Your Photo of Fall in Iowa Could Be Our Next Cover Photo 9/9/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 5620 Your photo capturing the best of Iowa in autumn could be the DNR's next Facebook cover photo – just enter in our fall cover photo contest!
Helpful Identification Guides for Iowa Plants, Wildlife 9/9/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 53047 If you’re the curious type that likes to know the name of the spider you found on your porch or just what that prairie-looking flower is that came up in your garden, you’ll appreciate these online identification resources.
Monarchs Embark on Nature’s Most Incredible Migration 9/9/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 37314 As the days grow shorter and fall approaches, newly emerged monarch butterflies become restless. Although the bright orange- and black-winged insects currently visiting backyard flowerbeds may appear identical to those seen earlier in the summer, they are biologically different from all others. The group of adults currently flittering about are so unusual that scientists give them a special name—this year’s final crop of young are the annual super generation.
11 Extinct Animals You Didn’t Know Were Iowan 9/9/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 51100 As the eons have seen many species come and go across the globe, you may be surprised by some of the species that once called what we now know as Iowa home.
Seeds and Snakes, Flower and Fox: Inside the Prairie Food Web 9/9/2015 10:48:00 AM View Count 19331 Prairie is attractive to many wildlife species as a food source, and its complexity helps ensure their survival. Learn more about the intricate food web that makes the prairie work.
6 Things You Might not Know About Iowa's Turtles 9/8/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 47781 Whether they walk on land or paddle in the river, the 17 species of turtles we have in Iowa are much more complex than meets the eye - many tout extensive lifespans and specific habitat needs. See how much turtle trivia you know:
Popular Outdoor Expo is September 26-27 9/8/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 3623 The opportunity for families to experience the fun of Iowa’s outdoors is right around the corner. The seventh annual Iowa Outdoor Expo is Sept. 26 and 27 at Waterworks Park in Des Moines.
Relaxed Fishing Regulations Extended at Q Pond 9/8/2015 11:03:00 AM View Count 5345 OSCEOLA - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources relaxed fishing regulations at Q Pond in Osceola last summer due to water loss associated with an issue with the lake’s outlet structure.
Stream Mitigation Program Planning Opening 9/4/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 5010 Stream Mitigation Program Planning Opening
Water Summary Update: Conditions Continue to be Drought Free 9/4/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 3703 DES MOINES — Continued rains have resulted in drought free conditions for the state. Streamflow remains normal to above normal in most areas and groundwater levels are slightly below normal in areas of Dubuque and Winneshiek Counties. However, the overall assessment of the state’s conditions is near-normal.
Renewal of Permit Requirements for Aquatic Pesticide Applicators 9/4/2015 11:15:00 AM View Count 3789 The DNR is seeking input from people who apply pesticides to Iowa waters at an informal stakeholder meeting Sept. 9 in Des Moines.
Natural Resource Commission to Meet September 10 via Teleconference from Des Moines 9/3/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 3571 DES MOINES – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will meet via teleconference at 9:30 a.m., Sept. 10, originating from the Wallace State Office Building fourth floor conference room, 502 East Ninth Street, in Des Moines.
Hawkeye Wildlife Refuge Open for Special Urban Canada Goose, Teal Season 9/3/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 4716 The Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area participates each year in a special urban Canada goose season designed to reduce local populations of giant Canada geese before other subspecies of Canada geese migrate through Iowa in the fall. This year’s season is Sept. 5 – 13.
7 Ways to Attract Songbirds to Your Yard 9/2/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 21399 Whether you’re trying to attract photo subjects or some cute little neighbors for company, creating a songbird habitat in your yard is a great way to get nature to come to you. No matter if you’ve got a yard the size of a postage stamp or a full acreage, there are plenty of ways to draw in the feathered friends you’re looking for. Check out the tips and tricks below for making your yard as homey as possible.
What's The Best Time of Day to Catch Fish? 9/2/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 54427 Anglers may argue until they’re blue in the gills about the best bait to use in procurement of our fine, finned friends. But most are in agreement that, above all else, weather distinguishes a good day of fishing from a bad one. Not unlike most humans, weather conditions affect the behavior of our aquatic acquaintances.
