Louisa County Conservation

05/22/2026

Flaming Prairie Campground will be open for Memorial Day Weekend but the water will not be turned on.

05/21/2026

The Museum at Toolesboro National Historic Landmark has had some dramatic updates! Due to some surprise plumbing issues - it will NOT be opening Memorial Day as planned. Hopefully it will be open by the end of May so stay tuned for updates!

05/08/2026

Join us for a collaborative Summer Reading Kickoff program with Columbus Junction Public Library! Enjoy our very own “100-acre wood” with nature activities and adventures at Chinkapin Bluffs!

We're kicking off summer reading in style - by celebrating 100 Years in the 100 Acre Wood at our very own Chinkapin Bluffs! Louisa County Conservation and the Columbus Junction Public Library will have a variety of activities/stations, crafts, snacks, and all the information you'll need for a wonderful summer - all wrapped up in a Winnie the Pooh theme. Grab calendars, get signed up for Beanstack, and enjoy the park as well!
Everyone who attends receives a ticket into a door prize drawing for 4 free admissions to Huck's Harbor Water Park at Fun City to use any time this summer. We can't wait to see you there!
This is an open house style event - pop in when you can and stay as long as you'd like! We do ask that anyone under the age of 12 attend with an adult.

04/17/2026

With mushroom season underway, we are going to leave the gate along X61 unlocked at Flaming Prairie. However, keep in mind that the campground is closed and the boat access is totally flooded, so drive with caution as you approach the landing. Stay safe and happy exploring!

04/09/2026

Exciting things are happening at Virginia Grove Park this Spring!

The end of the pond road is filled with rock and there’s a new solar panel on the dam. A solar powered aerator has been installed in the pond to help circulate oxygen to improve fish health. The rock will be used for bank stabilization and shoreline fish habitat creation.

This project is funded by an Iowa DNR Fish Habitat Grant which takes YOUR hunting and fishing license fees and puts them to work at County Conservation areas throughout the state.

04/08/2026

Have you been putting off spring cleaning?

Come join us for our final Pick Up the Parks program!

Our last two events had tons of amazing volunteers that changed what our local parks look like. Be part of that change, join us on Wednesday.

Link to event:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1Lw1wwa2K2/

04/08/2026

We love to fish! Sometimes they're big fish, sometimes they're small, sometimes you need a magnifying glass to see them at all.

If you are spring cleaning this season and would like to donate your gently used fishing rods and reels to us, we will happily accept them. Fishing gear gets used at some spring field trips and during summer camp!

You can reach out to us for pickup or donations can be dropped off outside the LCC Office.

04/02/2026

Come join us for a short, guided hike of Iowa's spring ephemerals!

Together we will walk less than a mile to discover a variety of unique plants that have a fleeting life cycle. We will learn about the cultural ties, fun scientific properties, and the magic of what these early blooming plants have to offer!

Event posting: Let us know you are coming!
https://www.facebook.com/share/1CKDXSAYRn/

04/02/2026

Calling all youth entering 8th-12th grade in Fall of 2026! Join us for our River Raiders camp this summer where we spend three days, two nights paddling the beautiful Upper Iowa River near Decorah. Camp, paddle, wade and float, hike to waterfalls, fish, and more!
Register at LouisaCountyConservation.org. Full scholarships are available, send us a message, call, or email to get more information!

03/27/2026

On March 21st, a large group of dedicated volunteers traveled to the Port Lousia National Wildlife Refuge Inlet Tubes and boat ramp, along with Klum Lake to pick up the parks!

In total we had over 15+ trash bags, 8 tires, 2 box springs, a picnic table, a T.V, and more removed from the wildlife areas. All of these materials no longer have a chance to leak chemicals, and infiltrate our soil, water, and natural resources.

Louisa County Conservation, Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, and the Iowa DNR are beyond grateful for these amazing volunteers, and their service in the community!

This project couldn't have happened without the support from the Lousia County Solid Waste Transfer station, Wemiga Waste, and most importantly, YOU!

Stay tuned for our final Pick Up the Parks event, on Earth Day, April 22, 2026!

Photo credits 1+ 2: Kennith Johnson

03/16/2026

Conservation office is closed today, Monday March 16, 2026.

The Courthouse is also closed.

Stay safe and warm!