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Learn about the DNR's COVID-19 response and how the current health emergency is impacting DNR facilities, services and events.
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Boil Advisory near Walnut Woods lifted

Boil Advisory near Walnut Woods lifted

  • 5/5/2020 3:03:00 PM
  • View Count 212
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.
Efforts to remove carp continue at Hickory Grove Lake

Efforts to remove carp continue at Hickory Grove Lake

  • 5/5/2020 12:02:00 PM
  • View Count 1093
COLO, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Story County Conservation (SCC) plan to start drawing down Hickory Grove Lake near Colo in early May to remove common carp. The lake will remain drained until fall.
Boil Advisory in place for far southwest Polk County

Boil Advisory in place for far southwest Polk County

  • 5/4/2020 4:05:00 PM
  • View Count 410
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.
DNR enforcement actions

DNR enforcement actions

  • 4/30/2020 2:07:00 PM
  • View Count 616
DES MOINES – DNR staff work with individuals, businesses and communities to help them protect our natural resources by complying with state and federal laws. This approach is very effective. In the few cases where compliance cannot be achieved, the DNR issues enforcement actions. The following list summarizes recent enforcement actions.
Air Quality permits under review

Air Quality permits under review

  • 4/30/2020 1:56:00 PM
  • View Count 372
DES MOINES – The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect Iowans’ health and air quality. DNR’s permitting staff review each permit application to ensure facilities comply with state and federal air quality requirements.
Iowa’s final spring turkey season begins April 29

Iowa’s final spring turkey season begins April 29

  • 4/28/2020 3:18:00 PM
  • View Count 1942
Iowa hunters have reported harvesting nearly 8,600 turkeys so far this spring, making the 2020 season one of the more successful seasons to date, with the fourth – and longest – season still to come.
DNR investigates manure spill in Mitchell County

DNR investigates manure spill in Mitchell County

  • 4/24/2020 3:47:00 PM
  • View Count 241
STACYVILLE - The DNR is checking a fish kill after the report of a manure spill Thursday evening about three miles southeast of Stacyville in Mitchell County.
Iowa state parks extend closures into May

Iowa state parks extend closures into May

  • 4/24/2020 3:26:00 PM
  • View Count 14575
The DNR is extending closures of campgrounds and other park facilities through May 14, 2020 to help protect the health of visitors and staff during the COVID-19 health emergency. State parks and forests remain open for day-use opportunities, but visitors are reminded to strictly abide the social distancing rules and not gather in groups.
DNR to host a series of dam safety webinars

DNR to host a series of dam safety webinars

  • 4/23/2020 2:17:00 PM
  • View Count 638
DES MOINES - In May, the DNR’s Dam Safety program will host four free webinars covering how dams work, how to design and maintain a dam, and more.
DNR enforcement actions

DNR enforcement actions

  • 4/23/2020 2:16:00 PM
  • View Count 624
DES MOINES – DNR staff work with individuals, businesses and communities to help them protect our natural resources by complying with state and federal laws. This approach is very effective. In the few cases where compliance cannot be achieved, the DNR issues enforcement actions. The following list summarizes recent enforcement actions.
Air Quality permits under review

Air Quality permits under review

  • 4/23/2020 2:15:00 PM
  • View Count 411
DES MOINES – The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect Iowans’ health and air quality. DNR’s permitting staff review each permit application to ensure facilities comply with state and federal air quality requirements.
The First Earth Day: A Personal Remembrance

The First Earth Day: A Personal Remembrance

  • 4/22/2020 2:17:00 PM
  • View Count 558
The first Earth Day, which took place on April 22, 1970--50 years ago--sparked the creation of environmental policies and programs that helped clean up parts of the environment not only across the U.S., but also here in Iowa. It also sparked an awareness and appreciation for nature in Iowans young and old.
Volunteers step in to clean up popular shooting range

Volunteers step in to clean up popular shooting range

  • 4/21/2020 12:42:00 PM
  • View Count 674
Swisher, Iowa - One of Iowa’s most heavily used shooting ranges was the recipient of a cleanup project led by volunteers who stepped in after the local range manager was sidelined with a non-work related injury.
6 tips for soaking up more stormwater in your yard

