Iowa DNR to begin annual spring burning, Cedar Wapsi Wildlife Unit 3/27/2023 3:51:00 PM View Count 2481 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be conducting prescribed burns this spring on wildlife management areas managed by the Iowa DNR’s Cedar Wapsi Wildlife Unit in Floyd, Chickasaw, Butler, Bremer and Buchanan counties.
DNR to host virtual public meeting regarding timber sale 11/22/2022 11:38:00 AM View Count 5129 The Iowa DNR will host a virtual public meeting on Dec. 8, 2022 at 6 p.m. regarding a salvage timber sale in Walnut Woods State Park, West Des Moines. The trees in the salvage area need to be removed for construction of the Athene Bridge, which will provide bike and walking trail access across the Raccoon River by connecting Walnut Woods State Park and West Des Moines’ Raccoon River Park. Bridge construction is slated to begin in spring or summer of 2023.
Popular central Iowa paddling destination closed 5/10/2022 1:52:00 PM View Count 2064 This week’s warm weather is perfect for paddlers to get out on rivers. Water recreationists should be aware of bridge construction projects across Iowa.
Walnut Woods State Park to offer online reservations for all campsites 3/15/2022 2:24:00 PM View Count 1566 WEST DES MOINES –Walnut Woods State Park will become Iowa’s second state park to make all of its campsites available for reservation through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) online reservation system, on April 1.
Correction: Red detergent did not reach Grimes creek 3/10/2022 2:10:00 PM View Count 835 GRIMES—After DNR field staff investigated, they found red detergent spilled in Grimes on Monday had not reached North Walnut Creek—contrary to the initial report.
Release of red detergent to creek in Grimes has stopped 3/7/2022 5:00:00 PM View Count 1344 GRIMES—The red color in North Walnut Creek in Grimes is due to the accidental release of a car wash detergent.
DNR investigating release of red paint to Clive creek 10/26/2021 4:12:00 PM View Count 1126 WEST DES MOINES - DNR staff are investigating the source of red paint colorant that reached a tributary of Walnut Creek in West Des Moines and Clive.
Public invited to Sept. 15 open house on current and future recreation projects 9/13/2021 1:50:00 PM View Count 1239 WEST DES MOINES - An open house to discuss current and future projects in the neighborhood of Walnut Woods State Park, Raccoon River Park and Purple Martin Water Resource Area is set for Sept. 15, from 6-8 p.m., at Walnut Woods State Park Lodge, in West Des Moines.
Ongoing wastewater discharge in Davenport’s Walnut Creek 7/20/2021 6:00:00 PM View Count 843 DAVENPORT—An ongoing wastewater discharge in Walnut Creek was reported to the city of Davenport’s Public Works and to DNR about 2 p.m. today.
Derecho damaged trees focus of proposed salvage timber sale at Walnut Woods State Park 2/10/2021 6:47:00 AM View Count 2281 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a virtual public meeting to outline a proposed salvage timber sale in Walnut Woods State Park on Feb. 24, at 6 p.m. The salvage timber sale involves trees damaged from the derecho winds in August 2020. Derecho winds damaged multiple trees within the park, which now pose a risk to park users. Each tree was evaluated according to the Iowa DNR tree risk assessment procedure.
Boil Advisory near Walnut Woods lifted 5/5/2020 3:03:00 PM View Count 1325 WEST DES MOINES - The Southwest Polk Water Service has lifted a boil advisory for an area near Walnut Woods State Park in southwest Polk County.
Boil Advisory in place for far southwest Polk County 5/4/2020 4:05:00 PM View Count 2027 WEST DES MOINES—The Southwest Polk Water Service has issued a boil advisory for an area near Walnut Woods State Park in southwest Polk County after a power loss caused a drop in water pressure Saturday night.
Trumpeter swan soiree returns to central Iowa Feb. 15 2/9/2020 2:05:00 PM View Count 2319 West Des Moines, Iowa - The public is invited to a Trumpeter Swan Soiree, celebrating North America’s largest waterfowl species, on Feb. 15, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Walnut Woods State Park, in West Des Moines.
Trumpeter swan soiree returns to central Iowa 1/2/2020 6:58:00 AM View Count 4488 West Des Moines, Iowa - The public is invited to a Trumpeter Swan Soiree, celebrating North America’s largest waterfowl species, on Feb. 15, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Walnut Woods State Park, in West Des Moines.
