Decatur County Conservation Board

09/01/2026

Be sure to go and give the new Little River Archery Range page a follow! There is a group getting together to bring this archery range back to life and we can't wait to see the improvements as they happen 🏹

08/31/2026

This past Saturday, Director/Naturalist Kayla Clausen took part in the 18th Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Congress held in the House of Representatives chamber at the Iowa State Capitol. This Congress takes place every two years.

During this event, Kayla met with 79 other delegates selected from all over Iowa during summer assemblies to make recommendations to Iowa’s Legislature regarding the REAP program and conservation in Iowa. Delegates also got the chance to tour the State Capitol building and learn about its history.

Learn more about REAP here: https://www.iowadnr.gov/programs-services/resource-enhancement-protection-reap

08/27/2026

We’re excited to introduce our 3 year old female Western Hognose Snake! This sweet girl doesn’t have a name just yet, but she’s already settling into her new role as our newest animal ambassador at the Savanna Hills Learning Center!🐍

Western hognose snakes are native to Iowa, but they have become increasingly rare in the state and are currently listed as Endangered in Iowa. They prefer open prairie habitats with sandy or gravelly soils, where their signature upturned snout works like a tiny shovel for burrowing and searching for food.

These snakes are also famous for their flair for the dramatic! When frightened, a western hognose may flatten its neck, hiss, bluff a strike, or even roll over and play dead. Despite the dedicated performance, they are not considered dangerous to people.

As an animal ambassador, our newest resident will help visitors learn about one of Iowa’s lesser known native reptiles and why protecting our remaining prairie habitats is so important.🌾

A special thank you to Cold Blooded Crypt for helping make her addition to the Savanna Hills Learning Center possible!

We would love to hear your ideas for her new name by commenting below!👇

08/25/2026

We are working towards updating our smaller outlying parks, and the first step was a new roof on the shelter at Kobville Park! Thank you to Cowden Construction & Preservation for knocking this project out and making a major upgrade to the park 😄

08/24/2026

We love hearing testimonials from park users! Nothing makes us happier than when we know that you all enjoy and appreciate the parks here in Decatur County 🤎

“We had another wonderful experience at the lake, as usual! Thanks for everything you guys do! We really appreciate it! I love seeing positive things about Little River. It's such a special place for me & my family! ❤️ - The Harvey’s”

Pictured below: Dustin Harvey with his nice catfish he caught at Little River 🎣

08/14/2026

Swimming is NOT recommended at the Little River Recreation Area Beach at this time. We will continue monitoring the water and provide an update when the advisory can be lifted.
Our most recent beach water sample exceeded the single sample maximum for E. coli. Because the beach has also been classified as vulnerable based on water quality data from the previous two recreation seasons, an advisory has been posted. State monitoring guidelines use a 5-week geometric mean maximum of 126 MPN/100 mL when evaluating E. coli levels.