About
Mahaska County Conservation Board
- Steve Dixon, Oskaloosa - Chairperson
- Curt Jager, Eddyville - Vice Chairperson
- Linda Fox , Rose Hill - Secretary
- Jennifer Peterson, Oskaloosa - Member
- Chuck Webb, Oskaloosa - Member
The Mahaska County Conservation Board meetings are open to the public. Visitors are always welcome and encouraged to attend. The board meets the third Monday of every month at 6:00 p.m. at the Envrionmental Learning Center. Please note: these dates are subject to change.
Staff
- Chris Clingan, Director
- Laura DeCook, Naturalist
- Tommy Van Renterghem, Park Ranger
- Jason Ryan, Park Ranger
- Dorothy Wedgewood, Administrative Assistant
History and Purpose of the Mahaska County Conservation Board
Mahaska County was settled in 1843. The county was organized in 1844 and named after Chief Mahaska of the Ioway Indian tribe that was indigenous to the area. Mahaska County consists of 576 square miles or 366,080 acres, 96% of which is farmed. Today 1,309 acres of the county are managed as eighteen separate areas by the Mahaska County Conservation Board. The Iowa natural Heritage Foundation has been extremely helpful during the land acquisition process for many of these years
The Mahaska County Conservation Board was established in January 1975. The purpose of the Conservation Board is to provide quality parks, recreation, conservation, and environmental education opportunities for the public.
The five members of the Conservation Board are appointed by the Board of Supervisors for five year terms. They serve without pay, but receive their actual expenses incurred while carrying out their duties. The board meets on the third Monday of each month at 6:00 pm, and public participation is welcomed.
The Mahaska County Conservation Board seeks to ensure that future generations have ample opportunity to enjoy parks, natural resources and the scenic beauty that Mahaska County has to offer. The MCCB encourages your support in this goal.
Environmental Education is the cornerstone of the MCCB's conservation philosophy. Therefore, the MCCB is dedicated to educating the public to better understand, appreciate, and protect the environment that sustains us all. Our free quarterly newsletter, The Prairie Star, a monthly column in the local newspaper, weekly radio program, and programs presented to schools, clubs, civic groups, and community organizations are all geared towards this end.