Buchanan County Conservation
View Buchanan County parks and natural areas VIDEOS!
Come for a visit
Exploring Nature
Things to do
Baby Bison BINGO - get your card here
Create a BINGO card to enter play. Visit parks to find these bison and take a selfie photo. Complete a BINGO of 5 locations and win prizes! Complete Rules
Buchanan County Conservation Parks and Natural Areas are OPEN and we encourage you to visit, hike, fish, relax and enjoy the outdoors.
Fontana Interpretive Nature Center & Exhibits will be CLOSED
as a precaution against the spread of the Covid 19 virus
for the health and safety of our staff and visitors.
For answers to other urgent questions, call 319-636-2617. We will be checking our answering machine periodically.
ALL Programs and meetings are cancelled.
MILKWEED SEED PLANTING INFORMATION
Iron Bridge Access Update Information
Dan Cohen, Executive Director
Buchanan County Conservation Board
319-636-2617
Major changes are taking place at the Iron Bridge Access on the Wapsipinicon River between Independence and Quasqueton, making this key recreation area a state-recognized gateway to the Wapsipinicon River.
Status of the Iron Bridge Access will stay gravel until Spring of 2020.
Update for the coming week:
The full parking lot and ramp remain rocked and open for public use. Concrete is not expected to be poured during the coming week, but the rock is compacted and firm for driving and using the ramp.
Progress as of 9/3/19
Update 8/29/19
Update for Labor Day Weekend:Workers plan to have the full parking lot rocked and open for public use. The old ramp ramp was removed on Wednesday 8/28/19, however it will be rocked and ready to use for the weekend. Have a fun and safe holiday weekend!
Progress as of 8/28/19
For more information about the Iron Bridge Access Project click here.
View from new bridge of old access.
The Conservation Board offices are located at Fontana Park Interpretive Nature Center. Buchanan County Conservation Board provides parks, prairies, woodlands, wetlands, and river accesses for both people and wildlife. The Conservation Board manages 41 properties, and features an award-winning Environmental Education Program. The Conservation Board's mission is to "improve quality of life through programs of conservation and education."
Monday - Tuesday 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Weekends April 1st - October 31st 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Weekends November 1st - April 1st 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Winter: Nature Center may be closed if travel conditions are "Not Advised," please call in advance (319) 636-2617.
Upcoming Public Programs
All programs offered by the county conservation have been cancelled until
further notice due to the Covid 19 virus!
Last updated 3/16/20
Friends of Fontana Park
The Friends of Fontana Park (FFP) is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to help fund the Buchanan County Conservation Board's environmental education programs. The FFP provides most of the material costs for the wildlife display, nature center exhibits, quarterly newsletters, and some of the many educational programs and exhibits offered at Fontana and other Buchanan County parks. For more information on Friends of Fontana Park and how you can contribute to this 501c3 organization, click here to download a Friends of Fontana Park Donation Form.
WE NEED TO PROTECT IOWA’S NATURAL AREAS
• Roughly half of Iowa’s rivers, lakes, and streams fail to meet water quality standards
• Less than 10 percent of Iowa’s wetlands – natural spaces that help prevent flooding and provide habitat for wildlife – remain, amounting to a loss of 5 million acres of wetlands
• Over the last two decades, Iowa has lost more than 1.6 million acres of habitat suitable for pheasants and other small game
• Iowa loses an average of 5 tons per acre of soil, our major economic engine, each year to erosion
Click here to learn about Fund the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund
Find us on:
Would you like to find out more about wildlife, county programs, Iowa fishing reports and more? Please email dcohen@co.buchanan.ia.us to be placed on the Conservation List serve. You will receive approximately 2-3 emails a week about conservation programs in Iowa.
Our office is located in Hazleton at 1883 125th St.
Phone: (319)-636-2617
Fax: (319)-636-2624
Email: bccbscheduling@gmail.com