Benton County Conservation Completes Funding for Wildcat Bluff Expansion with Community and REAP Support

December 16, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Shelby Williams, Director
Benton County Conservation
[email protected]
319-472-4942

Benton County Conservation Completes Funding for Wildcat Bluff Expansion with Community and
REAP Support

Vinton, IA – After 18 months of dedicated work and unprecedented community support, Benton
County Conservation is thrilled to announce the procurement of funds for the Wildcat Bluff
Recreation Area expansion! As of now, this land remains private. With the funding secured, the
next step will be completing the transfer of the property over the next several months to make
this property available for public use. This transformative project was made possible through
generous public contributions, community organizations, business partnerships, and a recently
awarded Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) grant. This acquisition has more than
doubled the size of the existing park, creating a 325 acre park with exciting opportunities for
recreation and conservation.

Through an extraordinary show of support, individual donors from the public contributed over
$600,000 of the $1.2 million acquisition. The remaining funding was secured through grant
awards and contributions from local organizations and businesses, highlighting the collective
commitment to this project. The project wouldn’t have been possible without the help of John
Tuthill and Wendling Quarries for bringing this opportunity to us. Our partnering organization,
the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF), played an invaluable role in bringing this vision to
life.

“We are immensely grateful for the overwhelming support from individuals, businesses, and our
partners, INHF and Iowa DNR’s REAP program,” said Shelby Williams, Director. “This project
has been a journey, and it’s inspiring to see the community come together to support
conservation and expand access to the outdoors.”
Thanks to the competitive REAP grant, Benton County Conservation has secured the final
funding necessary to complete the expansion, adding significant natural space that will support
outdoor activities, protect local wildlife, and preserve the region’s natural beauty for generations
to come.

Looking Ahead
While we are thrilled to announce the procurement of funds for the Wildcat Bluff expansion, we
do not yet have possession of the property. As such, the expanded area remains closed and
private until further notice. We anticipate the property will officially open to the public spring of
2025, and we are excited to welcome visitors once appropriate preparations are complete.
Please note that once it is open, hunting will be permitted on the entire property, making all of
Wildcat Bluff a lead-free birdshot and archery-only area. During certain times, recreation
opportunities may be temporarily affected as we manage the site for both public use and
conservation needs.

For more information on this project or upcoming events, Williams invites anyone interested in
learning more about the Wildcat Bluff expansion to email [email protected], call
319-472-4942, or go to www.bentoncountyia.gov/conservation. To learn more about REAP and
everything it does for Iowa, visit https://www.iowadnr.gov/conservation/reap.

About Wildcat Bluff Recreation Area
Wildcat Bluff Recreation Area is a treasured local destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a
range of recreational activities, including Iowa’s number one Disc Golf Course, scenic
landscapes, and opportunities to connect with nature. This new addition, made possible by the
community’s generosity, stands as a testament to the shared commitment to conservation and
outdoor access in Iowa.