DNR News Releases

DNR to host open house to discuss Boone Forks Wildlife Area forest wildlife stewardship plan

3/7/2023 12:19:00 PM
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public open house on March 23, beginning at 6 p.m., at the Hamilton County Conservation Board, 2490 Briggs Woods Trail, south of Webster City, to discuss a proposed forest wildlife stewardship plan at the Boone Forks Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

Harsh winter across North Iowa is reminder habitat is critical for wildlife survival

2/7/2023 8:24:00 PM
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State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) is a nationwide Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) practice within the continuous sign-up administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA).

DNR to eliminate the remaining fish population at Pioneer Park Pond

10/25/2022 11:50:00 AM
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CLARINDA - Page County Conservation Board (PCCB) and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are partnering to renovate the remaining fishery in Pioneer Park Pond. The DNR will treat Pioneer Park Pond this fall (pending workable weather conditions) with rotenone, a botanical pesticide, to eliminate the remaining fish population.

Award-winning conservation education professional development scheduled this fall

10/5/2022 7:04:00 AM
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is sponsoring professional development for K–12 and early childhood educators this fall.

Monarch Conservation Effort Report highlights Iowans' hard work

10/5/2022 6:52:00 AM
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AMES, Iowa -- Iowa has been steadily adding new habitat for monarch butterflies over the past couple of years. The Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium recently released its Monarch Conservation Effort Report, which offers a snapshot of monarch habitat establishment through 2020 in all 99 counties across the state.

Spring snow goose hunting season open through May 1

3/8/2022 1:40:00 PM
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The snow goose migration is underway and with it, the opportunity for waterfowl hunters to participate in the special conservation order allowing hunting of light geese in Iowa through May 1.

Saylorville Lake to host bald eagle watch Feb. 27

2/22/2022 11:38:00 AM
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JOHNSTON – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Dallas County Conservation Board and the Des Moines Audubon Society, is hosting a free bald eagle watch Feb. 27, from noon to 4 p.m., at the Cottonwood and Bob Shetler Recreation Areas, at Saylorville Lake.

Special wildlife practices available thru Conservation Reserve Program

2/8/2022 1:20:00 PM
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The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) offers several programs for landowners to enroll environmentally sensitive farmland into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).

Iowa DNR Conservation Officers Conclude Poaching Investigation

8/10/2021 1:18:00 PM
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Iowa Conservation Officers concluded a six-month-long investigation into felony weapons charges and wildlife poaching violations involving a deer hunting party in Johnson and Linn counties.

Olympic hopeful pro skaters promote fishing and the outdoors while visiting Iowa

5/19/2021 3:11:00 PM
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DES MOINES—The Iowa DNR and Takemefishing.org hosted a restoration event on Tuesday, May 18 for recreational fishing, paddling and conservation at Gray's Lake in Des Moines. Pro skaters TJ Rogers (CAN) and Alana Smith (TX, USA) worked alongside DNR staff, Des Moines Parks and Recreation staff and community volunteers to remove litter and invasive species, sink infrastructure for fish habitat and to practice their angling skills. They even took some time off to kayak.

Iowa DNR adds four conservation officers

1/12/2021 12:36:00 PM
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources swore in four new state conservation officers on Jan. 8, who will undergo several months of training before reporting to their assigned territories later this year.

Conservation Reserve Program general signup open through Feb. 12

1/12/2021 12:35:00 PM
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Iowa has about 45,000 acres enrolled in general Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts expiring this fall and all of it is eligible to reenroll as part of the recently opened 56th general CRP signup. The sign up is open through Feb. 12.

DNR names new Conservation and Recreation Division Administrator

10/12/2020 10:57:00 AM
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DES MOINES, Iowa – On Monday, October 12, 2020, DNR Director Kayla Lyon named Pete Hildreth of the DNR’s Wildlife Bureau the next Conservation and Recreation Division Administrator.

Quality habitat and location make Cone Marsh a birding, duck hunting hot spot

9/22/2020 2:08:00 PM
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CONESVILLE, Iowa - Cone Marsh is the most diverse wetland in Southeast Iowa. It’s part of the first in the nation Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Area and has a history of waterfowl hunting that dates back to the late 19th Century.

