Lindsay Wilderness Area

Some 200acres of woods and hiking trails run along the northeast side of Bonaparte, and more visiting vacationers are utilizing the area for long walks, mushroom hunting and bird-watching.

The Wilderness Area also serves as public hunting grounds during the various hunting seasons.

The Lindsay Wilderness Area features second growth and some virgin timber that includes scattered regions of butternut, walnut, sugar maple and hornbeam. A wide variety of native shrubs such as blackberry, raspberry, hawthorne, hazel bush, redbud, and dogwood are scattered throughout. Scenic Christy Creek meanders through the area

Chequest Wildlife Area

Two miles west of Pittsburg, the Conservation Board manages 38 acres of cropland for wildlife habitat. Much of the area is planted in prairie grass.

Wildlife found here could include deer, pheasant, turkey, and quail. Beaver inhabit nearby Chequest Creek

Schulz Conservation Area

Located 2 miles west of Kilbourn on the south side of the Des Moines River. This 2 acre area is managed as a natural area and is accessible only by way of the Des Moines River. Primary use is wildlife habitat and a landing for canoeists.

America's national bird, the Bald Eagle, can be seen many places along the Des Moines River during the Winter months. They are a sight to behold.

White Timber

John and Alva Cass donated a 10 acre tract of virgin timber to the Van Buren County Conservation Board to be preserved in its native state and be utilized for the benefit of the public. This area will be a unique asset to the Board's present program because there are no other known virgin timber tracts in the county. This timber is located 2.8 miles past the Bonaparte turn off from highway #2 heading east. It lies about a hundred feet south of the highway. This area may be used by the public for hiking, hunting, and nature study.

Reno Timber

A 60 Acre public hunting area joining Lindsey Wilderness Area on the east.

Bentonsport Timber

This 60 acre timber/prairie is located at the Northeast edge of Bentonsport and is open to public hunting and hiking.

Daugherty Timber

An 83 acre hardwood forest used for public hunting located .8 miles west of Highway #1 on 240th Street.

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