Conservation boards also help educate local residents about the natural world in which we live, and administer roadside vegetation management programs.


  Marion County, Iowa - Conservation

In 1955, the Iowa State Legislature passed a law permitting counties to establish County Conservation Boards. The Marion County Conservation Board was established by a vote of the people in the Fall of 1956 and became one of the 16 charter members of the first county conservation boards in the State of Iowa. The Conservation Board began operations in December of 1956.

Conservation boards are local natural resource management and outdoor recreation agencies whose responsibilities are the following: to acquire, develop, maintain and make available public museums, parks, preserves, parkways, playgrounds, recreation centers, forests, wildlife and other conservation areas, to encourage the orderly development and conservation of natural resources and to provide adequate programs of public recreation.

Conservation boards also help educate local residents about the natural world in which we live, and administer roadside vegetation management programs.

County conservation boards have been created in all of Iowa's 99 counties and are governed by Chapter 350 of the Code of Iowa.

The law that the legislators developed is very broad. Their intent is to allow each county to create a program to fit the natural resources that are available and to meet the needs of the community. In order to make this law work, each county needs to develop a governing body. Each County Board of Supervisors selects five citizens within the county to serve a five-year term with no monetary compensation. Those people that are selected show or demonstrate an interest in the environment and conservation. It is this group that sets the policies for the county parks and programs.

When traveling, look for the "Arrowhead" transportation directional sign which will direct you to one of these fine areas.

Arrowhead transportation directional sign


Do you have a question about one of our parks. Click here to see a list of Frequently Asked Questions about our parks and the Conservation Board.


Cordova Park Cabins Information

Click here to email for additional cabin and park information.


Click here for the Marion County Conservation Board newsletter "In A Nutshell" including information about park projects, upcoming events, and much more!

Click here to make an email request to be placed on the mailing list to receive a printed copy of the "In A Nutshell" newsletter.


Click here for Maps of Marion County Parks


Young Osprey Take Flight!

Click here for additional information

Young Osprey Take Flight

Hunter Safety Education

Iowa law requires that anyone born after January 1, 1972 must be certified in hunter education before they are eligible to purchase an Iowa hunting license. Locally, hunter education classes are provided through a cooperative effort between the DNR, the Marion County Conservation Board, and the Marion County Sportsman's Club. For information you may contact Ken Kenyon at (641) 891-1246, or click on the links listed on the right.

Eagles photographed at 2007 Fall Migration Celebration

Department Head Name:
Steve Edwards, Director sedwards@co.marion.ia.us

Address of
Conservation office:
214 E Main Street
4th Floor of Courthouse
Knoxville Iowa 50138


Hours Office is open:
Courthouse Office
Monday - Friday
8:00 A.M - 4:30 P.M.
Schedule varies, please call ahead to verify office is open

Marion County Park
Monday - Friday
7:30 A.M - 4:00 P.M.
Schedule varies, please call ahead to verify office is open

Roberts Creek Park
Monday - Friday
7:30 A.M - 4:00 P.M.
Schedule varies, please call ahead to verify office is open

Cordova Park
Monday - Friday
7:30 A.M - 4:00 P.M.
Schedule varies, please call ahead to verify office is open

Phone Number:
(641) 828-2213

FAX Number:
(641) 828-2216



Park Rangers:

Dave McKinney
Marion County Park
306 Willets Drive
Knoxville, Iowa 50138
Direct (641) 828-2214
marioncopark@iowatelecom.net

Mike Kalkwarf
Roberts Creek Park
1617 Fillmore Dr
Otley, Iowa 50214
Direct (641) 627-5507
robertscreek@iowatelecom.net

Ross Tuel
Cordova Park
1378 Highway G28
Otley, Iowa 50214
Direct (641) 627-5935
cordova@dishmail.net

Marla Mertz, Naturalist
mrmnat@msn.com

Cordova Park
1378 Highway G28
Otley, Iowa 50214


Conservation Forms:
Downloadable forms
used in the Conservation office



Conservation Links:

Red Rock Area Website

Lake Red Rock Information:

Red Rock Lake Association

Corps Lakes Gateway

Corps of Engineers-Lake Red Rock

DNR - State of Iowa

Other Related Links:
Iowa Association of
County Conservation Boards


MyCountyParks.com
(County Parks in Iowa)


Hunter Safety Education - Marion County

DNR - Hunter Education
 
             

Marion County Iowa sunsets

Memorial Park in Marion County Iowa

Red Rock area shoreline - come visit Marion County Iowa

Chief Golden Eagle - Yankton Nation