Area Conservation Goes Back to Depression

By Andy Piper

News You can use The Dubuque County Conservation Society is hosting its 75th Anniversary Celebration at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 5, at Swiss Valley Nature Center, 13606 Swiss Valley Road. Speakers include Mark Ackelson, of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, and a representative from the Aldo Leopold Foundation. Exhibits include framed correspondence from Ding Darling and Aldo Leopold, as well as society records since 1933. Light refreshments will be served.

The next time you enjoy a day at Swiss Valley Park, Mud Lake or White Pine Hollow, remember to give some credit to the Dubuque County Conservation Society.

The group that initiated efforts to create those recreation areas and many others, is celebrating its 75th anniversary Saturday, April 5, at Swiss Valley Nature Center.

The society got its start in April 1933 when a group of 35 citizens formed a plan to save a stand of white pines north of Dubuque, near Luxemburg. They set out to raise $2,500 to purchase the property, and soon 112 pledges of $100 were secured. White Pine Hollow – a 712-acre state preserve – emerged, and in 1972 it was designated a National Natural Landmark.

“You have to remember that when this thing started, it was still the Great Depression,” said Dave Leifker, a longtime society member and former president of the group. “The local big shots got behind this White Pine Hollow and donated hundreds, which would be like donating thousands now.”

From Maus Park and Miller-Riverview Park to Julien Dubuque’s Grave and the Mines of Spain, the group’s influence runs deep. More recently, the society has worked on the Leo McLaughlin Habitat Area near Cascade and the expansion of Camp Klaus near Colesburg.

Of all of the society’s accomplishments in land acquisition, preservation and education, Leifker also is proud of something else.

“Up until about 20 or 30 years ago, county government was really slow to get parks going,” Leifker said. “We bought the first land at Mud Lake, Massey Station and Swiss Valley and eventually turned it over to the county. That helped get them on their way. Now they’ve done Bankston, New Wine and Whitewater Canyon.”

And perhaps in another 75 years, many more.

Originally published by Andy Piper TH staff writer/apiper@wcinetcom.

(c) 2008 Telegraph – Herald (Dubuque). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.