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Mobile Education Exhibit returns, available for reservations

Mobile Education Exhibit returns, available for reservations

  • 7/11/2024 2:05:00 PM
  • View Count 3780
After a brief hiatus, the Iowa DNR is excited to announce the return of our Mobile Education Exhibit - an incredible way to learn about how your everyday activities impact the environment and what you can do to reduce your impact through changes to consumption and management of energy, food, water and waste.
Sand Creek Wildlife Area is a birder, hunters paradise

Sand Creek Wildlife Area is a birder, hunters paradise

  • 7/2/2024 12:34:00 PM
  • View Count 3610
Tucked in to the rolling hills of southern Iowa’s Decatur County is Sand Creek Wildlife Area, a 3,700-acre destination for deer hunters and bird watchers. Here, cell service disappears and nature’s sounds take over – this isn’t a white noise machine – it’s the real thing.
After years of cloudy conditions, the Trout Run project is aiming for a brighter future for an essential water source in northeast Iowa.

After years of cloudy conditions, the Trout Run project is aiming for a brighter future for an essential water source in northeast Iowa.

  • 5/23/2024 8:12:00 AM
  • View Count 2845
A new phase of watershed project work has begun in Decorah with the approval of the Trout Run Watershed Plan. The Trout Run and Siewers Spring project, funded by EPA Section 319 grants, is a collaboration between the DNR 319 Program and DNR Fisheries. The project aims to provide increased technical assistance and cost-share for soil health and water quality practices for farmers and landowners in the watershed.
World Migratory Bird Day is May 11

World Migratory Bird Day is May 11

  • 5/7/2024 12:05:00 PM
  • View Count 2151
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) has been raising awareness about the importance of migratory bird conservation since 1993. On May 11, WMBD is a chance to celebrate migratory birds across countries and continents. This year’s theme is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds."
USDA announces Conservation Reserve Program general signup for 2024

USDA announces Conservation Reserve Program general signup for 2024

  • 3/5/2024 12:02:00 PM
  • View Count 2870
DES MOINES, Iowa – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can begin signing up for the general Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) starting March 4 and running through March 29, 2024.
Central Iowa birding opportunities abound at Chichaqua - Neal Smith Bird Conservation Area

Central Iowa birding opportunities abound at Chichaqua - Neal Smith Bird Conservation Area

  • 7/5/2023 12:08:00 PM
  • View Count 3736
Dedicated in the spring of 2005, the Chichaqua-Neal Smith Grassland Bird Conservation Area (BCA) is an important stop along the bird migration. Based on weather radar, an estimated 800 million birds migrate through Iowa in the spring, and up to one billion in the fall, which puts Iowa in the top five states in the country for volume.
Celebrate the Civilian Conservation Corps’ 90th Anniversary at these parks

Celebrate the Civilian Conservation Corps’ 90th Anniversary at these parks

  • 3/30/2023 2:45:00 PM
  • View Count 4889
From atop an observation tower to an overlook by a lake and even the steps beneath your feet, the men of the Civilian Conservation Corps touched many significant structures in Iowa’s State Parks. Celebrate the CCC’s 90th anniversary, March 31, by visiting these stand-out examples of CCC projects in Iowa.
DNR to eliminate the remaining fish population at Pioneer Park Pond

DNR to eliminate the remaining fish population at Pioneer Park Pond

  • 10/25/2022 11:50:00 AM
  • View Count 3511
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. 
Monarch Conservation Effort Report highlights Iowans' hard work

Monarch Conservation Effort Report highlights Iowans' hard work

  • 10/5/2022 6:52:00 AM
  • View Count 3152
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

Spring snow goose hunting season open through May 1

  • 3/8/2022 1:40:00 PM
  • View Count 5485
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

Saylorville Lake to host bald eagle watch Feb. 27

  • 2/22/2022 11:38:00 AM
  • View Count 2203
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. 
Olympic hopeful pro skaters promote fishing and the outdoors while visiting Iowa

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

  • 5/19/2021 3:11:00 PM
  • View Count 1332
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

Iowa DNR adds four conservation officers

  • 1/12/2021 12:36:00 PM
  • View Count 5098
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

Conservation Reserve Program general signup open through Feb. 12

  • 1/12/2021 12:35:00 PM
  • View Count 2632
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 to eliminate the remaining fish population at Hickory Grove Lake

DNR to eliminate the remaining fish population at Hickory Grove Lake

  • 7/21/2020 12:48:00 PM
  • View Count 3547
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.
Efforts to remove carp continue at Hickory Grove Lake

Efforts to remove carp continue at Hickory Grove Lake

  • 5/5/2020 12:02:00 PM
  • View Count 3274
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

6 tips for soaking up more stormwater in your yard

  • 4/20/2020 1:44:00 PM
  • View Count 9183
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 assistance available for landowners interested in CRP

DNR assistance available for landowners interested in CRP

  • 1/28/2020 3:32:00 PM
  • View Count 2471
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

DNR conservation officer assists with ice rescue

  • 12/30/2019 9:24:00 AM
  • View Count 4244
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

Iowa DNR concludes investigation into Court Ave incident

  • 10/10/2019 1:52:00 PM
  • View Count 2665
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

Two DNR Conservation Officers placed on leave following incident Thursday

  • 9/21/2019 3:48:00 PM
  • View Count 2622
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.
Public meeting to discuss Windmill Lake fish renovation this fall

Public meeting to discuss Windmill Lake fish renovation this fall

  • 4/23/2019 3:20:00 PM
  • View Count 2551
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.
Help a Bat: Build a Bat House!

Help a Bat: Build a Bat House!

  • 10/31/2018 1:13:00 PM
  • View Count 12607
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

Meet Iowa's smallest carnivore

  • 8/15/2018 9:54:00 AM
  • View Count 28541
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

Water level to drop at Hickory Grove Lake ahead of restoration

  • 7/24/2018 12:15:00 PM
  • View Count 3949
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.
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