6 tips for soaking up more stormwater in your yard

  • 4/20/2020 1:44:00 PM
  • View Count 1157
Not that long ago, Iowa consisted of nearly 80 percent prairie with plants and soil that could easily soak up stormwater with little to no runoff after heavy rains. Today, with drastic changes in land use, things have changed. With so many impervious surfaces (surfaces that shed water, such as roofs and concrete), runoff is forced quickly down storm drains and straight into local water bodies. Here are some ways to soak up more water in your yard to help prevent erosion and flooding in your lawn and home, as well a...
DNR enforcement actions

DNR enforcement actions

  • 4/16/2020 2:34:00 PM
  • View Count 891
DES MOINES – DNR staff work with individuals, businesses and communities to help them protect our natural resources by complying with state and federal laws. This approach is very effective. In the few cases where compliance cannot be achieved, the DNR issues enforcement actions. The following list summarizes recent enforcement actions.
Air Quality permits under review

Air Quality permits under review

  • 4/16/2020 2:32:00 PM
  • View Count 380
DES MOINES – The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect Iowans’ health and air quality. DNR’s permitting staff review each permit application to ensure facilities comply with state and federal air quality requirements.
Leave wildlife babies where they belong -- in the wild

Leave wildlife babies where they belong -- in the wild

  • 4/14/2020 2:23:00 PM
  • View Count 1760
It's as predictable as May flowers - from border to border, the Wildlife Baby Season has arrived in Iowa. From now until at least mid-June, DNR field offices across the state will be inundated with hundreds of phone calls and scores of deliveries regarding "orphaned wildlife."
Iowans can do their part in helping the Monarch habitat grow

Iowans can do their part in helping the Monarch habitat grow

  • 4/14/2020 2:21:00 PM
  • View Count 2245
The recent news from the World Wildlife Fund and Mexico’s Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas on monarch wintering numbers was an eye opener  – the butterflies covered an estimated seven acres of forest canopy in Mexico – less than half of last year’s population. Experts estimate a long-term average of 15 acres of occupied forest canopy is necessary to sustain the eastern North America monarch population.
Caves at Maquoketa Caves State Park to remain closed through at least April 30

Caves at Maquoketa Caves State Park to remain closed through at least April 30

  • 4/14/2020 2:16:00 PM
  • View Count 792
MAQUOKETA - The caves at Maquoketa Caves State Park will remain closed through April 30, in accordance with Governor Reynolds’ social distancing efforts. The trail system for the park’s most popular caves involves narrow boardwalks and handrails, making it difficult for visitors to maintain physical distances of at least six feet. Visitors can access the rest of the park while the caves are closed. 
Geode State Park restoration project timeline extended

Geode State Park restoration project timeline extended

  • 4/14/2020 2:14:00 PM
  • View Count 603
Danville, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) extended the timeline to complete in-lake restoration work at Geode State Park due to poor working conditions throughout the winter. Current restoration activities will improve water quality at Lake Geode and enhance accessibility and recreational opportunities in the park.
8 cool things you should know about peregrine falcons

8 cool things you should know about peregrine falcons

  • 4/14/2020 2:05:00 PM
  • View Count 1554
It’s spring, and one of Iowa’s most fascinating and rare birds of prey is currently getting down to the serious business of nesting! Do you know these facts about one of the fastest animals on the planet?
Why do fish school?

Why do fish school?

  • 4/9/2020 3:36:00 PM
  • View Count 1422
Call it the original synchronized swimming - fish, moving smoothly and swiftly, all in coordination with hundreds of other fish - that’s how fish do school.
DNR enforcement actions

DNR enforcement actions

  • 4/9/2020 1:32:00 PM
  • View Count 570
DES MOINES – DNR staff work with individuals, businesses and communities to help them protect our natural resources by complying with state and federal laws. This approach is very effective. In the few cases where compliance cannot be achieved, the DNR issues enforcement actions. The following list summarizes recent enforcement actions.
Air Quality permits under review

Air Quality permits under review

  • 4/9/2020 1:28:00 PM
  • View Count 355
DES MOINES – The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect Iowans’ health and air quality. DNR’s permitting staff review each permit application to ensure facilities comply with state and federal air quality requirements.
Stay safe this spring fishing season

Stay safe this spring fishing season

  • 4/9/2020 10:40:00 AM
  • View Count 585
As temperatures warm up this spring, many Iowans are wondering if they can still fish in light of the COVID-19 health emergency. The answer is yes, but be careful and responsible.
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