Alcohol ban in place, hours extended at two Iowa beaches 4/26/2017 3:23:00 PM View Count 4327 DES MOINES -- The Department of Natural Resources is reminding the public that an alcohol ban is currently in effect for the beaches at Lake Macbride State Park near Solon in Johnson County and Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area, north of Cedar Rapids. The ban applies to both the sand area of the beach, a 200-foot buffer of land surrounding the sand, and the designated swimming area adjacent to the beach as marked by buoys or swim lines. This ban allows the DNR to reopen the beaches until 10:30pm.
Walleye season opens May 6 on Iowa’s Great Lakes 4/25/2017 12:29:00 PM View Count 9855 The 141st walleye fishing season officially opens May 6 at Spirit Lake, East and West Okoboji lakes.
Welcome to the neighborhood - 10 swans to be released in southern Iowa 4/25/2017 12:28:00 PM View Count 4130 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be releasing swans at four locations in southern Iowa in May, as part of its statewide trumpeter swan restoration effort.
Indian Bluffs and Pictured Rocks wildlife areas to become a bird conservation area 4/25/2017 12:27:00 PM View Count 5468 MONTICELLO – A public ceremony to dedicate the Indian Bluffs and Pictured Rocks wildlife areas including the privately owned Indian Bluffs State Preserve as Iowa’s newest Bird Conservation Area (BCA) will take place on May 10 at 1:30 p.m. The event will be held at the Pictured Rocks Pavilion, located about four miles southeast of Monticello at the east end of 190th Street and just north of the boat ramp, located on the west side of the South Fork Maquoketa River.
Partnership promotes Iowa grown natives for wildlife habitat 4/25/2017 12:25:00 PM View Count 7487 A partnership unique to Iowa is working to get more Iowa grown native grasses and forbs on the landscape to the benefit of wildlife and pollinators.
Bishop to lead DNR Wildlife Bureau 4/25/2017 12:21:00 PM View Count 5372 DES MOINES –Todd Bishop has been hired as the head of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Bureau on April 12, replacing Dale Garner who was promoted to the administrator for the Conservation and Recreation Division in February.
Leave Wildlife babies where they belong --- In The Wild 4/25/2017 12:19:00 PM View Count 8487 It's as predictable as August heat. 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."
Iowa Strategic Goals Program's Workshop: "EPA Compliance Tools & Common Clean Water Act Violations" on May 11 4/24/2017 10:59:00 AM View Count 3301 Join us at the Iowa Strategic Goals Program (ISGP) 1-day workshop on May 11, 2017 where regulators would provide hints and tips to help you better understand what is required of your business! This workshop will provide the opportunity to meet with regulators and industry experts in a small setting where questions are welcome!
Fertilizer release in Sac County city of Odebolt 4/21/2017 2:40:00 PM View Count 2876 ODEBOLT – A tanker carrying ammonium thiosulfate, a liquid fertilizer, tipped over in Odebolt this morning.
Be careful what you wishcycle in your recycling bin 4/20/2017 1:39:00 PM View Count 17282 The road to the recycling center is paved with good intentions. Like basketballs, bubble wrap and Styrofoam.
Iowa businesses and organizations can get updates on technical resources and more from the DNR’s P2 News 4/20/2017 12:36:00 PM View Count 4574 DES MOINES — For more than 20 years, Iowa businesses and institutions have saved money and become environmental leaders by working with the DNR’s Pollution Prevention (P2) Services program.
Iowa County Regional Environmental Improvement Commission designated as an Environmental Management System 4/20/2017 12:34:00 PM View Count 3216 IOWA COUNTY — Iowa’s Environmental Protection Commission designated the Iowa County Regional Environmental Improvement Commission as an Environmental Management System on April 18. Iowa County joins 13 other participants in the program and will begin specialized training provided by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Rains closing park and forest trails, damages Ledges State Park Road 4/18/2017 12:16:00 PM View Count 4564 While recent rains have cause minimal impact to state parks, people planning park visits are reminded to check current conditions before heading out.
New law allows approved pistol cartridges for use in rifles to hunt deer 4/18/2017 12:14:00 PM View Count 65354 Iowa hunters will have a new option this fall while hunting deer during the youth season, disabled hunter season and both shotgun seasons – rifles that are capable of shooting straight walled cartridges.
