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Join the 2023 First Day Hike Challenge!

Join the 2023 First Day Hike Challenge!

  • 12/21/2022 2:16:00 PM
  • View Count 9678
What are your plans for New Year's 2023? Iowa state parks and forests invite you to join the First Day Hike Challenge.
Stay safe on the ice this winter

Stay safe on the ice this winter

  • 12/20/2022 11:53:00 AM
  • View Count 10304
With cold weather finally arriving in Iowa and freezing over lakes and ponds, ice fishing activity has begun at certain northern lakes. As a note of caution, the Iowa Department of Natural Resource (DNR) reminds all anglers - especially those in central and southern Iowa - to stay patient and allow that ice thickness to grow before heading to their favorite ice fishing spot.
Stay safe as Iowa lakes freeze over

Stay safe as Iowa lakes freeze over

  • 12/6/2022 9:10:00 PM
  • View Count 5817
The recent blast of arctic air is growing ice on lakes and ponds across the northern two-thirds of Iowa. Anglers are ready to get out for the popular early ice fishing season.
Natural Resource Commission to meet Dec. 8 in Des Moines

Natural Resource Commission to meet Dec. 8 in Des Moines

  • 12/4/2022 10:32:00 PM
  • View Count 5565
DES MOINES -- The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold its monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m., Dec. 8, in the Wallace State Office Building, second floor conference room, 502 East Ninth Street, in Des Moines. The meeting is open to the public.
Campground hosts needed for 2023 recreation season

Campground hosts needed for 2023 recreation season

  • 11/22/2022 11:40:00 AM
  • View Count 8710
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking people who enjoy the outdoors, camping and meeting new people, to consider becoming volunteer campground hosts for the upcoming recreation season.
All Iowans can help protect fish and wildlife through Turn in Poachers

All Iowans can help protect fish and wildlife through Turn in Poachers

  • 11/15/2022 11:44:00 AM
  • View Count 5574
Information is reported to the Turn in Poachers (TIP) system all year long, with a noticeable increase from September to January as part of the fall and winter hunting seasons. Regardless of the time of year or day of the week, the most important factor for the public in using the TIP system is timeliness.
Natural Resource Commission to meet Nov. 10 in Des Moines

Natural Resource Commission to meet Nov. 10 in Des Moines

  • 11/4/2022 2:28:00 PM
  • View Count 2850
Des Moines – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold its monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m., Nov. 10, in the Wallace State Office Building, second floor conference room, 502 East Ninth Street, in Des Moines. The meeting is open to the public.
Project this fall will repair a portion of Ingham Lake’s north shoreline

Project this fall will repair a portion of Ingham Lake’s north shoreline

  • 10/28/2022 5:24:00 PM
  • View Count 4341
Work will begin this fall on a section of Ingham Lake’s north shoreline that, once completed, will reduce the amount of siltation entering the lake and provide protection to the road surface of the adjacent Ingham Lake Road. Drivers who use Ingham Lake Road may experience occasional disruptions at County Road A34 while the work is underway.
State park campgrounds getting ready for winter

State park campgrounds getting ready for winter

  • 10/25/2022 11:46:00 AM
  • View Count 2989
Another busy camping year in Iowa state parks is coming to an end and staff are winterizing their facilities, including shutting off water in the campgrounds and closing shower houses.
The Walter House

The Walter House

  • 10/25/2022 11:35:00 AM
  • View Count 2866
Quasqueton-native Lowell and Agnes Walter wanted to build a house for their retirement overlooking the Wapsipinicon River, near his hometown. The Des Moines couple owned Iowa Road Building Company in Des Moines and a farm management business in Buchanan County that amassed around 5,000 acres.
Natural Resource Commission to meet Oct. 13 in Des Moines

Natural Resource Commission to meet Oct. 13 in Des Moines

  • 10/7/2022 12:08:00 PM
  • View Count 2798
Des Moines – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold its monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m., Oct. 13, in the Wallace State Office Building, second floor conference room, 502 East Ninth Street, in Des Moines. The meeting is open to the public.
It's NOT a Rattlesnake!

It's NOT a Rattlesnake!

  • 9/23/2022 4:56:00 PM
  • View Count 17062
Rattlesnakes can be scary. They have fangs and venom and can potentially kill or maim you if startled or threatened. Rattlesnakes are very uncommon in Iowa with the Timber Rattlesnake being the most widespread species.
Lend a hand in a state park at Statewide Volunteer Day on Sept. 24

Lend a hand in a state park at Statewide Volunteer Day on Sept. 24

  • 9/13/2022 12:20:00 PM
  • View Count 3081
Iowans are invited to lend a hand at the Department of Natural Resources’ sixth annual Statewide Volunteer Day on Sept. 24. Several parks across the state will be hosting volunteer events to help spruce up trails, buildings and other park amenities.
Water level to drop at West Swan Lake ahead of restoration

