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Conservation Group Shutting Down

An organization focused on conservation and community development in southeast Iowa will soon be no more.

Geode Resource Conservation and Development(RC&D) was created in 1974 to serve Lee, Des Moines, Henry, Louisa and Washington Counties.

The organization lost its federal funding in 2011, though, leading to the reduction of most of its staff.

Lee County Supervisor Ernie Schiller serves as Vice Chairman for Geode RC&D’s Board of Directors.

He says the panel has authorized the dissolution of the organization as of June 30, 2013.

Schiller says Geode RC&D has done a lot of good for southeast Iowa, adding that it will be missed.

The organization has been directly involved in Lee County’s Buy Fresh, Buy Local movement and in the construction of the county’s two recreational cabins along Wilson Lake.

Schiller says the services provided by Geode will be split between multiple, regional agencies, including Pathfinders RC&D out of Fairfield.

He anticipates $5,000 - $10,000 to be left over after the dissolution, with the money being split between the five member counties.

Geode’s oversight board is recommending the money be used for conservation.