About

Mahaska County Conservation Board

  • Curt Jager, Eddyville -   Chairperson
  • Linda Fox , Rose Hill - Vice Chairperson
  • Jennifer Peterson, Oskaloosa  - Secretary
  • Chuck Webb, Oskaloosa - Member
  • Steve Dixon, 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, Executive Director
  • Laura DeCook, Environmental Education Coordinator
  • Tommy Van Renterghem, Park Ranger
  • Steve Nugteren, Park Ranger
  • Molly Hicks, Administrative Assistant/Naturalist

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.

Board Meetings

Current Fiscal Year

  • March 16, 2026 (March 2026 Mahaska County Conservation Board Meeting ) · Agenda
  • February 23, 2026 (February 2026 Mahaska County Conservation Board Meeting ) · Agenda
  • January 19, 2026 (January 2026 Conservation Board Meeting ) · Agenda · Minutes
  • December 15, 2025 (December 2025 Mahaska County Conservation Board Meeting ) · Agenda · Minutes
  • November 17, 2025 (November 2025 Mahaska County Conservation Board Meeting ) · Agenda · Minutes
  • October 20, 2025 (October 2025 Conservation Board Meeting ) · Agenda · Minutes
  • September 15, 2025 (September 2025 Conservation Board Meeting ) · Agenda · Minutes
  • August 18, 2025 · Agenda · Minutes
  • July 21, 2025 (July 2025 Conservation Board Meeting ) · Agenda · Minutes

2024 - 2025

  • June 16, 2025 (June 2025 Conservation Board Meeting ) · Agenda · Minutes
  • May 19, 2025 (May 2025 County Conservation Board Meeting ) · Agenda · Minutes
  • April 21, 2025 (April 2025 County Conservation Board Meeting ) · Agenda · Minutes
  • March 17, 2025 (March 2025 Conservation Board Meeting ) · Agenda · Minutes
  • February 28, 2025 (February 2025 special board meeting ) · Agenda · Minutes
  • February 24, 2025 (February 2025 Conservation Board Meeting ) · Agenda · Minutes
  • January 20, 2025 (January Conservation Board Meeting ) · Agenda · Minutes
  • December 27, 2024 (December 2024 Special Board Meeting ) · Agenda · Minutes
  • December 16, 2024 (December 2024 Conservation Board Meeting ) · Agenda · Minutes
  • November 22, 2024 (November Special Conservation Board Meeting ) · Agenda · Minutes
  • November 18, 2024 (November Conservation Board Meeting ) · Agenda · Minutes
  • October 21, 2024 (October Conservation Board Meeting ) · Agenda · Minutes
  • September 16, 2024 (September Conservation Board Meeting ) · Agenda · Minutes
  • August 19, 2024 (August Conservation Board Meeting ) · Agenda · Minutes
  • July 26, 2024 (July Special Board Meeting ) · Agenda · Minutes
  • July 15, 2024 (July Board Meeting ) · Agenda · Minutes

2023 - 2024

2022 - 2023