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Students learning outdoors by a lake

Learn, Explore & Educate

Strengthen your knowledge about Iowa's natural beauty with educational programs, resources, and activities from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

  • Classroom & Teacher Resources
  • Boating Rules & Safety
  • Family Fishing Tips
  • Hunter Education & Safety
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  • Snowmobile Education & Safety

Learn & Explore

  • Classroom & Teacher Resources

    Get workshops and activities to explore the Iowa outdoors with your class and students.

  • Forest Safety & Learning

    Learn how to take care of Iowa's forests by preserving and protecting when you visit.

  • Project WILD & WILD Aquatic

    Access workshops, online guides, resources, and more to explore the wild outdoors.

  • Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW)

    An opportunity for anyone 18 years or older to learn outdoor skills associated with many outdoor pursuits.

Group of people exploring the mouth of Maquoketa Cave
Iowa State Parks Passport

Visit. Check In. Earn Prizes.

Sign up and download the Iowa State Parks Passport on your mobile device to earn points toward prizes and giveaway opportunities while discovering Iowa's hidden gems.

Explore the Parks Passport

News Releases

View All DNR News Releases
May 27, 2025

Iowa’s 2025 pheasant hatch is underway

The first reports of pheasant chick broods have been coming in to the Iowa DNR over the past two weeks, marking the beginning of the 2025 hatching season.

Iowa's Wildlife
May 27, 2025

Bluegills are biting in small ponds and lakes across Iowa

In late May and early June, male bluegill build nests that female bluegill lay eggs in. Bluegill nests are circular depressions, 1 to 2 feet in diameter.

Fishing
May 23, 2025

Fawning season has arrived, here's what you need to know about deer on the move

Fawning season has officially arrived, which means Iowans will see lots of deer on the move.

Iowa's Wildlife
May 23, 2025

Plan your fishing trip with the new improved DNR mobile-friendly fishing atlas

The Iowa DNR online interactive fishing atlas has been updated to include DNR managed lakes, community fishing ponds, and miles of rivers and trout streams

Fishing
May 23, 2025

Plan your fishing trip with the new improved DNR mobile-friendly fishing atlas

The popular Iowa DNR online interactive fishing atlas has been updated to include DNR managed lakes, community fishing ponds, and much more.

Fishing
May 22, 2025

Air quality permits for review, published 05/22/2025

The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect Iowans’ health and the air where we live.

Air Quality Draft Permits

Department of Natural Resources

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Iowa DNR Customer Service

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