The 3,881-acre Nodaway County Conservation Area in Holt and Andrew counties is a premier wetland destination for waterfowl hunters, birders, and hikers. Thanks to wetland development and native vegetation projects, the area has more than 2,000 acres of shallow wetland habitat and 400 acres of prairie and bottomland hardwood forest. The Nodaway River flows through the area and some bank fishing access is available. The area is a popular waterfowl hunting destination with blinds available to the public, including blinds designated for those with mobility challenges.

Statewide, MDC conservation areas cover almost one million public acres for the purpose of restoring and conserving forest, fish and wildlife resources, and for providing opportunities for all citizens to use, enjoy and learn about these resources. Most Missourians are within a 30-minute drive of an MDC conservation area.

Conservation Area Management Plans focus on natural resource management and public use on conservation areas. The plans do not address regulations on hunting, fishing and other area uses, which are set by the Conservation Commission and enforced under the Wildlife Code of Missouri. MDC will consider all ideas received and will work to balance the issues and interests identified with the responsibility of managing areas for the present and future benefits to forest, fish, wildlife, and people. Decisions on which ideas to incorporate into area plans and on how to best incorporate them will be based on the property’s purpose, its physical and biological conditions and capabilities, the best roles of the property in its local, regional and state-wide context, and on the professional expertise of MDC staff.