Programs administered and services provided by the MCCB are related to natural resource management. Most of the public lands in the county are managed for wildlife, compatible recreation, and conservation education. The MCCB has more than 2,000 acres of land on 27 locations for camping, picnicking, fishing, canoeing, hiking, bicycle trails, forest areas, or native prairie. Some areas are designated wildlife refuge and others are open for public hunting. Marshall County Conservation Area Map

The MCCB  naturalist  conducts environmental education programs for school groups and the general public. In 2012 contact was made with nearly 5,300 people at 186 programs.

The MCCB publishes Seasons, a quarterly newsletter, as well as brochures about specific areas. To have the Seasons newsletter delivered to your e-mail address subscribe here.

To have announcements and reminders about upcoming events delivered to your e-mail address subscribe to our MCCB mailing list.

Conservation Center hours are: Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. - 12 noon Closed on County holiday

Please call us for more information.

Marshall County Conservation Board
2349 - 233rd St.
Marshalltown, IA 50158

Phone: 641-752-5490
FAX: 641-752-5496
e-mail: mccb@co.marshall.ia.us

Public Notice, Green Castle Lake Draw Down

Beginning the fall of 2012 Green Castle Lake will be drawn down 9’ from full pool level. The purpose of the draw down is to remove the presence of Common Carp that have continually degraded the fisheries of the lake since their discovery approximately 10 years ago. In late summer 2012 Iowa DNR Fisheries Biologists again surveyed the lake through electro shocking and determined up to half the live weight of fish is now consistent of Common Carp. The behavior of this invasive non-native fish species causes increased turbidity of the water and out competes with more desirable species of game fish.  During the survey in 2012 some game fish were found to still be present but not at population levels or sizes that indicate a healthy fisheries. By reducing the lake level, remaining fish will be confined to a smaller body of water making it easier for those fishing to catch. Regular Iowa State fishing rules and regulations are still in effect. However, the MCCB encourages anglers to keep and utilize all fish caught of legal size and limits. Catch and release is not advised because eventually all the fish need to be removed from the lake. The lake is expected to be lowered for approximately two years so the rough fish can be completely eliminated, silt removal work can be completed, and additional fish habitat structure can be added. The most efficient way to remove the Carp is to draw down the lake level and eventually remove all fish in the lake and begin again by restocking desirable species. Questions can be directed to the Marshall County Conservation Board offices at 641-752-5490.

Current News / Links of interest 

•  Conservation center feeder webcam
• This is a live view from the bird feeding stations at the Marshall County Conservation Boards Grimes Farm and Conservation Center. Donations in memory of Ruth Gage and honoring Martha Grimes Isaacson helped purchase the web cam. During the winter months northern migrants such as Dark eyed Juncos and Fox Sparrows are common along with permanent residents that use the feeding station including Cardinals, Chickadees, Blue Jays, White Breasted Nuthatches, Gold finches and Downy Woodpeckers among others. In the spring and summer, neotropical migrant bird species that spend the winter in South America and summer in Iowa frequent the feeders. These bird species include Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Indigo Buntings, Northern Orioles and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks.
• Bird Guide
  
• Upcoming Events and Programs
  
• Marshall County Conservation and Recreation Areas
• Hunting Information
• Fishing Information
• Equipment Rental
  
• Grimes Farm
• My County Parks
• Junior Naturalist Log Sheet
• Amateur Astronomers of Central Iowa
• Iowa DNR
• Iowa DOT Bike Path Map
• Find us on Facebook

Conservation Board 

• James Fitz                                                          
• Ray Helland
• Jeff Mathis
• Julie Stahl
• Jerry Gaffney

• Mike Stegmann - Director
• Diane Hall - Naturalist
• Tami Krough - Administrative Assistant
• Marty Malloy - Operations Supervisor
• Jeremiah Manken - Park Ranger & Maintenance  Technician