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Modern restrooms, cabins will open Memorial Day weekend in Iowa state parks

Modern restrooms, cabins will open Memorial Day weekend in Iowa state parks

  • 5/20/2020 11:47:00 AM
  • View Count 14796
DES MOINES, IA -- Iowa state parks will open modern restrooms, shower buildings and cabins starting Friday, May 22 in time for Memorial Day weekend. This means campgrounds will be open for all campers, including RVs, pop-ups and tent camping. Youth group campsites will remain closed.
Help stop aquatic hitchhikers this Memorial Day weekend

Help stop aquatic hitchhikers this Memorial Day weekend

  • 5/19/2020 1:32:00 PM
  • View Count 3298
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.
Stay safe paddling this Memorial Day holiday weekend

Stay safe paddling this Memorial Day holiday weekend

  • 5/19/2020 1:29:00 PM
  • View Count 2753
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds paddlers to stay safe and follow physical distancing guidelines to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Getting outdoors after being indoors for such a long time is a fun and healthy option to start summer activities.
New virus strain impacting rabbit populations

New virus strain impacting rabbit populations

  • 5/19/2020 1:27:00 PM
  • View Count 2966
State wildlife experts are on the lookout for a new virus impacting the native rabbit and hare populations in Texas, Arizona, Colorado, California and New Mexico.
Iowa’s 47th spring turkey season is one for the records

Iowa’s 47th spring turkey season is one for the records

  • 5/19/2020 1:25:00 PM
  • View Count 4658
Iowa hunters reported harvesting more than 14,600 turkeys during the spring season, which is the highest spring turkey harvest since mandatory harvest reporting began in 2007. The previous high was 12,173 in 2016.
Water Summary Update: April cooler, drier than normal

Water Summary Update: April cooler, drier than normal

  • 5/14/2020 1:24:00 PM
  • View Count 1982
DES MOINES — With average rainfall about 2 inches below normal and temperatures about 2 degrees below normal, April was cooler and drier than usual, according to the latest Water Summary Update. 
DNR enforcement actions

DNR enforcement actions

  • 5/14/2020 1:21:00 PM
  • View Count 2190
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.
Reminder to check DNR website before visiting parks, campgrounds

Reminder to check DNR website before visiting parks, campgrounds

  • 5/11/2020 1:55:00 PM
  • View Count 2834
DES MOINES, Iowa -- As campgrounds begin opening up today to walk-in, first come, first served, campers with self-contained restrooms, and visitors continue to take advantage of state parks, the DNR is encouraging everyone to check the DNR website for temporary closures before traveling to any of these areas.
DNR enforcement actions

DNR enforcement actions

  • 5/7/2020 11:43:00 AM
  • View Count 2243
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.
Boil Advisory near Walnut Woods lifted

Boil Advisory near Walnut Woods lifted

  • 5/5/2020 3:03:00 PM
  • View Count 1333
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 3062
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 2032
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 2043
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 1588
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 5659
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 1643
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 17003
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 2619
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 2267
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 2007
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 4114
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 2541
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 6971
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 2521
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 2079
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.
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