Adair County welcomes seasonal naturalist

For many, a love for science and the outdoors is a lifelong thing. Consider Barb Busenbarrick one of those people.

She is excited to have already begun as an AmeriCorps worker this summer serving Adair County as its seasonal naturalist. Adair County provides the job and appropriate supplies to do it, but Busenbarrick is employed by AmeriCorps.

An Afton resident, Busenbarrick has spent much of her life either in Iowa or Kansas. She attended college for a degree in field biology. She was formerly the naturalist for Union County. With experience as a park ranger with the Army Corps of Engineers and about 20 years as a middle school science teacher, this seasonal naturalist position appealed to her when she learned of it.

“Like a lot of people who are in this, my parents and grandparents were farmers,” Busenbarrick said. “Spending time on my grandparents’ farm in Kansas [was instrumental]. I remember the flowers and fossils along the river.”

During the summer, Busenbarrick plans to carry out many of the youth and family conservation activities that have been offered the last few summers, including several camps and Light Up the Lake. She will be assisting Cass County’s naturalist in carrying out camps there and the Cass County naturalist will assist her with larger events here.

Busenbarrick is excited for educational presentations at area farmers markets and being a reader at story times at area libraries.

“It will be fun to do this, I think. I enjoy seeing the Aha! moments, and seeing them enjoy nature,” Busenbarrick said.