Van Buren County Conservation Board

Welcome to a virtual tour of the properties managed by the

VBCCB!

From top left-Jim Settles- retiring Executive DirectorBob Steingreaber- Board ChairmanSteve Hood- Board Member- FarmingtonNorma Witt- Board Member- DoudsDorothy Gilbert- Board Member- StockportCheryl Duke- Bentonsport Building Mgr.

Area Nearest Town/Village Acres North West Hunting(H), Fishing (F) Camping- Primitive(P), Modern(M)

Shidepoke Access Selma 1 40.52.243 092.09.522 F No

Douds Boat Ramp Douds 1 40.50.211 092.05.239 F No

Schulz Conservation Area Douds 2.5 40.47.870 092.00.230 H, F Yes- P only

Austin Park Pittsburg 15 40.46.003 091.58.234 F Yes- P only

Chequest Wildlife Area Pittsburg 30 40.45.290 092.00.789 H No

Daughrity Timber Keosauqua 80 40.41.773 091.57.959 H No

Sugema Recreation Area Cantril 35 40.40.930 091.59.764 F Yes- P and M

White Timber Farmington 10 40.38.713 091.46.876 H No

Bentonsport Bentonsport 70 40.43.541 091.51.240 H, F Yes- P and M

Des Moines River Access Bonaparte 1.5 40.40.264 091.45.494 F No

Lindsay Wilderness Bonaparte 260 40.42.071 091.47.387 H, F No

Morris Park Stockport 60 40.53.337 091.47.938 F Yes-P and M

Shidepoke Access- (Selma)

DNR owned, Managed by VBCCB

Douds Boat Ramp- (Douds)

No pictures- the ramp is currently being used by the Iowa DOT as a “staging/storage” site for replacement of the Douds-Leandobridge. We should get it back to it’s original purpose Summer 2015!

Schulz Conservation Area- (Des Moines river)No access, except via river! Discussions have been held

with the Iowa DNR about the possibility of a “primitive camping” area in conjunction with the Des Moines River Water Trail.

Austin Park- (Des Moines river)

A “problem child”- A huge ice jam in the Des Moines river caused extensive damage/destruction to camping facilities, and repeated flooding of this area make rebuilding a concern; additionally, the Board does not have the money required to completely repair/rebuild the facilities. We are continually looking at grant possibilities, repurposing, etc. The new Ex Dir/Op Mgr may have some new ideas!!!!

Chequest Widlife Area- (Pittsburg)

Borders the Van Buren County quarry- the lake in the picture is actually a quarry pit- but someday might be property that VBCCB could manage?

Daughrity Timber- (Keosauqua)

80 acres of timber that borders Lacey-Keosauqua State Park.

Sugema Recreation Area- (Keosauqua)

Our newest camping facilities! Great location, good usage numbers, and a portion of the property leased out to a private individual who provides cabin rental. Lake Sugema is 574 acres; the lake and the surrounding SugemaWildlife area is owned/managed by the Iowa DNR.

Bentonsport

A place where conservation meets historic preservation!

Campgrounds, recreation areas, and timber areas…..plus…..a number of historic buildings that serve as a anchor for shops, B & B’s, private businesses, etc.VBCCB hires a Bentonsport Building manager to operate the Greef Store and to manage and coordinate special events from April to October.

Des Moines River Access- (Bonaparte)

Like the Shidepoke Access- owned by DNR, managed by VBCCB.

White Timber- (Farmington)

Small parcel of land, but an example of a very impressive mature white oak timber!

Lindsay Wilderness- (Bonaparte)

Not a true “wilderness”, but little development, except for a trail system. The Board received some VERY generous donations from descendants of Dr. Lindsay, earmarked only for expenditure at this site!

Morris Park- (Stockport)

Another example of a park and a “historic area” combination. Dorothy Gilbert, Board member from the Stockport area, has been instrumental in obtaining private financial support and local resident support for this park!

I hope this gives you a little better idea of the properties that are currently managed by the Van Buren County Conservation Board!