The August 10, 2020 derecho caused significant damage to the woodland areas of Wanatee Park, managed by Linn County Conservation. In the winters of 2021 and 2022, a major salvage harvest of approximately 300 acres was completed. Fifteen acres has been prepped for re-planting of mixed hardwoods to bring the forest back to its historically natural condition of oaks, basswood, black cherry, black walnut, and shagbark hickory. Tremendous amounts of non-native invasives, such as barberry and oriental bittersweet, have been removed. This allows for the planting of new mixed hardwood seedlings and the continued treatment of invasive species. The project is funded by an Iowa Department of Natural Resources bat conservation grant awarded to Linn County Conservation.
The Linn County Conservation and Conservation Corps Iowa will plant 775 new native trees in Wanatee Park April 29.
The planting event is located on the western portion of Wanatee Park. The parking lot/entrance is in the 200 block of Lakeside Drive, Marion.