Official State of Iowa Website Here is how you know

Search for a News Release


Press/Media inquiries: PIO@dnr.iowa.gov


DNR News Releases

Archive by category: Take It Outside BlogReturn
RSS
4 tips for new paddlers

4 tips for new paddlers

  • 7/2/2019 11:48:00 AM
  • View Count 8758
Many Iowans love spending summertime paddling through the water. If you want to try paddling for the first time, check out these tips to get started:
How to choose the right life jacket

How to choose the right life jacket

  • 6/26/2019 1:41:00 PM
  • View Count 13170
Life jackets are a must for water safety, but finding the right fit can be tricky. Here’s some helpful tips in finding the right life jacket for you and your family: 
8 common fishing mistakes anglers make

8 common fishing mistakes anglers make

  • 6/18/2019 3:25:00 PM
  • View Count 21070
Most anglers dream of the perfect catch, but simple mistakes can prevent you from reeling in the fish. Here are some pitfalls to avoid when fishing:
5 hidden surprises at Stone State Park

5 hidden surprises at Stone State Park

  • 5/23/2019 11:45:00 AM
  • View Count 8920
Nestled in the northern portion of Iowa’s Loess Hills overlooking the South Dakota and Iowa border, Stone State Park is rich in local history, diverse plant life and rugged terrain.
Is it okay to look in a bird's nest?

Is it okay to look in a bird's nest?

  • 5/8/2019 12:46:00 PM
  • View Count 5574
This time of year is very busy outdoors. Birds are in the process of building and rebuilding nests, sitting on eggs or taking care of their young. Not all birds nest at the same time. Some start as early as mid-February, such as great horned owls. And some as late as August, such as the American goldfinch.
6 hidden surprises at Dolliver Memorial State Park

6 hidden surprises at Dolliver Memorial State Park

  • 5/8/2019 9:53:00 AM
  • View Count 13766
Located along the Des Moines River just south of Fort Dodge, Dolliver Memorial State Park is packed with hidden gems and unique natural history. With the help of park manager Kevin Henning, here’s six surprising facts about Dolliver worth knowing before visiting.
Make an Iowa State Park cabin your Spring Break destination

Make an Iowa State Park cabin your Spring Break destination

  • 3/6/2019 9:19:00 AM
  • View Count 6840
With spring break quickly approaching, make sure you set your plans now for a getaway in one of Iowa’s state park cabins! While the season isn’t in full bloom yet, don’t let that stop you from enjoying a stay at one of 10 state parks with available spring cabins. It’s easy to make an Iowa state park cabin your spring break destination:
How to identify Iowa's eagles

How to identify Iowa's eagles

  • 3/5/2019 10:38:00 AM
  • View Count 14024
Eagles are essentially massive hawks that are often seen perched in the open or soaring on very long broad wings.
Cool things you should know about jackrabbits

Cool things you should know about jackrabbits

  • 3/5/2019 9:29:00 AM
  • View Count 18694
Once a well-known resident of Iowa’s grasslands, the white-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii) calls Iowa home in much lower numbers today due to loss of habitat. However, they still remain one of Iowa’s most interesting mammals!
Wildlife in the Wood Shop

Wildlife in the Wood Shop

  • 2/26/2019 9:39:00 AM
  • View Count 5978
No, not the occasional rogue chipmunk that finds a way in and runs amok. We’re referring to building projects that help wildlife and which you can undertake in the coziness of your heated wood shop, while the snow flies outside.
Bald Eagle Midwinter Survey results are in

Bald Eagle Midwinter Survey results are in

  • 2/7/2019 4:19:00 PM
  • View Count 5752
Iowa is one of the most important wintering grounds for Bald Eagles with thousands of the huge raptors moving into the state from the north to join our resident breeding birds.  Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan all have some of the highest densities of nesting Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states and many of those eagles, especially from MN and WI move into Iowa during the winter months and frequently gather in large numbers around areas of open water to feed and roost. 
How Iowa's wildlife deals with extreme cold

How Iowa's wildlife deals with extreme cold

  • 1/29/2019 10:34:00 AM
  • View Count 12531
When wind chills dip so low that they can lead to frostbite in just minutes - you might be wondering how Iowa’s wildlife survives such brutal cold. Step back from the bread, eggs and milk aisles to learn how everything from mice to deer ride out the storm!
Meet Iowa’s sleepiest mammal

