Wildlife Diversity Program
Iowa has over 1,100 species of fish and wildlife! The Wildlife Diversity Program works to preserve and protect Iowa's nongame species, including shorebirds, raptors, songbirds, many small mammals and bats, most amphibians, reptiles, many small fish, butterflies, dragonflies, and more. The program focuses on landscape and ecosystem management, statewide inventory and monitoring of all wildlife species, training volunteer wildlife surveyors, public outreach, species reintroductions, and oversees the implementation of Iowa's Wildlife Action Plan.
Iowa’s Wildlife Action Plan
The Iowa Wildlife Action Plan (IWAP) is a proactive plan designed to conserve all wildlife in Iowa before they become rare and more costly to protect. Developed by a coalition of scientists, sportsmen and women, conservationists, and members of the public, this plan will help protect wildlife and the places they live for future generations. In order to protect Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), the plan prioritizes protecting and enhancing existing habitats, developing new habitats, and increasing broadly-applied conservation efforts to improve aquatic habitats.
Threatened and Endangered Species
Iowa's ecosystems have changed greatly since becoming a state. The prairies have been reduced by more than 99 percent; about 95 percent of the prairie pothole wetlands have been drained; and over half of the original forest is gone. This loss of suitable habitat has led to the decline and loss of species. In order to prevent further loss and help species recover, Iowa enacted their endangered and threatened species law in 1975. The Natural Resource Commission and the Director of the Department of Natural Resources are responsible for the administration of of the current law, Chapter 481B of the code of Iowa.
Wildlife Diseases
Wildlife diseases can cause illness or death to individual animals and significantly affect whole populations. Unfortunately Iowa has confirmed white-nose syndrome in the state, which is known to decimate bat populations. The Iowa DNR also monitors diseases affecting deer, including chronic wasting disease.
Wildlife Research Papers and Reports
Wildlife research, either conducted by our research staff or about Iowa's wildlife will be continually updated here. Topic areas align with the specialties of our wildlife research stations across Iowa.
Hunting
Get all the information you need on hunting wildlife in Iowa!
Wildlife Damage and Control
The DNR is responsible for managing Iowa's wildlife for all of Iowa's citizens. One of the DNR's responsibilities is to provide private landowners with the guidance and assistance they need to effectively deal with wildlife damage, including providing technical advice on how to deal with crop damage.
Injured Wildlife - Wildlife Rehabilitators
For questions regarding injured wildlife please refer to our list of Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitators.