DNR Monthly Updates

Take It Outside State Park Camps offer 5-day adventures in Iowa’s great outdoors—explore, learn, and build outdoor skills. Help us spread the word! Visit the DNR Website for details and registration. Reach out to [email protected] to request a flyer to share.

Level 1 camps are for students entering 3rd-6th grade. These camps introduce young adventurers to outdoor basics and spark curiosity about nature. Enrollment is limited to 30 students per camp. 

Please help us fill the camp locations listed below.

• George Wyth State Park (Waterloo): June 15-19
• Wapsipinicon State Park (Anamosa): July 6-10
• Palisades-Kepler State Park (Mt Vernon): July 27-31

The following camps are full and no longer taking registrations:

• Walnut Woods State Park (West Des Moines): June 15-19
• Ledges State Park (Madrid): August 3-7 

Level 2 camps help pre-teens and early teens deepen their outdoor experience through new challenges and advanced skills - perfect for campers with some know-how or those ready to try something new. These camps are for students entering 5th-8th grade. Enrollment is limited to 30 students per camp. 

Please help us fill the camp location listed below.

• Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area (Palo): July 13-17

The following camps are full and no longer taking registrations:

• Maquoketa Caves State Park (Maquoketa): June 22-26 -
• Big Creek State Park (Polk City): July 27-31  - 

Participants will learn paddling skills, how to identify hazard and river features, tips for teaching different learning styles, and risk management strategies. Instruction time will be one-third classroom and two-thirds on-water in both lake and river environments, solo and tandem.

The schedule for 2026 paddling schools is:

To register or for more information, go to www.iowadnr.gov/paddling-schools. Get your registration in quickly, these classes fill up fast.

The 2026 IHEA-USA Annual Meeting & Training is June 1–4, 2026.  We’re excited to share that IHEA volunteer members can register for virtual attendance at no cost. This is open to all County Conservation staff who are certified hunter education instructors, as Iowa DNR maintains your access to IHEA-USA resources and training opportunities. 

To register, visit the IHEA-USA Registration Platform to secure your spot. If you encounter any issues getting registered, contact [email protected] for assistance.

The Iowa DNR recently launched a statewide digital campaign promoting the Wild about Iowa Package to support conservation in Iowa. The package includes the habitat fee and a durable, commemorative hard card. 

We are looking for a few county partners willing to pilot signage in their parks promoting the habitat fee to support conservation in the state. If you are interested in participating, contact [email protected] for more information.

Resources for public fishing events are now available, including a marketing toolkit, promotional map, planning form, and giveaways. 

Counties are encouraged to submit events for Free Fishing Weekend (June 5-7) and throughout the year. Submit events for a chance to win fishing equipment and supplies.

Public Event Form

Event Promotion Resources

Outdoor Events Map

Participants will learn paddling skills, how to identify hazard and river features, tips for teaching different learning styles, and risk management strategies. Instruction time will be one-third classroom and two-thirds on-water in both lake and river environments, solo and tandem.

The schedule for 2026 paddling schools is:

To register or for more information, go to www.iowadnr.gov/paddling-schools. Get your registration in quickly, these classes fill up fast.

Prairie chicken sightings can be reported by calling 515-230-6599 or emailed to [email protected]. Numbers are down in Iowa and the DNR would like to keep tabs on any birds that may have been missed during previous surveys. Learn more on the DNR webpage.

Everyone is invited to contribute to firefly conservation by participating in the survey and sharing sightings. By taking part, it’s possible to help researchers collect valuable data. The Firefly Atlas website offers a wealth of educational resources and fascinating facts about these enchanting insects.

This workshop consists of summer long archery practices, fall workshops and hunting opportunities throughout Iowa’s archery season. All sessions are led by instructors that possess the experience to teach skills necessary to become efficient archers and bowhunters. The program is provided through a partnership with the Iowa Hunter Education Instructor Association, several local County Conservation Boards, various vendors, and the Iowa DNR. 

2026 Field to Fork Application. The deadline to apply is June 1.

The popular trout stream stocking season started on March 30. Announced trout stream stockings are scheduled through September.

Find a list of stocked trout streams on the printed DNR trout stream map or visit the DNR trout fishing webpage for more information. Check out the 2026 trout stocking calendar to plan your trout fishing adventure on the go!

Check out the new avian influenza resource website hosted by Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Learn more about avian flu on the DNR webpage.

The Iowa DNR, in partnership with the USDA Forest Service's Inflation Reduction Act, is facilitating Urban Forestry Development Grants to support community projects across Iowa. County Conservation Boards in eligible counties are encouraged to apply. Applications are due March 31, 2026. 

The next round of grant applications will be available June 2026.

The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the Northern States Caucus are offering two $1,000 scholarships to outstanding students pursuing studies in conservation, recreation, and related fields. Visit http://www.nasbla.org/nsc for more information. Applications are due February 13, 2026.

Help spread the word through your county’s newsletter, social media, and outreach channels during this year’s tax season. A small donation to the Fish/Wildlife Fund on line 21 of your Iowa state tax form can help support thousands of vulnerable wildlife through research, habitat development, and education.

Learn more about the benefits of the Chickadee Checkoff and how to make a donation on the DNR webpage.

This year we are ramping up efforts to get more people outdoors and on the water. Free Fishing Weekend is the perfect opportunity to host an event and we need your help to meet our goal of 100 events across the state June 5-7. Stay tuned to upcoming newsletters for more information, event planning tools, free supplies, and giveaways along with a chance to win prize packs for your county.