DNR News Releases

Search for a News Release

Press/Media inquiries: PIO@dnr.iowa.gov

DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: IowaReturn

Iowa’s largest sycamore tree severely damaged by suspicious fire at Geode State Park

• 2/23/2024 8:53:00 AM
• View Count 2868

DANVILLE, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is asking the public for any information as to the cause of a suspicious fire at Geode State Park on Sunday, Feb. 18. 

Fall fishing for Iowa’s prize trout

• 11/7/2023 11:52:00 AM
• View Count 3939

Fishing Iowa’s trout streams is a unique way to enjoy the cool fall weather and marvel at the amazing colors of Iowa’s prize trout. Male brown and brook trout display their brightest, most vibrant spawning colors this time of year.

Low flows and high temperatures delay stocking in select trout streams

• 9/5/2023 1:05:00 PM
• View Count 2813

Several catchable trout stockings on a few trout streams in Northeast Iowa will be delayed until the week of Sept. 11, due to low flows and high temperatures.

Teachers recognized for outstanding fishing programs

• 7/18/2023 11:47:00 AM
• View Count 2792

Jason Ohrt, South Winneshiek Schools, and Shane Blake, Davis County Schools, are recipients of the 2023 Brass Bluegill award from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fish Iowa! program.

Share the fun of fishing during free fishing weekend June 2-4

• 5/23/2023 1:12:00 PM
• View Count 6483

Iowa residents can try fishing without buying a license on June 2, 3 and 4, as part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) free fishing weekend. All other regulations remain in place.

Outdoors Day with the Iowa Cubs April 29

• 4/25/2023 11:48:00 AM
• View Count 2382

Join the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the Iowa Cubs, for Outdoors Day with the Iowa Cubs, on April 29. 

Show your support for the outdoors while enjoying a day at the ballpark

• 4/11/2023 2:19:00 PM
• View Count 2404

Join the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the Iowa Cubs, for Outdoors Day with the Iowa Cubs, on April 29.

Landfill water discharge reported in Fort Dodge

• 3/17/2023 4:11:00 PM
• View Count 2110

The North Central Iowa Regional Solid Waste Agency in Fort Dodge has reported that contaminated water from a landfill discharged into Gypsum Creek. 

Grants available for fishing and boating education programs

• 11/8/2022 4:03:00 PM
• View Count 3841

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Fish Iowa! angler education program has partnered with the Recreational Fishing and Boating Foundation’s (RBFF) Vamos A Pescar™ program to provide funding to local 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations to support local efforts to educate and engage families in high-density Hispanic communities through programs, classes and fishing activities. Minimum grant request is $5,000 with a 1:1 cash match required.

Kirkwood Community College instructor recognized for outstanding fishing program

• 6/21/2022 12:58:00 PM
• View Count 3099

Ken Carroll, Parks and Natural Resources professor at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, is the 2022 recipient of the Brass Bluegill award from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fish Iowa! program.

Scholastic Action Shooting Program State Championship brings out some of the nation’s fastest shooters

• 6/7/2022 1:58:00 PM
• View Count 1729

More than 90 athletes ranging from grade school through high school competed in the Scholastic Action Shooting Program Iowa State Championship match, June 4 and 5, at the Olofson Shooting Range, near Polk City.

Fish Iowa! and First Catch Center offer webinar on ice fishing basics

• 12/21/2021 3:51:00 PM
• View Count 2027

DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a free ice fishing basics webinar on Jan. 12, from 6 - 7 p.m., via Zoom, for those who have little to no ice fishing experience and would like to try it.

Grants available for fishing and boating education programs in Hispanic communities

• 11/10/2021 8:31:00 AM
• View Count 1831

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Fish Iowa! angler education program has partnered with the Recreational Fishing and Boating Foundation’s (RBFF) Vamos A Pescar™ program to provide funding to local 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations to support local efforts to educate and engage families in high-density Hispanic communities through programs, classes and fishing activities. Minimum grant request is $5,000 with a 1:1 cash match required.

Scouts volunteer angling instructor recognized for outstanding fishing program

• 8/10/2021 1:28:00 PM
• View Count 2148

Marsha Bailey, a volunteer certified angling instructor with Boys Scouts of America, is the 2021 recipient of the Brass Bluegill award from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fish Iowa! program.

Midwest black bear population likely to expand into parts of Iowa in the not too distant future

• 5/11/2021 1:17:00 PM
• View Count 6649

There’s a pretty good chance that, in the next several weeks, Northeast Iowa will be visited by a few wandering black bears coming down from Minnesota and Wisconsin ahead of the breeding season. It’s been an annual occurrence in this region each spring since 2014.

Hunter ed, outdoor skills courses now available on Go Outdoors Iowa system

• 1/20/2021 6:37:00 AM
• View Count 2972

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is launching a new event registration site that is part of the Go Outdoors Iowa system currently used for hunting and fishing licenses.