Bat survey looking for volunteers 4/18/2017 12:13:00 PM View Count 3813 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State University are looking for volunteers interested in performing night time surveys for bats in Hardin, Marshall, Jackson, and Dubuque counties.
New legislation makes nursery seedling sales more flexible 4/18/2017 12:12:00 PM View Count 3807 Landowners and homeowners can now order smaller quantities of high-quality native tree and shrub species from the State Forest Nursery. Beginning immediately, the nursery is accepting minimum orders of 100 seedlings of one species.
State Preserves Advisory Board meets April 20 4/18/2017 12:11:00 PM View Count 2954 The State Preserves Advisory Board of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will meet at 10 a.m., April 20, in the fourth floor west conference room in the Wallace State Office Building, 502 East Ninth Street, in Des Moines.
Public comment sought for impaired waters list 4/14/2017 3:06:00 PM View Count 3870 DES MOINES -- The DNR is seeking public comment on the newly released draft impaired waters list. Data released by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, today, shows 56 impairments will be removed from the 2014 impaired list, once approved by the EPA.
Fishing license check nets fugitive 4/14/2017 2:26:00 PM View Count 4718 FORT DODGE - David Scott Dayton, 30, of Fort Dodge, was booked into Webster County Jail Thursday after assaulting State Conservation Officer Bill Spece who was checking fishing licenses at the little dam in Fort Dodge.
Diesel Emission Reduction Grants for School Buses, Transit Programs, and County & Municipal Diesel Fleets 4/14/2017 8:22:00 AM View Count 3322 The Department of Natural Resources received grant funding from the Environmental Protection Agency for a diesel emission reduction program in Iowa. The DNR has created a competitive application process to fund projects that will implement cost-effective strategies that result in diesel emission reductions statewide.
Opportunity to Submit Air Quality Client Contact Meeting Agenda Items 4/13/2017 1:07:00 PM View Count 2647 The Air Quality Bureau is accepting agenda topics for the next Air Quality Client Contact Meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for May 25 at 1:00 p.m., at the DNR’s Air Quality Bureau Office. A conference call option is also available for the meeting.
Let the camping season begin 4/11/2017 12:28:00 PM View Count 5474 Warming temperatures and other signs of spring have state park staff busy preparing for the start of the 2017 camping season.
Fish hatcheries busy netting walleye 4/11/2017 12:27:00 PM View Count 4019 Spirit Lake – The late night, annual walleye collection is underway at Rathbun Lake, Storm Lake, Clear Lake and the Iowa Great Lakes. Crews with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Bureau have been setting gillnets at night looking for walleyes ready to spawn.
Charles City urging paddlers and trail users to avoid area at popular trail bridge crossing 4/11/2017 12:26:00 PM View Count 3269 Charles City – Charles City has closed the area around the Charley Western Trail Bridge, between South Grand and Clark Street, due to a partial bridge collapse. One of the bridge’s three arches partially collapsed Saturday morning just south of the popular Charles City Whitewater Park.
Pine Springs Creek water quality and angler access easement dedication April 28 4/11/2017 12:24:00 PM View Count 3393 Decorah – The public is invited to celebrate the dedication of the new water quality and angler access easement on Pine Springs Creek, North Canoe Creek and West Canoe Creek, April 28 at 11 a.m. at Seed Savers Exchange, north of Decorah.
Registrations open for popular outdoor workshop for girls 4/11/2017 12:20:00 PM View Count 3482 Iowa’s popular Outdoor Journey for Girls workshop is now accepting reservations.
Natural Resource Commission to Meet April 13 in Des Moines 4/10/2017 11:22:00 AM View Count 2889 Des Moines – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will meet at 9:30 a.m., April 13, in the fourth floor conference room, Wallace State Office Building, 502 East Ninth Street, in Des Moines.
Iowa Strategic Goals Program's Workshop: "EPA Compliance Tools & Common Clean Water Act Violations" on May 11 4/7/2017 1:15:00 PM View Count 3708 Join us at the Iowa Strategic Goals Program (ISGP) 1-day workshop on May 11, 2017 where regulators would provide hints and tips to help you better understand what is required of your business.
Community rallies behind Catfish Creek 4/7/2017 11:52:00 AM View Count 7402 The urban development surrounding Upper Catfish Creek had taken its toll.