Fish kills illustrate stream vulnerability 7/25/2019 2:48:00 PM View Count 2401 DES MOINES—Three fish kills reported to DNR in two days illustrate the importance of taking extra caution with chemicals and other pollutants when the weather is hot and dry.
DNR investigating fish kill on lower Walnut Creek 7/24/2019 10:45:00 AM View Count 1953 DES MOINES -- The DNR is investigating a fish kill along a two-mile stretch of lower Walnut Creek after a citizen reported seeing dead fish yesterday. DNR field staff were onsite yesterday and continue to investigate.
Trumpeter swan soiree returns to central Iowa 1/10/2019 3:07:00 PM View Count 3675 The public is invited to a Trumpeter Swan Soiree, celebrating North America’s largest waterfowl species, at Walnut Woods State Park from 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., on Jan. 26.
Source of sheen on Walnut Creek traced to truck stop 5/17/2018 8:12:00 AM View Count 2718 URBANDALE—DNR has traced the source of a sheen on Walnut Creek to the Pilot Travel Center near Douglas Avenue and Interstate 35/80 in Urbandale.
DNR checking for source of sheen on Walnut Creek 5/15/2018 8:16:00 AM View Count 2436 CLIVE - Sunday, the city of Clive’s fire department investigated a sheen on Walnut Creek, tracing it upstream to a storm drain just west of the Pilot Travel Center near Douglas Avenue and Interstate 35/80 in Urbandale.
Trumpeter swan soiree returns to central Iowa 1/9/2018 11:43:00 AM View Count 8392 The public is invited to a Trumpeter Swan Soiree, celebrating North America’s largest waterfowl species, at Walnut Woods State Park from 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., on Jan. 27.
DNR to discuss tree harvesting at public meeting 1/3/2018 2:13:00 PM View Count 3683 WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host an informational meeting on Tuesday, January 9, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Walnut Woods State Park Lodge in West Des Moines to discuss a planned tree harvest.
Purple Martin Lake Water Resource Area opens for public use 8/24/2017 2:28:00 PM View Count 11345 DES MOINES, Iowa -- The metro’s newest recreational area is open for outdoor enthusiasts. On Thursday, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, along with the Des Moines Water Works, the City of West Des Moines and the Friends of Walnut Woods State Park held a grand opening of Purple Martin Lake Water Resource Area located off Army Post Road, southwest of Walnut Woods State Park.
Two men charged with felony for theft of trees 6/6/2017 3:44:00 PM View Count 15370 PISGAH, Iowa -- On May 25, 2017, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Bureau charged two men with cutting down and selling Walnut trees from a state-owned park.
Wastewater discharge ended in West Des Moines 2/23/2017 11:49:00 AM View Count 3509 WEST DES MOINES –The city of West Des Moines discovered untreated wastewater bubbling up from a manhole on the south side of the road in the 5400 block of University Avenue about 10:45 a.m. Wednesday.
Central Iowa trumpeter swan soiree 1/17/2017 1:02:00 PM View Count 7910 The public is invited to a Trumpeter Swan Soiree, celebrating North America’s largest waterfowl species at the Blank Park Zoo Friday, Jan. 27 from 6-8 p.m., and at Walnut Woods State Park on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 10:30 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Join the DNR Thursday live on Facebook 12/27/2016 1:17:00 PM View Count 3462 WEST DES MOINES - Join the Iowa DNR on Facebook Thursday for a live video preview of the upcoming First Day Hikes in Iowa State Parks.
Cedar Rapids area site added for walnut collection 9/27/2016 2:20:00 PM View Count 4836 CEDAR RAPIDS -- Iowa’s State Forest Nursery is in need of walnuts to propagate walnut seedlings this coming year, and is offering $2.50 per bushel.
State Forest Nursery in need of walnuts 9/20/2016 1:14:00 PM View Count 5944 Iowa’s State Forest Nursery is in need of walnuts to propagate walnut seedlings this coming year, and is offering $2.50 per bushel.
Make a Financial Investment with the High-Value Hardwood Packet from the State Forest Nursery 1/5/2016 9:33:00 AM View Count 5918 DES MOINES – Add some value to your future forest, with the High-Value Hardwood specialty packet from Iowa’s State Forest Nursery.
Still Looking for a Place to Host Your Holiday Gathering? 12/1/2015 6:59:00 AM View Count 5094 Are you the one responsible for planning your holiday get-together or company party? Still need a place to host it? You might want to check out several state park lodges open year-round.