Operation Releaf Event Set For Poweshiek County 9/2/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 4093 POWESHIEK COUNTY – A popular program offering landscape-quality trees at a deep discount to Alliant Energy customers will be held in Grinnell, Saturday, Sept. 19.
Off-Highway Vehicle and Snowmobile Registration Renewals Due December 31 9/1/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 10715 Owners of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), off-road utility vehicles (ORVs) or off road motorcycles (ORMs) and snowmobiles registered with the Iowa DNR will need to renew their registrations by Dec. 31.
BOW Workshop Registration Price Increases Sept 4; Openings Still Available 9/1/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 3339 Women can still answer their “call of the wild” by registering for the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) workshop Sept. 18-20 at the Springbrook Conservation Education Center in Guthrie County. Women thinking about participating are encouraged to sign up now. After Sept. 4, the cost of the workshop increases from $150 to $180.
Springbrook State Park to Close for Repairs Sept 8 9/1/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 4046 Springbrook State Park in Guthrie County will shut down beginning Sept. 8 for major road repairs. Repairs will include replacing the bridge coming into the park and the culvert in the campground, and repairing the main road between the spillway and the picnic area. The park will be closed to vehicle traffic until completion, which is scheduled to be May 21, 2016 (weather dependent).
4 Hidden Surprises at Ledges State Park 9/1/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 53601 Ledges State Park may be one of the most popular parks in the state, but how well do you know it? Check out this list of lesser- known park perks and attractions from park manager Andy Bartlett.
DNR Investigating Discharge to Creek Near Redfield 9/1/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 3930 REDFIELD – Following reports from concerned citizens about a smell near an unnamed creek east of Redfield, the DNR is investigating a discharge to the creek.
Fishing Regulations Relaxed at Bob White 9/1/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 4770 ALLERTON- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is relaxing fishing regulations at Bob White Lake, in Wayne County, until 10:00 p.m. September 21, to allow anglers to harvest fish before the lake is drained as part of a renovation project.
Informal Comment Period for the Draft Fee Rules and Draft Fee Schedule 9/1/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 3749 The Department conducted advisory group meetings with stakeholders in June and July 2015 to develop the rules and fee types and amounts to implement Senate File 488. Stakeholders continued to provide comments during the informal comment period that has been on-going since the meetings. The Department has revised the draft fee rules to incorporate changes based on the comments provided by stakeholders.
Iowa's Pheasant Population Jumps 37 Percent; Quail Highest Count in 21 Years 9/1/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 16244 Iowa’s pheasant population increased for the second year in a row to a statewide average of 24 birds, up 37 percent over 2014. This is the highest bird count since 2008 for most of the state, and in southeast Iowa, it’s the highest count in more than a decade.
Sun Rises on the 2015 Dove Opener 9/1/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 4235 The first shot came 18 minutes into the season and was quickly followed by others from the 10 or so hunters at the Kellerton Wildlife Area in Ringgold County. After a few hours of hunting – and hundreds of empty shells - this group of friends was well on their way to filling their limit.
Late Summer Cattail and Emergent Vegetation Control for Ponds 9/1/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 3837 Have the cattails in your pond taken over your favorite fishing spot or crowded you from one side of the dock or swimming area?
Local REAP Meetings Begin September 29 9/1/2015 11:38:00 AM View Count 4138 Iowa’s Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) assemblies begin this fall, giving all Iowans an opportunity to discuss what their vision is for Iowa’s outdoor recreation, soil and water enhancement, historical resources and land management and more.
Rain Impacts Trails at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area 8/31/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 4323 FORT DODGE - More than eight inches of rain fell on Brushy Creek State Recreation Area in Webster County, Friday, August 28, impacting trails throughout the area.
Effort to Curb Illegal Activities Results in Arrests at Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area 8/31/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 5098 IOWA CITY – A year-long effort to curtail illegal activities at the Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area in Johnson County has resulted in multiple charges being filed over the weekend by law enforcement officers for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
From Egg to Flight: Follow a Butterfly's Life Cycle 8/28/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 8226 Butterfly Life Cycle
Spontaneous Roadtrip: Cabins Available This Weekend 8/28/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 4608 If you're looking for a fun, spontaneous weekend getaway, check out these 5 parks with available cabins:
Draw Down Begins at Pleasant Creek Lake 8/28/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 4974 PALO – A drawdown has begun at the Pleasant Creek Recreation Area located five miles north of Palo in Linn County.