Water level to drop at West Swan Lake ahead of restoration

  • 9/6/2022 1:02:00 PM
  • View Count 3078
GRUVER - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will start lowering the water level at West Swan Lake, near Gruver in Emmet County as part of a restoration project to improve its water quality, eliminate a rough fish population and provide quality habitat for fish and wildlife.
Natural Resource Commission to meet Aug. 11 in Des Moines

Natural Resource Commission to meet Aug. 11 in Des Moines

  • 8/9/2022 2:27:00 PM
  • View Count 3111
DES MOINES – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold its monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m., Aug. 11, in the Wallace State Office Building, second floor conference room, 502 East Ninth Street, in Des Moines. The meeting is open to the public.
Maquoketa Caves State Park to reopen Thursday

Maquoketa Caves State Park to reopen Thursday

  • 7/27/2022 2:41:00 PM
  • View Count 3916
MAQUOKETA, IA -- Maquoketa Caves State Park will reopen for day use at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 28. The campground will remain closed until further notice. All campers with reservations through Sunday, July 31 have been notified and refunded.
Natural Resource Commission to meet July 13 at State Forest Nursery

Natural Resource Commission to meet July 13 at State Forest Nursery

  • 7/11/2022 11:13:00 AM
  • View Count 2963
Ames – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold its monthly meeting at 9 a.m., July 13, at the State Forest Nursery, 2404 South Duff Avenue, in Ames. The meeting is open to the public.
Officials seek public’s assistance regarding Missouri River fatality

Officials seek public’s assistance regarding Missouri River fatality

  • 6/8/2022 10:42:00 AM
  • View Count 2427
MISSOURI VALLEY, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Bureau is requesting the public’s assistance for information regarding the activities involving the 30-foot red and white Scarab boat with an Oklahoma registration that was involved in the Memorial Day weekend fatality on the Missouri River.
Natural Resource Commission to meet June 9 at George Wyth State Park

Natural Resource Commission to meet June 9 at George Wyth State Park

  • 6/6/2022 1:44:00 PM
  • View Count 1751
Any person participating in the public meeting and has special requirements such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments should contact the DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.
June is Invasive Species Awareness Month

June is Invasive Species Awareness Month

  • 5/24/2022 3:43:00 PM
  • View Count 2147
In an effort to increase awareness of invasive species and the impact they have on Iowa’s ecosystems and economy, Governor Kim Reynolds recently proclaimed June as Invasive Species Awareness Month in Iowa.
Paddle Iowa Waters. Catch Fish. Win Prizes.

Paddle Iowa Waters. Catch Fish. Win Prizes.

  • 5/24/2022 3:30:00 PM
  • View Count 2291
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is excited to launch a new digital passport modeled after the successful State Park Passport created in 2020 to mark the 100th anniversary of Iowa State Parks.
Help protect Iowa’s forests - leave firewood at home

Help protect Iowa’s forests - leave firewood at home

  • 5/24/2022 3:25:00 PM
  • View Count 2860
Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer, thousands of Iowa will be camping and building campfires. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages campers to buy firewood from where they will burn it instead of bringing it from home.
Help stop aquatic hitchhikers this Memorial Day weekend

Help stop aquatic hitchhikers this Memorial Day weekend

  • 5/17/2022 3:30:00 PM
  • View Count 1138
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds all boaters and anglers to “Clean, Drain, and Dry” their boats and equipment this Memorial Day weekend to protect Iowa lakes and rivers from aquatic hitchhikers. 
Red Haw State Park partially opens after tornado damage

Red Haw State Park partially opens after tornado damage

  • 5/17/2022 3:28:00 PM
  • View Count 1337
CHARITON – Red Haw State Park will open to visitors starting May 20 after a March tornado caused extensive damage to the park. The campground and surrounding trails, which are the most heavily damaged areas, remain closed.
Natural Resource Commission to meet April 14

Natural Resource Commission to meet April 14

  • 4/11/2022 7:39:00 AM
  • View Count 795
Des Moines – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold its monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m., on April 14, in the second-floor conference room, Wallace State Office Building, in Des Moines. The meeting is open to the public.
State Preserves Advisory Board to meet April 4

State Preserves Advisory Board to meet April 4

  • 3/29/2022 1:58:00 PM
  • View Count 1073
The State Preserves Advisory Board of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will meet at 1 p.m., April 4, in the second floor conference room in the DNR Air Quality office, Wallace State Office Building, 502 East Ninth Street, in Des Moines. 
Shoreline stabilization project underway at Silver Lake

Shoreline stabilization project underway at Silver Lake

  • 3/24/2022 1:42:00 PM
  • View Count 1649
LAKE PARK, Iowa - Work is underway on a shoreline stabilization project on the northwest section of Silver Lake, in Dickinson County, that is part of a water quality improvement project for the 1,032-acre natural lake. Due to the nature of the project, the contractor has temporarily closed the northwest access road.
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