Dewey’s Pasture Wildlife Complex is a bucket list destination

7/28/2020 12:24:00 PM
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The 8,000-acre Dewey’s Pasture complex, in northwest Iowa, is one of the best representatives of pre-settlement grassland-wetland ecosystems in the state and one of Iowa’s premier public areas.

DNR to eliminate the remaining fish population at Hickory Grove Lake

7/21/2020 12:48:00 PM
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COLO - Story County Conservation (SCC) and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are partnering to renovate the remaining fishery in Hickory Grove Lake. The DNR will treat Hickory Grove Lake on August 4th (pending workable weather conditions) with rotenone, a botanical pesticide, to eliminate the remaining fish population.

DNR conservation officer and park ranger help rescue stranded boaters at Big Creek

6/16/2020 1:30:00 PM
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POLK CITY, Iowa – On Sunday, June 14, a DNR conservation officer and a DNR park ranger responded to a group of three stranded boaters at Big Creek.

DNR officers help overturned personal watercraft on Lake Manawa

6/16/2020 1:28:00 PM
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COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The DNR and Council Bluffs Fire Department were notified of a personal watercraft that had overturned on Lake Manawa, Sunday, June 14.

Efforts to remove carp continue at Hickory Grove Lake

5/5/2020 12:02:00 PM
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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.

6 tips for soaking up more stormwater in your yard

4/20/2020 1:44:00 PM
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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 Conservation Officer recognized as Officer of the Year for NWTF Iowa Chapter

4/14/2020 2:24:00 PM
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State Conservation Officer Tyson Brown, with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources serving Marshall and Grundy counties, was named the Officer of the Year by the Iowa chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

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

3/17/2020 12:21:00 PM
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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.

DNR assistance available for landowners interested in CRP

1/28/2020 3:32:00 PM
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Landowners interested in enrolling a portion of their land into the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general signup have until Feb. 28 to write an offer. The general signup came out of the 2018 Farm Bill that increased the cap of acres enrolled from 22 million acres to 27 million.

DNR conservation officer assists with ice rescue

12/30/2019 9:24:00 AM
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WARREN COUNTY, Iowa – On December 27, around 3:15pm, Warren County Sheriff’s Office dispatch received a call came of two people that had gone through the ice at Summerset State Park and were yelling for help.

Iowa DNR concludes investigation into Court Ave incident

10/10/2019 1:52:00 PM
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The Iowa DNR has concluded an internal investigation into the incident on September 20th involving two DNR Conservation Officers, determining no violation of current DNR policies. Due to concerns raised during the investigation, the Iowa DNR plans to review our policies to ensure they fully reflect the expectations of conservation officers.

Two DNR Conservation Officers placed on leave following incident Thursday

9/21/2019 3:48:00 PM
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DES MOINES, Iowa – Two DNR Conservation Officers have been placed on paid administrative leave following an incident that took place Thursday, Sept., 19, involving their response to a dispute between two women at the corner of 2nd and Court avenues in downtown Des Moines.

Large group of paddlers fined for no life jackets on board their kayaks

7/17/2019 1:20:00 PM
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Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation officers cited dozens of paddlers on July 6 for no life jackets on board their kayaks.

USDA reopens continuous CRP signup, extensions also available to expiring general and continuous contracts

7/2/2019 11:40:00 AM
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WASHINGTON – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting applications for certain practices under the continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup and will offer extensions for expiring CRP contracts. The 2018 Farm Bill reauthorized CRP, one of the country’s largest conservation programs.

Public meeting to discuss Windmill Lake fish renovation this fall

4/23/2019 3:20:00 PM
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Bedford, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Taylor County Conservation Board will host a public meeting at 4 p.m., May 8, at the at the Bedford Fire Station, 702 Dodge Street, in Bedford, to discuss the proposed fish renovation of Windmill Lake near New Market in Taylor County.

DNR Conservation Officer Griebel named Officer of the Year by Council

4/2/2019 12:58:00 PM
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The Mississippi Flyway Law Enforcement Council recently named Iowa DNR Conservation Officer Steven Griebel as its 2018 Officer of the Year.