A Spring Quadfecta 4/7/2017 11:15:00 AM View Count 24077 Last year was the first year I attempted a spring quadfecta: a turkey, a limit of trout, morels and wild asparagus.
Iowa DNR investigating possible drowning 4/7/2017 10:24:00 AM View Count 3732 ANITA, Iowa – On Thursday, April 6, 2017, a passerby spotted an overturned kayak in Lake Anita at the Lake Anita State Park in Cass County.
Water Summary Update notes increased precipitation in March 4/6/2017 1:58:00 PM View Count 3020 DES MOINES— Increased precipitation in March brought relief from the abnormally dry start to the year and ended moderate drought conditions that had been creeping into southern Iowa.
Online updates and environmental success stories top April 18 EPC meeting 4/6/2017 1:57:00 PM View Count 2937 WINDSOR HEIGHTS –Plans to enable farmers and consultants to submit manure management plan updates electronically will lead off the April 18 meeting of the Environmental Protection Commission.
Spring turkey hunting? Stay at a state park cabin 4/5/2017 1:33:00 PM View Count 9363 Several Iowa state parks have cabins near some of the state's best wildlife management areas for turkey hunting. As you make your spring plans, consider one of these options for a convenient, comfortable place to stay:
Pleasant Creek Lake restoration project nearing completion 4/4/2017 12:42:00 PM View Count 5890 PALO – The restoration of Pleasant Creek Lake, Linn County’s largest and most popular lake, that began last fall is nearly complete. All that remains to be finished is some concrete work and seeding the area.
Annual spring wildlife survey underway 4/4/2017 12:41:00 PM View Count 3647 Ordinarily, a slow moving vehicle at night in the Iowa countryside spotlighting deer, raccoons or coyotes would send Iowans to their phone, speed-dialing their local conservation officer, but in this case, it may be the officer doing the shining.
Remember the Chickadee Check-off as tax season winds down 4/4/2017 12:37:00 PM View Count 3290 Last year, roughly 7,500 out of 1.6 million Iowa taxpayers helped boost wildlife conservation with donations to the Fish and Wildlife Fund on their state income tax form. Despite a steady increase in the total number of tax returns since 2009, the number of donations has stayed roughly the same since 2010.
Ready for a race in the park? 4/4/2017 12:35:00 PM View Count 3409 Combine some of Iowa’s most beautiful landscapes with your love of fitness challenges this year. Check out a new page on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources website for a list of fitness events held in Iowa’s state parks.
Add a little spring color to your yard 4/4/2017 12:34:00 PM View Count 3888 Welcome spring to your yard with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources State Forest Nursery’s April seedling packet. The Spring Flowers packet, a combination of five flowering tree and shrub species, will provide a pallet of color ranging from lavender-pink to creamy white.
Trumpeter swans to be released at Wayne County’s Coffey Marsh 4/4/2017 12:32:00 PM View Count 6338 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will release two trumpeter swans at Coffey Marsh in Wayne County at 1 p.m., April 20, rain or shine.
April is Invasive Species Awareness month 4/4/2017 12:31:00 PM View Count 6436 In an effort to increase awareness of invasive species and the impact they have on Iowa’s ecosystems and economy, Governor Branstad recently proclaimed April as Invasive Species Awareness Month in Iowa.
Tama man pleads guilty of deer poaching in Marshall County 4/4/2017 11:34:00 AM View Count 10230 Ralph Ray Rozevink, 61, of rural Tama County, pleaded guilty on Feb. 22 to poaching a doe in southern Marshall County on Dec. 18, 2016.
Cedar River: the heart of Charles City 3/31/2017 10:14:00 AM View Count 13201 After Cedar River floodwaters hit hard in 2008 and 2016, even washing away the iconic century-old suspension bridge in 2008, you wouldn’t expect Charles City to embrace the river.
Our picks for Iowa's top nine trout streams in 2017 3/29/2017 11:54:00 AM View Count 74587 More than 300,000 catchable-sized rainbow and brook trout, and 110,000 fingerling brown trout will be stocked in hundreds of miles of northeast Iowa streams between April 3 and October 2017.
Include safety as part of the spring turkey hunting preparation 3/28/2017 12:05:00 PM View Count 4079 Spring turkey hunting success and safety comes down to the same thing – proper planning. Preseason scouting can put hunters in the right position when turkeys come off the roost, increasing their chance for success.