Benton County Conservation

Benton County Conservation strives to improve the quality of life for our citizens by providing recreational and educational opportunities that foster stewardship of our natural resources. For the benefit of the public, the Benton County Conservation manages 25 park lands equaling over 1700 acres, over 40 miles of trails, 225 campsites, a growing nature center, and offers high-quality educational programming in and out of the schools for over 7,000 educational contacts annually. We invite you to enjoy our quiet and serene natural areas, hiking and river trails, and campgrounds that offer outstanding recreational opportunities. Chapter 350 of the Code of Iowa states The Benton County Conservation Board's (BCCB) duty is to serve the residents of Benton County. The BCCB consists of five county residents appointed by the Board of Supervisors. History In 1955, the Iowa State Legislature passed a law providing for the creation of county conservation boards. In 1956, public vote of Benton County residents authorized the creation of the BCCB. The BCCB was one of sixteen counties in Iowa to make a conservation board that year and has been working on preserving Iowa’s natural heritage since that day. The BCCB built the first man made lake by a county conservation department in the state of Iowa, Hannen Lake. These properties include bike and hiking trails, preserves, boat ramps, and campground facilities.