WHERE ARE YOU HEADED?
UNI STUDENT FINDS SUCCESS THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CAREER
Today, University of Northern Iowa students are finding more opportunities in the fields of
physical education, health promotion and environmental health. Former and current students are
exploring exciting options with professors, through internships and hands-on activities in the classroom.
Jana Callanan, a recent graduate of UNI with a degree in Environmental Science, is applying the valuable
knowledge she gained in the classroom. She now uses that expertise every day as an Environmental
Technician. Callanan works for Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute (PCEI), a non-profit
organization based in Moscow, Idaho.
The PCEI strives to increase citizen involvement in decisions that affect the region’s environment. Its
primary goals are to promote the ecological health and social welfare of the Palouse-Clearwater region
and participate in the conservation, preservation and restoration of environmentally sensitive lands,
natural areas and unique ecosystems. Finally, through PCEI’s work, the organization seeks to inform and
educate the public on issues concerning a sustainable future by promoting a well-informed, active and
concerned citizenry.
The PCEI is involved in several projects including
the Watersheds Project, which Callanan actively
works with. Environmental education and schoolbased programs, community food systems,
transportation options, alternative energy and
AmeriCorps placements are several other
projects PCEI is working toward improving and
providing to Idaho residents.
Jana Callanan, a graduate of UNI, works with
Moscow, Idaho elementary students at her job at
Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute.
Besides working on the Watersheds restoration
project, Callanan has also been assisting the
PCEI with trail restoration. The PCEI watershed
project is focused on preserving, protecting
and restoring ecosystems in the PalouseClearwater region and Callanan is involved with
water quality protection, biological monitoring
and wetland restoration.
“A typical day includes going on site and prepping the area for plantings, maintaining a site to ensure
plant survival and taking accurate and detailed data on the site,” Callanan said. “Taking data is one of
the most important aspects of my job because the information we gather on site will be used to ensure
continued funding for a particular
project.”
Callanan and PCEI host a weekly
event where community
volunteers visit worksites to assist
with planting, maintenance and
clean-up work.
“This is a vital part of my job,
because without the help of
volunteers, it would not be
possible to complete the work
necessary,” she said. “It’s also a
unique way to educate people in
the community and explain why
the restoration project is so
important.”
Callanan and PCEI staff members discuss the essential nature of native plants within a watershed and
how plants function to provide a stable and healthy ecosystem. These plants also work to create shade,
filtration and erosion control within the environment.
“All in all, the work I do is different and challenging every day,” she said. “It is neat to be able to go out
in the community and really make a difference.”
Callanan credits her UNI education with providing her the opportunity to work with PCEI. Callanan says
UNI taught her how to work successfully with volunteers and adopt a sense of professionalism when
explaining projects and their importance.
“I am able to go out and talk to people about the importance of restoration sites and work hard to make
a difference in this community,” she said. “I have been able to work with elementary, high school, and
college students as well as many members throughout the community. It has been useful to know how
to communicate with them in a productive way in order to make them a part of our project.”
Callanan’s classes at UNI have provided her useful information regarding accurate testing of water and
air quality. She is also able to apply her classroom knowledge in identifying watersheds that are at risk
for exceeding their daily maximum load of contamination and recognizing their need for restoration.
“My education at UNI has given me the confidence I need to seek out this job and to do well in it,” she
said. “It has helped me to open my eyes to the importance of such projects and given me the drive and
desire to help make a difference in the world.”