Grants available for fishing and boating education programs in Hispanic communities

• 11/3/2020 12:30:00 PM
• View Count 2028

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Fish Iowa! angler education program has partnered with the Recreational Fishing and Boating Foundation’s (RBFF) Vamos A Pescar™ program to provide funding to local 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations to support local efforts to educate and engage families in high-density Hispanic communities through programs, classes and fishing activities. Minimum grant request is $5,000 with a 1:1 cash match required.

Landscapes, views set Upper Iowa River Chimney Rocks Wildlife Area apart

• 9/15/2020 1:26:00 PM
• View Count 2446

DECORAH - Nestled in the heart of Bluff Country in Winneshiek County, the Upper Iowa River Chimney Rocks Wildlife Area offers visitors scenic views of its namesake chimney rocks, reconstructed prairie and a high-quality trout stream emptying into the legendary Upper Iowa River.

Eagle Grove teacher recognized for outstanding fishing program

• 8/19/2020 7:20:00 AM
• View Count 2025

Amy Ascherl, physical education teacher at Robert Blue Middle School in Eagle Grove, is the 2020 recipient of the Brass Bluegill award from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fish Iowa! program.

Iowa's water operators show dedication to local communities, clean water

• 8/13/2020 3:13:00 PM
• View Count 1730

The professionals who train and learn to operate Iowa’s 1,822 public water supplies and 814 wastewater facilities can be easily overlooked. But, to Jessica Montana, supervisor of the DNR’s southwest Iowa field office, “These are angels in a community.”

Grant helps provide fishing opportunities for Hispanic families and diverse audiences in Iowa

• 3/17/2020 12:21:00 PM
• View Count 1991

The Marshall County Conservation was awarded a George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar™ Education grant to engage diverse audiences, including Hispanic families, in fishing and kayaking this summer in the Marshalltown area.

Gates removed on Upper Iowa River dam

• 1/7/2020 12:41:00 PM
• View Count 3410

An emergency project to remove damaged gates from the southern segment of Lower Dam on the Upper Iowa River in Winneshiek County is underway. The $60,000 project restores flow to nearly a mile of the Upper Iowa River that was dewatered after the dam was built.

With its premier location on the migration superhighway - Otter Creek Marsh is about to get busy

• 10/8/2019 11:42:00 AM
• View Count 3323

Chelsea, Iowa - The viewing platform on County Road E66 can be a busy place when the annual migration is on. Looking out at the 3,800-acre Otter Creek Marsh, the platform offers and excellent view of tens of thousands of waterfowl, raptors and other birds as they zero in on this perfectly placed oasis during their journey each spring and fall.

Wildlife, prairie thrive on Schrader Wildlife Area

• 8/7/2019 11:32:00 AM
• View Count 2858

Vail, Iowa - The Schrader Wildlife Area in Crawford County has been transformed from highly productive west central Iowa farmland into a highly productive prairie that has attracted a unique mix of wildlife, including being one of very few locations in Iowa that has bobwhite quail, pheasants and Hungarian partridge at one site.

Paddlers urged to use caution on two popular river sections

• 7/30/2019 3:03:00 PM
• View Count 3035

Paddlers need to use caution on the Raccoon River in Des Moines and Upper Iowa River in Winneshiek County. Two natural hazards on Iowa rivers are reminders that river users need to stay aware, wear life jackets, and make safe decisions on the water.

Outdoor groups sponsor open house for novice, lapsed hunters

• 7/23/2019 12:39:00 PM
• View Count 2605

A coalition of outdoor organizations is hosting an open house showcasing opportunities to get involved with the outdoors through hunting, shooting sports and fishing. The event – Hunt Iowa Social – is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m., Aug. 19, at the Saylorville Fire Department, 211 NW 54th Avenue, in Des Moines.

Water quality improvements lead to mussels’ return, Lime Creek off state impaired waters list

• 1/17/2019 1:44:00 PM
• View Count 7582

BUCHANAN COUNTY — For Lime Creek, it’s a tale of two lists; it’s a story that moves from the state’s impaired waters list to the distinction of landing on the Outstanding Iowa Waters list. The effort was also just recognized as a water quality success story by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Iowa Beyond BOW workshop set for Mitchell County January 25-26

• 12/18/2018 1:18:00 PM
• View Count 2866

Osage, Iowa - Registration is now open for the Jan. 25-26 Beyond BOW workshop in Mitchell County. The two-day, hands-on workshop headquartered at Mitchell County Conservation in Osage, is an opportunity to learn to ice fish, squirrel hunt, rabbit hunt, fur trap, and process fur and game.

Iowa Beyond BOW workshop set for Guthrie County February 8-10

• 12/18/2018 1:16:00 PM
• View Count 3047

Guthrie Center, Iowa - Registration is now open for the Feb. 8-10 Beyond BOW workshop in Guthrie County. The two-day, hands-on workshop headquartered at Springbrook State Park, near Guthrie Center, is an opportunity to learn to ice fish, winter survival skills, how to snowshoe and cross-country ski and more.

