The Wild Prairie Showdown is back, with the Great Outdoors Foundation and ICON Water Trails partnering once again on a peer-to-peer campaign advancing conservation and recreation in the region. The Wild Prairie Showdown is a vibrant grassroots event that will conclude with a pseudo-pageant in which two local participants, and their teams, compete to be named MVP — Most Valuable Philanthropist. This year, Team ICON is represented by Molly “Ms. Drizzle” Hanson. Learn more about Molly and why she is competing in this year’s showdown below.

Q: Tell us about yourself?

A: My name is Molly Hanson. I’m 38 years old and I’m an Iowa kid- born and raised. I grew up in Johnston and Des Moines and played a LOT of soccer. I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Earth Science and a minor in Geology. My first career was with the Iowa County Conservation system where I supported environmental education programs in Black Hawk, Cerro Gordo and Madison County. After participating as a volunteer board member, I was hired to be the Executive Director for Iowa Rivers Revival (a nonprofit river advocacy organization). In that role, I focused on river and stream restoration, low-head dam mitigation, river advocacy, and coalition building. Today, I am a market leader in the Parks & Open Space Studio at RDG Planning & Design. I support clients with strategic plans, park plans, and sustainability efforts. As a firm, we are fortunate to be part of the design team for ICON Water Trails. I live on the south side of Des Moines with my husband Johnny and our dog Lola.

Q: What made you decide to participate in the Wild Prairie Showdown?

A: Over and over again throughout my life I’ve found myself saying, “a day on the river is always a day well spent.” It’s never failed me. Sure, the logistics can be a drag, and shuttling cars and kayaks is not for the faint of heart, but once you’re out there with your paddle in the water, following a heron downstream — well, that’s kind of the whole point.

That precious resource and that soul restoring experience is at risk in the state of Iowa. I’m sure you’ve seen the news headlines. Nitrates in drinking water, beach closures due to e-coli, localized flooding and trail closures… unfortunately, this is nothing new. When you’ve worked in conservation and fought for improved water quality as long as I have, you learn patience. Watershed planning, environmental education, river restoration workshops, climate action plans, natural resource management projects, stream cleanups, fundraising, coalition building, advocacy at the State Capitol, storytelling — I’ve done it all. This work is never done. And that’s why It’s going to take ALL of us.

Q: Why did you choose to represent Team ICON Water Trails? 

A: Conservation has always been my cause. Iowa is my home. When I graduated from college, I remember my mom asking, “Why don’t you move somewhere where they like people like you?” The thing is people like me are what we need to keep moving forward.

Here’s the deal. We’ve come a long way AND we still have a long way to go. Rivers are an integral part of Iowa’s natural heritage. Des Moines was founded at the confluence of two rivers — the Des Moines and the Raccoon, nearly 200 years ago. Over the past few decades, we’ve become disconnected from the water. ICON Water Trails is about restoring this connection to the rivers and each other.

Give what you can today but more importantly, get involved and get outside. Volunteer, join a board of a local organization, pick up trash, lead a nature hike and vote! The decisions we make today will have a lasting impact on our city and our state for generations to come. Be someone the younger version of yourself would be proud of.

The participants’ fundraising efforts will conclude at the 2025 Wild Prairie Showdown on Thursday, Oct. 16 at Val Air Ballroom. This unique event will highlight the stars of the Wild Prairie Showdown through fun persona segments, competitor interviews, and interactive voting. To learn more, register for the event, or support Molly’s campaign, visit givebutter.com/wps2025.