DNR provides critical assistance during historic Iowa flooding

3/25/2019 3:18:00 PM
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WESTERN IOWA -- DNR conservation officers and park rangers have responded in droves providing crucial equipment and fulfilling extraordinary public safety rescue missions.

New monarch numbers encouraging: Conservation efforts in Iowa contribute to long-term recovery

2/12/2019 12:01:00 PM
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AMES, Iowa — This week, the World Wildlife Fund released its 2018-2019 overwintering monarch population report. Adult monarch butterflies covered approximately 15 acres of forest canopy in Mexico, a doubling of last year’s population, and a level not seen since 10 years ago.

Help a Bat: Build a Bat House!

10/31/2018 1:13:00 PM
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Bats are a great addition to any backyard - not only are their nightly aerial acrobatics fun to watch during the summer, they are also an excellent source of pest control and will kill loads of those pesky mosquitoes!

Meet Iowa's smallest carnivore

8/15/2018 9:54:00 AM
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Though they be but little, they are fierce! The least weasel (Mustela nivalis) is the smallest species of true carnivore, coming from the order Carnivora.

Water level to drop at Hickory Grove Lake ahead of restoration

7/24/2018 12:15:00 PM
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Story County Conservation Board plan to start drawing down Hickory Grove Lake near Colo in Story County as early as August 6th as part of the continued lake restoration efforts to improve water quality and enhance accessibility and recreational opportunities.

Popular hunting camp for boys still has space available

7/10/2018 2:06:00 PM
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POLK CITY – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Hunting and Conservation Camp, designed to introduce a variety of outdoor skills to young men ages 12-15, is still accepting registrations.

Latest CRP continuous signup offers well-timed management solution for waterlogged Iowa farmers

7/3/2018 11:40:00 AM
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Heavy rainfall in late spring and early summer has caused widespread ponding and flooding in northwest and north-central Iowa, but a recently announced continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup provides farmers a well-timed opportunity to find long-term solutions for these problem spots in their fields.

Continuous Conservation Reserve Program signup reopens until August 17

6/12/2018 11:53:00 AM
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has re-opened the signup window for Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) until Aug. 17, 2018. An estimated 1.3 million acres is available nationally to be enrolled.

New plan aims to reverse monarch butterfly decline

5/15/2018 12:03:00 PM
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The Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (MAFWA) welcomes public comments through May 31 on a draft conservation plan that provides a blueprint for reversing the decline of the eastern monarch butterfly population.

Iowans working to protect and improve water quality mark Soil and Water Conservation Week

4/30/2018 3:10:00 PM
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Iowans working together in their communities and backyards to improve soil and water quality, many with the help of DNR assistance and funding, are marking Soil and Water Conservation week April 29-May 5 to celebrate their achievements and inspire others to begin work on their own land.

Soap Creek and Stephens State Forest to become a bird conservation area

1/23/2018 9:07:00 AM
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OTTUMWA - A public ceremony to dedicate Soap Creek and Eldon Wildlife Areas, Stephens State Forest Unionville Unit, Lake Wapello State Park, and a portion of the Soap Creek watershed as Iowa’s newest Bird Conservation Area (BCA) will take place on Thursday, February 8 at 1:30 pm.

DNR investigates Wright County hunting incident

11/30/2017 8:19:00 AM
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WRIGHT COUNTY, Iowa – DNR conservation officers responded to a personal injury hunting incident on November 29 around 1:20 p.m., in southwestern Wright County.

Public meeting to discuss bird conservation area near Ottumwa

11/21/2017 11:43:00 AM
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will discuss the proposed designation of the region including Soap Creek, Fox Hills and Eldon Wildlife areas, Stephens State Forest, Lake Wapello State Park and Pioneer Ridge Nature Area as a state Bird Conservation Area (BCA) during a public meeting on Dec. 7.

Meeting to discuss proposed bird conservation area in Lower Loess Hills set for Aug. 17

8/1/2017 11:46:00 AM
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HAMBURG – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will discuss its proposed designation of the region that includes Waubonsie State Park and Riverton and Forney Lake wildlife areas as a state Bird Conservation Area (BCA) at a public meeting on Aug. 17.