A "Day in the life" of a DNR...

Name: Jan
Field: Coordinator of Pollution Prevention Intern Program, Planner III
Location: Wallace Bldg., Des Moines

The challenge facing Jan Loyson was tremendous and at the same time, exciting. A challenge Jan met with enthusiasm that has produced national and regional recognition. In 2000, Jan left the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste facility in Nevada and returned to Iowa, her home state. The job she came back for was not simple - develop an innovative, sustainable program partnering Iowa businesses with upper-level undergraduate and graduate students while tying into DNR's mission to improve the quality of life for all Iowans and ensure a legacy for future generations.

Some of Jan's first tasks were to develop marketing and training materials, establish the application process and determine the criteria to choose students and businesses suitable for the program.

"It was like a brand new creation, a brand new opportunity," she said. "That was thrilling. It still is. Because it continues to evolve and grow. It's exciting."

That brand-new program came to be known as the Pollution Prevention Intern Program, or P2, something Jan developed and continues to coordinate.

Jan said the program has grown from just 14 student interns in 2001 to 155 applicants last year. In that first year, 14 interns saved their companies more than $1.5 million by reducing waste and conserving resources. Now the P2 interns have a proven track record. Since 2001, they have helped Iowa businesses conserve 470 million gallons of water, decrease energy use by 45 million kWh, and reduce solid waste by 59,000 tons

for a total cost savings of more than $18.1 million. Even the business proposals have changed, from more solid waste the first year to energy projects last year. Jan said the team's job is to match the best student candidate to each business proposal.

"That's one of the things I really love about my job - the opportunity to interact with students, their professors and Iowa businesses on a daily basis," Jan said. "This program employs a competitive process, in that businesses submit project proposals and we select the best student for that project."

Over the years, the P2 program has grown tremendously and received regional and national recognition. The program has received the Governor's Golden Dome Award, the Regional and National Council of State Government's Most Innovative Program Award, and the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable's Most Valuable Program Award.

Jan is quick to point out it is a team effort. "I don't want to sound as if I did it by myself. Because it's really the students who are the success of the program and the reason we are receiving national acclaim."

Jan has received applications for the program from students across the United States and foreign countries. Several host companies have hired their interns, including Alliant Energy, Alcoa, Lear Corporation, Pella Corporation and Kraft Foods. Students majoring in environmental science, physical science, engineering, economics, environmental studies and business management are encouraged to apply.

Jan said the P2 Intern Program has not only allowed her the opportunity to interact with students and businesses but has the added benefit of retaining Iowa's top scholars.

"One of our goals and objectives for the program is to keep Iowa graduates in Iowa. And it's one of the Governor's goals also. One of the ultimate goals is to encourage these future environmental leaders to play a role in promoting long-term sustainability in Iowa. I do feel we are leaving behind a legacy-an ethic of environmental stewardship-and to me that's important."

Find out more about the Pollution Prevention Program.