Grants available for fishing and boating education programs in Hispanic communities

• 11/20/2018 11:49:00 AM
• View Count 2668

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Fish Iowa! angler education program has partnered with the Recreational Fishing and Boating Foundation’s (RBFF) Vamos A Pescar program to provide funding to local 501(c)(3) organizations to support local efforts to educate and engage families in high-density Hispanic communities through programs, classes and fishing activities.

Iowa educators recognized for programs to get students outside, fishing

• 9/18/2018 4:12:00 PM
• View Count 2417

Faith Bruck with Logan-Magnolia High School is the 2018 recipient of the Brass Bluegill award from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fish Iowa! program.In 2015, Logan-Magnolia Schools’ science teacher K.C. Kersten got a grant through Monsanto to develop a fishing pond and wetland area next to the school. The pond was stocked in the fall of 2016. In 2017, Bruck capitalized on the outdoor interests of her students and the newly stocked pond to create excitement about lifetime recreati...

Florida woman drowns in Upper Iowa River near Decorah

• 7/24/2018 8:11:00 AM
• View Count 3478

DECORAH, Iowa – Emergency personnel responded to a report of a drowning on July 22 around 2:45 p.m. on the Upper Iowa River, northwest of Decorah.

Creston and Southern Iowa Rural Water Association customers advised to boil water

• 6/1/2018 9:56:00 AM
• View Count 6812

CRESTON - A boil advisory has been issued by the Southern Iowa Rural Water Association (SIRWA) and Creston Water Works following issues with the filtration system at the Creston Water Treatment Plant. The SIRWA and Creston Water Works is issuing this drinking water warning to all of their customers.

Iowa DNR receives donated 440 year old white oak cross section

• 5/31/2018 8:32:00 AM
• View Count 3137

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources received a donation from the Science Center of Iowa of a cross section from a 440 year-old white oak tree. 

Nine Iowa state parks to host University of Iowa Wildlife Camps

• 4/10/2018 1:53:00 PM
• View Count 4225

This summer, the University of Iowa is partnering with Iowa state parks to host Wildlife Camps for kids in nine state parks.  

Save the dates for upcoming Client Contact & EPC meetings

• 5/31/2017 9:59:00 AM
• View Count 3263

The DNR invites you to upcoming Client Contact and Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) meetings.

Time is running out to register for popular wildlife camps at six state parks

• 5/30/2017 2:17:00 PM
• View Count 3725

Six Iowa state parks are proud to host the popular University of Iowa Wildlife Camps for local families, but enrollment is limited and registration will end soon for the June camps.

Local fishing club pays it forward

• 5/16/2017 12:15:00 PM
• View Count 3849

A central Iowa fishing club is the 2017 recipient of the Brass Bluegill award from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fish Iowa! program.

Popular northeast and central Iowa paddling destinations closed

• 5/10/2017 3:12:00 PM
• View Count 3476

This weekend’s warm weather is perfect for paddlers to get out on rivers around the state. Water recreationists should avoid three popular destinations this weekend and possibly longer.

Hunters use popular program to donate deer meat to Food Bank of Iowa

• 11/22/2016 1:57:00 PM
• View Count 12630

Have an extra deer at the end of the hunt? Maybe you bought an extra tag, to hunt longer? Consider donating to Iowa’s HUSH program. HUSH (Help Us Stop Hunger) works with 81 participating lockers to provide high quality meat to needy Iowans, through the Food Bank of Iowa. 

A Closer Look at the Wild Side of the Amana Colonies

• 11/7/2016 1:51:00 PM
• View Count 18155

While browsing this iconic Iowa spot, don't forget that the Amanas’ wild side is worth investigating as a fine example of well-managed private habitat.

Meet Wapsipinicon, one of Iowa's most unique state parks

• 11/4/2016 3:31:00 PM
• View Count 48248

Thus endures one of the many stories, myths, legends and even proven historical facts about Horse Thief Cave, a well-known feature of what is now Wapsipinicon State Park, and, though its tale-inspiring caves are definitely a main draw, Wapsipinicon is so much more. 

Scouting encouraged for duck hunters in Eastern Iowa flood zone

• 9/28/2016 3:00:00 PM
• View Count 3832

Duck hunters planning to hunt public wildlife marshes, lakes, sloughs, river bottoms or flats in eastern Iowa are encouraged to scout the areas before they plan to hunt.

Holstein Teacher Recognized for Outstanding Fishing Program

• 6/14/2016 1:18:00 PM
• View Count 4188

Justin Kinney, physical education and health instructor at Ridge View High School in Holstein, is the 2016 recipient of the Brass Bluegill award from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fish Iowa! program.

Eastern Iowa Minor Source Emission Inventory Reports Due May 15

• 5/6/2016 8:39:00 AM
• View Count 4888

Minor source facilities located in the eastern third of Iowa must submit their Minor Source Emission Inventory (MSEI) for calendar year 2015 emissions to the Iowa DNR Air Quality Bureau by May 15, 2016.

Page 1 of 2 FirstPrevious [1]2 NextLast