Meet Iowa’s sleepiest mammal

  • 1/15/2019 9:06:00 AM
  • View Count 13274
The thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus), colloquially known as “squinnies” in Iowa, spends more of the year asleep than awake.
10 fall favorite trout fishing streams

10 fall favorite trout fishing streams

  • 11/15/2018 2:17:00 PM
  • View Count 5938
Get out and explore northeast Iowa’s trout streams this fall. From easily accessible streams in state or county parks, to streams in Iowa’s most wild and remote natural spaces – there's a perfect spot for everyone.
Meet America's national mammal, the bison

Meet America's national mammal, the bison

  • 11/6/2018 2:31:00 PM
  • View Count 7760
While 20-30 million bison used to roam across North America, unregulated shooting and habitat loss led to their population to fall to only 1,091 by 1889.
Top 3 ways to handle fall leaves

Top 3 ways to handle fall leaves

  • 10/31/2018 1:54:00 PM
  • View Count 5810
Fall leaves are beautiful -- until they pile up in your yard. But don’t send those precious nutrients up in smoke. Instead, put them to good use. Your leaves, branches and other landscape materials can nourish your lawn, garden or community.
Help a Bat: Build a Bat House!

Help a Bat: Build a Bat House!

  • 10/31/2018 1:13:00 PM
  • View Count 10913
Bats are a great addition to any backyard - not only are their nightly aerial acrobatics fun to watch during the summer, they are also an excellent source of pest control and will kill loads of those pesky mosquitoes!
What to do when there are bats in your house or yard

What to do when there are bats in your house or yard

  • 10/25/2018 3:29:00 PM
  • View Count 15933
Bats are great neighbors - think of all those insects they eat for you - but not roommates. Here's how to give bats their own proper home in your yard but not your house.
7 lakes you’ve got to fish this fall

7 lakes you’ve got to fish this fall

  • 10/23/2018 3:27:00 PM
  • View Count 10755
Get out and enjoy Iowa’s fantastic fishing opportunities. The air is cool, the views are picturesque, lakes are less crowded and the fish are easy to catch.
7 hidden surprises at Yellow River State Forest

7 hidden surprises at Yellow River State Forest

  • 9/19/2018 10:12:00 AM
  • View Count 18356
With 8,900 acres of forest nestled in Iowa’s Driftless region, Yellow River State Forest holds its fair share of hidden surprises. With so many different options, you’re sure to find your peace in this special place of rugged tranquility. Here are the forest staff's top picks for your visit.
4 things to know before packing a cooler

4 things to know before packing a cooler

  • 8/27/2018 1:50:00 PM
  • View Count 6999
Packing a cooler may seem pretty simple – just throw in ice, right? But it’s a science and an art, one that will help any camping trip go smoother and safer. With a little preparation, packing a cooler is quite simple.
8 hidden surprises at Maquoketa Caves

8 hidden surprises at Maquoketa Caves

  • 8/21/2018 2:08:00 PM
  • View Count 18080
Maquoketa Caves State Park may be known for its caves and gorgeous scenery, but do you know about these “hidden surprises” suggested by park staff?
Don't trash these 8 things

Don't trash these 8 things

  • 8/15/2018 2:27:00 PM
  • View Count 14846
Each year, almost 3 million tons of trash end up in Iowa landfills, and of that, nearly 70 percent of the state’s landfilled municipal solid waste could have been diverted from the landfill through reuse, recycling and compost – or by not creating the waste at all. Help keep items out of landfills by following these easy tips!
Meet Iowa's smallest carnivore

Meet Iowa's smallest carnivore

  • 8/15/2018 9:54:00 AM
  • View Count 24746
Though they be but little, they are fierce! The least weasel (Mustela nivalis) is the smallest species of true carnivore, coming from the order Carnivora.
5 Fun Summer Fishing Getaways

5 Fun Summer Fishing Getaways

  • 7/30/2018 1:58:00 PM
  • View Count 7101
Take that long-needed break and go fishing with your family before the crazy back to school schedule starts!
6 tips for picking wild raspberries and strawberries

