Intersections (with lunch) | Caring for our natural resources

Caring for our natural resources

Joan M. Flecksing
Director, Meskwaki Nation Department of Natural Resources

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DECEMBER 5, 2025  |  11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Cedar Rapids
** in-person event **

The Meskwaki People have been part of the Iowa landscape since the 1700s. Although they have long been our neighbors, many of us know little about the heritage or current interests of the Meskwaki Nation. Joan Flecksing, Director of the Meskwaki Nation Department of Natural Resources, will share information on the tribe’s history, tribal sovereignty and self-determination, federal partnerships, and tribal operations. She will also discuss land management and the tribe’s water quality standards and concerns.

You may make your reservation to attend in-person (with lunch) by clicking on the "Register Now" button. Three boxed lunch options are available: turkey & swiss on ciabatta, roast beef & cheddar on wheatberry, and garden veggie salad; boxed lunches are $15 each. You must pre-order and pay for your lunch by 12:00 PM on Tuesday, December 2. Late orders or walk-in requests for lunch will not be available.

If you have any issues registering, please email info@interfaithallianceiowa.org or call 515.279.8715.

ABOUT OUR PRESENTER | As Director of the Meskwaki Nation Dept. of Natural Resources, Joan Flecksing is honored with the responsibility for the natural resource management and environmental health of Tribal lands for the Meskwaki Nation, The People of the Red Earth. She works in support of the initiatives and staff of the department while striving to ensure the protection, preservation, and restoration of the natural and environmental resources of the Sac and Fox Tribe in the Mississippi in Iowa, always in honor of the culture of the Meskwaki People.

Raised in rural Iowa and the youngest of twelve children, Joan grew up with a strong connection to the land for sustenance, its spiritual relevance, and recreation. This instilled in her passions for conservation and land management, sustainable agriculture and construction, and public service. Consequently, Joan pursued and worked in the natural resource, environmental, and agriculture fields.

Upon earning a Bachelor of Science in Conservation Management and Public Administration, Joan was hired as the park manager of Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area (Palo, IA) in 2001, where she served Iowans in managing one of the busiest state recreation areas in public works, facilities, construction, natural resource management, operations, law enforcement, and administration. She also partnered to establish and co-own a buffalo ranch, eventually maintaining a 130-head herd. Joan served as Director of Operations for Matthew 25 (Cedar Rapids), working in green construction initiatives, neighborhood revitalization, urban farming, and sustainability. After graduating from Drake University with an MPA in 2021, she went on to serve as Chief Operations Officer of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (Cedar Rapids).

Joan is a wife and mother of two, and enjoys prairie restoration, tree planting, historical structures, museums, and family hikes with their two dogs, Rover and Hazel.

Intersections is a monthly gathering of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa in Cedar Rapids. It's an opportunity to learn, to participate in civil dialogue, and to discuss issues at the crossroads of religion and politics.