News

Virtual Nature Conservation Book Club
Reading can take you on adventures to different places, cultivate new hobbies, and expand your knowledge. New for 2021, O’Brien County Conservation Board and the Hartley Library are proud to offer a virtual book club that will focus on nature and conservation. A variety of books, both non-fiction and fiction, have been chosen to discuss…

Visit the Prairie Heritage Center for an Information Scavenger Hunt
Join us at the Prairie Heritage Center this December and January for an Information Scavenger Hunt. Using your best sleuthing skills around the Center you can find the answers to the clue sheet that can be picked up at the front desk. You will use the displays…

Welcome Abbie Parker, O’Brien County Naturalist!
The O’Brien County Conservation Board is excited to announce that Abbie Parker has joined our team! Abbie began serving as the O’Brien County Naturalist on December 1. She is looking forward to providing programming and educational opportunities for the citizens and visitors of O’Brien County to enjoy. Please find her introduction letter and contact information…

Working Document Regarding Multiple Usage Areas
At the O’Brien County Conservation Board meeting held on November 11, 2020, the public was informed by the board chairman that information regarding multiple usage areas in neighboring counties is being gathered for the board to review. Click here to see the working document containing some research that has been gathered thus far: Notes on…

Updated COVID-19 Guidelines for Prairie Heritage Center
We are taking extra precautions at the Prairie Heritage Center to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep our community safe. Here is what visitors can expect at this time. If you are sick, please do not visit at this time. Please maintain a 6 foot distance between yourself and others at all times.…

OCCB Seeks Applicants for Director Position
The O’Brien County Conservation Board is hiring a Director that is under the supervision of the O’Brien County Conservation Board members, serves as the chief executive officer, and is responsible to plan, coordinate, direct, and oversee all aspects of the County Conservation Board program and department. The Director oversees the administration of the Conservation Board…

O’Brien County Beaver Tail Bounty
O’Brien County will be offering a bounty of $35.00 per tail for beavers taken during the 2020 – 2021 trapping season. The maximum that will be paid out is $5,000.00. Beavers will be accepted at the Mill Creek Park Conservation Board Shop, 5660 460th St., Paullina on Mondays from 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. The first…

Hunter Safety Field Day September 12, 2020
The O’Brien County Conservation Board will be holding a hunter safety field day on September 12, 2020 at the Crosbie Wildlife and Nature Youth Center. Visit https://register-ed.com/events/view/161776 to register for this course!

Life Jackets and Stand Donated by UnityPoint Health St. Luke’s
The O’Brien County Conservation Board would like to sincerely thank Amanda Monroe-Rubendall and UnityPoint Health St. Luke’s for their very generous donation of life jackets and a life jacket stand for Mill Creek Park! Paullina Building Center donated the lumber used to build the stand. These life jackets will be kept near the beach area…

Douma Park Renovations Complete!
The long-awaited opening of Douma Park has finally arrived! The park rangers and contractors have done an amazing job on the upgrade. Visitors will hardly believe that it is the same park! The shower facility is an outstanding addition to the park. This amenity alone will transform the park into a modern, attractive location. Be…

Prairie Heritage Center Open on Saturdays!
The Prairie Heritage Center is entering another phase of reopening. Beginning July 11, 2020, we will again be welcoming guests on Saturdays between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Visitors are also welcome Wednesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We have developed some guidelines to help us ensure the safety…

Get to Know our Areas: Round Two!
Most people are familiar with one or two areas that the conservation board manages. This summer there is an opportunity to explore more! The “Get to Know the Conservation Board Areas” activity will give you a guided plan to check out 19 of the 25 areas managed by the conservation board. Download the form or…