Henry County welcomes new assistant naturalist

By Bryce Kelly, Mt. Pleasant News

Spencer native and nature enthusiast Danika Cox says she couldn?t be happier to start her new career as a naturalist in her home state, and says being in Henry County is an even bigger plus.

A recent graduate of South Dakota State University with a degree in wildlife fisheries, Cox says she feels honored to be working in her field of collegiate study, while also doing what she has always loved. Although she admits she chose a field of study that is mostly male-dominated, she admits that fact has never really swayed her passion.

?My Dad and my Grandpa would take me fishing and camping a lot as a kid. In high school, I was one of those kids who were never out partying. I was out fishing,? she laughed. ?It?s just what I love, and I?ve never wanted to change that about myself.?

Now taking on the role of assistant naturalist to head Henry County Naturalist, Cari Nicely, Cox will be working hand-in-hand with Nicely in the various school and outdoor education programs the Henry County Conservation Department offers.

Prior to coming to Henry County, Cox worked for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in the Okoboji region as a naturalist. She also completed a summer internship with the Clay County Conservation Board prior to her current position. As a recent college graduate she says she has felt open to trying different career opportunities in order to gain workplace experience, she says Henry County had a particular draw to it and says she hopes it?s where she can plant roots.

?The raptors that Henry County has was one of the main things that drew me here,? she said. ?I love studying ornithology, and I particularly love raptors. Out of all the places I have worked and know about, Henry County was unique in having raptors that are central in a lot of their education programs. So the fact that I get to be working with Cari and with those animals in particular is really exciting for me.?

Outside of work, Cox says she feels fortunate that many of her hobbies are things she gets to do in her day-to-day job. Besides fishing, camping and kayaking, Cox enjoys a good novel or an afternoon of scrapbooking. She adds that her husband is not as into the outdoors as she is, but says her passion for it has ?rubbed off on him.?

As Cox continues to get settled into her new position, she says she is looking forward to meeting more of the local community and sharing the joys of the outdoors with others.

?I?m very excited to be here and to be working with the Henry County Conservation staff, and I am eager to meet new people,? she said.

The public is encouraged to contact Cox via email at dcox@henrycountyconservation.com or call her at the Henry County Conservation Department at 319-986-5067.