The Butler County Conservation Board invites you to explore and enjoy the variety of lands that we manage for public use. The rich diversity of these areas offers something of interest for everyone.

For more details on each campgrounds, public hunting area, prairies, preserves, programs and bike trail information visit the below website:
County Parks in Butler County, Iowa (mycountyparks.com)

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Rolling Prairie Bike Trail - Butler County, Iowa | Facebook

Conservation Board Members

Meredith Borchardt, Clarksville
Fern Feldman, Allison
Kelly Harken, Aplington
Mark O'Brien, Greene
Ryan Schrage, Parkersburg

 
Conservation Board Staff

Matt Morris - Executive Director
Calvin Steere - Operations Supervisor
Annette Wittrock - Naturalist
Chad Price - Park Technician


Board Meetings

The Butler County Conservation Board holds meetings on the second Wednesday of each month. Meetings are usually held at 6:30pm at the Allan and Fayette Meyer Nature Center near Clarksville. Agendas are posted prior to the meeting at the Courthouse in Allison.

Park Rules

The Butler County Conservation Board has adopted the following rules for all areas under their management so that everyone can continue to enjoy the recreational opportunities they provide today and in the future. A complete list of rules is available from the Butler County Conservation Headquarters.

  • Vehicles may only be operated on roadways and designated parking lots. Park roads are public roads and operators of motor vehicles must have a valid license.
  • Speed limit is 15 mph on all park roads unless otherwise posted.
  • Camping is allowed only in designated areas. All campers are required to register at the beginning of their stay. Butler County Parks have a two-week maximum stay limit.
  • Please use facilities provided for picnics. Fires are allowed only in established fire rings or grills.
  • "Pack it in - Pack it out" is the rule for all trash.
  • Pets must be leashed at all times except in areas open to public hunting.
  • Swimming is not permitted in any Butler Conservation Board area.
  • Firearms are permitted only in areas designated for public hunting.
  • All State and Federal Fish and Wildlife Laws apply on lands maintained by the Butler County Conservation Board. Length limits for fish follow state standards unless otherwise posted.

Contact Information 

Butler County Conservation
27887 195th Street
Clarksville, IA 50619

Phone Number 319-278-4237
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

History of the Conservation Board System in Iowa

In 1943, the State Conservation Commission staff presented a bill to the Iowa General Assembly that would permit the establishment of conservation-recreation agencies at the county level. The staff of the Iowa Conservation Commission, sportsman's groups, interested individuals and legislators worked on this bill until it appeared in an acceptable form and was passed by the Iowa General assembly in 1955.

The passage of this bill made possible Section 111A (now Section 350) to the Code of Iowa. This section established specific purposes of the conservation board program. It reads, "...To create a county conservation board. To authorize counties to acquire, develop, maintain, and make available to the inhabitants of the count, public parks, preserves, parkways, playgrounds, recreation centers, museums, county forests, wildlife, and other conservation areas, to promote and preserve the health and general welfare of the people, to encourage the orderly development and conservation of natural resources, and to cultivate good citizenship by providing adequate programs of public recreation."

Trail History

The Iowa - Pacific Railroad Company began the construction of the railroad bed in 1871. In 1873 with the railroad bed completed to the Franklin County line, the company could not get funding from its original investors, so it raised about $3,000,000 through the sale of bonds. In 1874, the construction began again and was completed to Waverly, IA.

In 1878, the assets were taken control of by the Dubuque and Dakota Railroad Company and the line was completed from Hampton to Elkport in Clayton County. The final use of the bed as a railroad was by the Chicago Northwestern Railroad Company in the 1980's and Iowa Northern in the 1990's.

Coming Soon

For more information about these or other programs of the Butler County Conservation Board contact Heery Woods Nature Center at (319) 278-1130.

Join the Excitement...
... at Heery Woods Nature Center

Come observe...
...the many different species of flowers and wildlife that abound in the preserves and refuges managed by the Butler County Conservation Board.

Fins and Feathers...
...small game or big game, in the water, on the uplands, or in the forest, whatever you are looking for, the Butler County Conservation Board has something to offer you.

Quiet and Relaxing...
...are two words that describe the camping areas managed by the Butler County Conservation Board.

Camping Sites at Butler County Parks are available on a "first-come, first-serve basis" only.  No reservations are currently offered.

Butler County offers free camping on Wednesday nights excluding holidays.

 

The Butler County Conservation Board invites you to explore and enjoy the variety of lands that we manage for public use. The rich diversity of these areas offers something of interest for everyone.