Welcome
The O’Brien County Conservation Board was formed in 1964 by the decision of the county’s voters. The purpose of the board, which is supported by Iowa law, is to acquire, develop, maintain and make available to the inhabitants of the county, public museums, parks, preserves, parkways, playgrounds, recreational centers, county forests, wildlife and other conservation areas, and to promote and preserve the health and general welfare of the people, to encourage the orderly development and conservation of natural resources, and to cultivate good citizenship by providing adequate programs of public recreation.
Visit the Prairie Heritage Center
Experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the tallgrass prairie! Enjoy the displays, hike the trails, savor the wildflowers, and engage in bird and wildlife watching. There is so much to do at the Prairie Heritage Center.
Visit Our Parks
The O'Brien County Conservation Board manages 942 acres of land in 26 locations throughout the county for outdoor recreation and wildlife benefits. We want you to spend time enjoying your outdoor areas!
Environmental Education & Programs
O'Brien County Conservation Board is committed to providing educational opportunities that enhance outdoor experiences for all ages. We do this through school programs, field trips, library programs, public programs, summer camps, partnerships with other groups, and so much more!
Latest News & Announcements
Can You Canoe (or Kayak)? Paddling Adventure
Let’s hit the water at Mill Creek Park for this month’s Nature Nut series. Participants will learn paddling skills and get to try out canoes and kayaks. Be prepared to have fun (and maybe get wet) on Tuesday, June 22 at 5:30 p.m. This program will be led by Naturalist, Abbie Parker, who is a…
Prairie Heritage Center: Updated Hours
The Prairie Heritage Center hours have changed due to a lack of volunteers to help on Sunday afternoons. Please note that hours at the Prairie Heritage Center will be Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday hours will resume when we have enough volunteers. If…
Check out our new addition: Bison Calf
What an exciting week at the Prairie Heritage Center as a Bison calf was born! We believe it was born over the weekend as we discovered it on Monday, April 26th. It was a great way to start a Monday morning! Bison cows, the female, are able to start reproducing around 2-3 years of age.…