The IDNR encourages the protection of natural resources during woodland management activities by providing technical assistance through the department’s District Foresters.

Planning assistance is available from

IDNR Forestry Bureau
Wallace State Office Building
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Phone: 515/242-6898, Fax: 515/281-6794

DNR Forestry Districts

Consulting Foresters

Iowa Consulting Foresters are professionals whose services are available to anyone on a fee or contractual basis.  Services to woodland owners include planning, protection and management of their land to meet the landowner’s objectives.

Information and education about woodland resources and management is available from:

ISU Forestry Extension
251 Bessey Hall
Ames, IA  50011
Phone: (515) 294-1168, Fax: (515) 294- 2995

Cost Share Programs

Cost share assistance may be available to woodland owners to implement management practices.

Practices that may be cost shared include:

1. Tree planting
2. Woodland improvement
3. Fencing to protect from livestock grazing damage
4. Wildlife habitat enhancement
5. Streamside (riparian) protection and improvement

For more information please contact your local IDNR District Forester or IDNR State Forest Nursery

Low cost, high quality tree and shrub seedlings for conservation plantings are available each year for spring planting.  Contact the nursery at 1-800-865-2477 for additional information or an order form.

IDNR Shelterbelt Program

IDNR Wildlife Bureau participates in a cost-sharing program to establish tree and shrub shelterbelts around farmsteads.  The shelterbelts must be from 8 to 14 rows. The IDNR provides 75 percent of the cost.  The shelterbelts are to provide winter cover and habitat for wildlife.

IDNR Wildlife Bureau
Wallace State Office Building
502 E. 9th Street
Des Moines, IA  50319.
Phone: (515) 281-8664; Fax: (515) 281-6794.

Iowa Forest Reserve Law

To encourage proper stewardship, the Iowa Forest Reserve Law exempts certain woodlands from property taxes.  To qualify, the woodland must be:

1. Minimum of two acres
2. At least 200 trees per acre
3. No domestic livestock grazing

Harvesting of trees is permitted. Application is made at the County Assessor’s office.

Publications Forestry Extension at Iowa State University has publications on tree planting and woodland management.  For a list of available publications contact:

ISU Forestry Extension
251 Bessey Hall
Ames, IA  50011
Phone: (515) 294-1168, Fax: (515) 294- 2995

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