Conservation board announces addition to
Langwood Education Center

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This article was written and posted on INHF's website in May 2003. 

"This is the opportunity we've been waiting for," said Greg Terry, member of the Louisa County Conservation Board, about a recent purchase of land adjoining Langwood Education Center near Grandview. "This will help our project gain momentum as we continue moving forward with our future plans."

Last year alone, more than 2000 people visited Langwood Education Center for an environmental education experience, with total usage topping 3000 people. "It's amazing how many more people are finding out about Langwood and bringing their students here," said Detra Dettmann, co-director of the Louisa CCB. "We view Langwood as an extension of the classroom and have designed many learning opportunities for this purpose. As our opportunities have grown, so has the number of visitors."

The Louisa CCB, along with input from a volunteer-based Langwood Advisory Committee, has made several improvements in the area in recent years. "We received grants to make improvements to the lodge and walkways, constructed a high ropes challenge course, and soon will be making improvements to the 5-acre pond," said Dettmann. "There has also been a lot of involvement from volunteer groups," Dettmann went on, "including a trail constructed by Boy Scouts, footbridges renovated by Izaak Walton League members, and this spring the Ikes will construct a new fishing dock, and another group of scouts will be revamping the campfire amphitheatre."

Langwood has been one of the biggest projects the Louisa CCB has taken on. "We see Langwood as a great opportunity for economic development in the county," said Julie Ohde, Louis CCB Executive Director. "I can't even remember all the times I've heard people say that one of our greatest resources in Louisa County is our natural resources." Ohde continued, "Our vision of developing a nature center and improved residential facilities is one way we hope to draw people to Louisa County."

In regard to the recent land purchase, the Louisa Advisory Committee felt acquiring this addition was very important for two reasons. "We have found we need improved access and parking, especially for schools bringing in more than one school bus," commented committee member and sixth grade teacher Mary Beth Carey. "Whether it be a large school group with buses and parents or a class reunion, the parking is minimal. Parking as well as other aspects of our present facility has just outgrown its clientele."

"The other reason we were especially interested in this 40-acre parcel was because out committee identified this as the best piece of adjoining property for future facility and habitat development for Langwood," Carey went on. After waiting for more than seven years for an opportunity, the parcel finally came up for sale at a public estate auction on May 1.

Like most public agencies, the Louisa CCB couldn't instantly raise the cash in time for the auction and so requested assistance from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF), a statewide nonprofit conservation organization. Louisa CCB plans to raise purchase funds from grants, cash rent, and donations to repurchase the site from INHF by 2008.

"One reason INHF was created was to solve timing problems like this," said Mark Ackelson, INHF president. "Thanks to our 5000 members, we can provide short-term private funding to acquire significant natural lands during the 'window of opportunity' when they're being sold. When public funds are available, Louisa CCB will repurchase the site from us for public use."

INHF has helped protect many other Louisa County sites over the years, including the Horseshoe Bend division of the Mark Twain National Wildlife Area, Indian Slough, Roudybush Wetland and Millrace Flats Wildlife Area.


For more information, e-mail Cathy Engstrom, Director of Communications, or call (515) 288-1846.

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