7 Things To Try Outdoors This Week: Labor Day Edition 8/28/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 6124 Even with school back in session and Labor Day heralding in the unofficial end to summer, that doesn’t mean you need to hole up inside until next summer. Enjoy this holiday week with new ideas each day on how to get out and enjoy Iowa’s outdoors.
Air, Land and Water on Environmental Commission's Agenda for Marshalltown Meeting 8/27/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 4014 MARSHALLTOWN – Quarterly plans for water quality loans, solid waste grants and a contract for inventorying air emissions are on the Sept. 15 agenda for the Environmental Protection Commission’s business meeting in Marshalltown.
Renewal of Permit Requirements for Aquatic Pesticide Applicators 8/27/2015 12:00:00 PM View Count 3703 DES MOINES — The DNR is seeking input from people who apply pesticides to Iowa waters at an informal stakeholder meeting Sept. 9 in Des Moines.
The Wild Kind: Explore the Wilderness of Palisades-Kepler 8/26/2015 10:27:00 AM View Count 19473 Swift water, rocky cliffs, and a canoe ride that ends with a beer and a burger. It’s a weekend wilderness hoe-down in east-central Iowa.
Why Do Snakes Shed Their Skin? 8/25/2015 9:13:00 AM View Count 180034 All animals shed their skin. Some just do it in more grandiose (and visible) style. While humans “shed” millions of skin cells every day, snakes and other animals shed a layer of skin in one continuous piece, a process called ecdysis, which occurs between four and 12 times a year.
Go Cave Exploring in Iowa 8/20/2015 9:34:00 AM View Count 34046 You might not expect it, but Iowa has caves of various sizes and shapes on both private and public land. And since some of them can be explored, it’s time to go spelunking! (That’s cave exploring, for those in the know.)
9 Hidden Surprises at Backbone State Park 8/20/2015 9:23:00 AM View Count 88940 Backbone is one of Iowa’s largest state parks, checking in at just more than 2,000 acres. Even if you’ve been to the park before, do you really know all the surprises it has to offer? To test your knowledge and find new destinations at the park, check out the featured facts and attractions below from park manager Mary Shea.
How to Fish From a Kayak 8/13/2015 9:52:00 AM View Count 12389 Fishing from a kayak is great way to stay active and get up close with nature. There’s a unique angling challenge around each bend. Try these tips to get you started.
Stand-Up Paddleboarding: Tips for Newbies 8/13/2015 9:49:00 AM View Count 10400 You might be familiar with canoes and kayaks, but a whole new paddling adventure can be had with stand-up paddle boarding (SUP for those in the know). See the tips and tricks below from certified SUP instructor Todd Robertson on how to get your own adventure started, and always check water levels before you go.
8 Iowa Animals You May Not Know are Threatened or Endangered 8/11/2015 9:57:00 AM View Count 22996 Nothing sounds more common than a mouse, owl, turtle or bat, but in Iowa, loss of habitat and other threats are creating serious conditions for different species of these critters, landing them on Iowa’s threatened and endangered species list.
Go Exploring: 14 Iowa Wildlife Tracks to Look For 8/7/2015 10:18:00 AM View Count 48659 When you’re out enjoying Iowa’s great outdoors, how often do you think to look down? One of the best ways for a burgeoning photographer, hunter or wildlife enthusiast to figure out what types of animals are around is to look for tracks.
6 Creative Camping Desserts To Give S'mores A Run 8/7/2015 10:09:00 AM View Count 11809 Here’s a great list of fun and easy recipes for when your wild side has a sweet tooth and regular s’mores just aren’t cutting it anymore.
7 Summer Things to Do with Your Kids Before School Starts 8/7/2015 10:05:00 AM View Count 9326 The end of summer is always a touch bittersweet for families. There’s excitement for a new school year, anticipation of ever-busier schedules, appreciation of the summer vacation itself and perhaps a longing for it not to end. Good news: it’s not over yet! Grab your little ones, your not-so-little ones, and some adventure gear while the whole family can head outside together for these fun activities.