “Like any other job, it has its ups and downs,” she said. “But being able to meet with people and tell them about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is so rewarding.” Handmade with love! Knitting and crocheting is fun and relaxing. You’ll be creating handmade, one-of-a-kind gifts and fashions too! Huge selection of yarns, hooks, knitting needles, and patterns. 909 Broadway, Tripp Park Plaza 605-689-3999 • www.eweknitit.com Open: Monday-Friday 10am-6pm • Saturday 10am-5pm