News Flash

Dr. James (Jim) Colbert, an Ames resident, was recently appointed as the newest Story County Conservation Board member.

Restoration of two South Skunk River oxbows at Wicks Wildlife Area near Story City is now complete, marking the first finished project funded through the Story County Water & Land Legacy (SCWLL) Bond.

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026

Oak wilt, a fatal fungal disease, has been identified at Hickory Grove Park and Story County Conservation (SCC) is moving quickly with preventative measures to protect healthy trees nearby. To mitigate the spread of disease throughout the park, crews will soon begin the difficult but necessary removal of oak trees between Oriole Ridge Lodge and Bobwhite Shelter.

Oak wilt is an aggressive disease that can be carried by beetles and travel through interconnected root systems. It was first observed in the park in 2018 and has been under close surveillance since. SCC attempted fungicide treatments and select tree thinning to reduce the spread, but these efforts did not solve the issue. 

SCC has developed an Oak Wilt Management Plan with guidance from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). More details about the Management Plan, and oak wilt in general, will be available soon.

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