6 tips for picking wild raspberries and strawberries

  • 7/3/2018 11:23:00 AM
  • View Count 8519
Ripe berries taste like a pop of sunshine, even out of a grocery store box. But in Iowa, anybody can go find the real wild thing, and the taste is incredible. The only hard parts are identifying the berries and finding them before wildlife and other foragers do.
Choose your perfect fishing experience

Choose your perfect fishing experience

  • 6/13/2018 3:55:00 PM
  • View Count 7189
Getting outdoors and fishing is a little different for everyone. Some people want to get away from it all, and others enjoy a few extra amenities nearby to extend the fun. Whatever you prefer, we’ve got you covered! Here’s suggestions for some excellent Des Moines area fishing spots if…
Stay safe outdoors in hot weather

Stay safe outdoors in hot weather

  • 6/12/2018 2:51:00 PM
  • View Count 5118
There are many adventure-packed, outdoor summer activities to do in the sun, but it is crucial for your safety to know the proper precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses.
5 cool things you should know about worms

5 cool things you should know about worms

  • 5/15/2018 2:37:00 PM
  • View Count 57538
Most of us see earthworms after a long rainstorm, slinking across the sidewalk. You may have even eaten one or two after your friend dared you (although we wouldn’t recommend it!). While most of us dissected these critters in science class, how well do we remember our worm facts?
Build your own simple nest box for ducks

Build your own simple nest box for ducks

  • 4/12/2018 3:47:00 PM
  • View Count 23394
Get inspired to attract hooded mergansers and wood ducks to your area with these easy-to-make DIY nest box plans. They work best where these ducks love to nest—wooded wetlands, riverbanks and shorelines.
Fishing Frenzy: 2018 Fishing Forecast

Fishing Frenzy: 2018 Fishing Forecast

  • 3/28/2018 9:33:00 AM
  • View Count 18031
We have 10 categories of recommended angling fun—everything from beginner to challenging, best with a boat, off the beaten path, master angler worthy and best for the whole family. 
Cool things you should know about skunks (yes, skunks)

Cool things you should know about skunks (yes, skunks)

  • 1/8/2018 11:09:00 AM
  • View Count 39924
When you think of skunks, you probably think of their stinky spray or how they dig up your lawn. But did you know that they play an important role in insect control and sometimes even the production of fragrances?
All First Day Hikes for Jan. 1, 2018 Canceled Due to Frigid Temperatures

All First Day Hikes for Jan. 1, 2018 Canceled Due to Frigid Temperatures

  • 12/29/2017 2:25:00 PM
  • View Count 5422
DES MOINES – With temperatures predicted to dip well below zero, the Iowa DNR has decided to cancel First Day Hikes at 27 state parks scheduled for New Year’s Day. “While it’s a great disappointment to us to cancel this event, the safety of park visitors comes first,” said Todd Coffelt, State Parks Bureau Chief. “We know that frost bite can set in fairly quickly at those cold temperatures, so we are using caution in making this decision.”
Why doesn’t blaze orange give me away?

Why doesn’t blaze orange give me away?

  • 11/29/2017 10:57:00 AM
  • View Count 28785
If you’re trying to sneak up on a deer or pheasant, possibly decked out in some camouflage, it may not seem to make sense to top it off with a neon orange vest or hat. After all, wouldn’t that make you more noticeable?
9 ways to reduce food waste

9 ways to reduce food waste

  • 11/16/2017 10:52:00 AM
  • View Count 14076
Your parents told you to clean your plate for a good reason – Iowans send more than 190,000 tons of unopened, untouched food to the landfill.
Hiding Out in Union Grove

Hiding Out in Union Grove

  • 11/7/2017 2:27:00 PM
  • View Count 9908
Grab a backpack and discover this best-kept secret among Iowa’s state parks. Spend the day—or a season.
10 hidden surprises at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park

10 hidden surprises at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park

  • 10/16/2017 3:32:00 PM
  • View Count 22510
Tucked away in the southeast corner of the state, Lacey-Keosauqua is a bit of a hidden surprise in itself. But do you know about these other hidden gems, as suggested by park manager Justin Pedretti?
Page 2 of 11 [2]