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Annual spring wildlife survey underway

Annual spring wildlife survey underway

  • 4/4/2017 12:41:00 PM
  • View Count 3714
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

Remember the Chickadee Check-off as tax season winds down

  • 4/4/2017 12:37:00 PM
  • View Count 3354
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.
Iowans celebrate water quality successes in annual review

Iowans celebrate water quality successes in annual review

  • 3/23/2017 11:54:00 AM
  • View Count 3782
DES MOINES — The efforts of Iowans to improve Iowa’s lakes, rivers and streams have resulted in success stories across the state, and a new publication is showcasing some of the most impressive efforts over the last decade. 
Two bald eagles found shot in Webster County

Two bald eagles found shot in Webster County

  • 3/21/2017 11:49:00 AM
  • View Count 32126
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is looking for the person or persons responsible for shooting two bald eagles in Webster County.
Six Iowa state parks to host University of Iowa wildlife camps

Six Iowa state parks to host University of Iowa wildlife camps

  • 3/7/2017 12:11:00 PM
  • View Count 8876
This summer, six Iowa state parks will host University of Iowa Wildlife Camps for families living near the parks. The popular conservation education day camp program will be offered at Maquoketa Caves, Mines of Spain, George Wyth, Springbrook, Viking Lake and Ledges state parks.
Group mapping out way to save the monarch butterfly

Group mapping out way to save the monarch butterfly

  • 2/28/2017 12:52:00 PM
  • View Count 10700
The recent study by the Mexican government released on Feb. 9 found the monarch butterfly population wintering in Mexico dropped by 27 percent this year, returning its population to historically low levels.
Cool things you should know about Cooper's hawks

Cool things you should know about Cooper's hawks

  • 2/24/2017 4:14:00 PM
  • View Count 20861
Cooper’s hawks (Accipiter cooperii) are one of Iowa’s three accipiter species. (Accipiter is Latin for hawk and these species are primarily woodland raptors.) The Cooper’s hawk primarily dines on other birds. It’s the most widespread accipiter on the continent, with a range at least seasonally stretching from Panama to the southern tier of Canadian provinces.
Go wild - posters help support Iowa wildlife

Go wild - posters help support Iowa wildlife

  • 2/23/2017 11:15:00 AM
  • View Count 13090
What do monarchs and warblers have in common? They, along with more than 1,000 other birds, reptiles, insects, mammals and amphibians, rely on Iowans to support wildlife diversity initiatives in the state.
Clayton County deer tests positive for chronic wasting disease

Clayton County deer tests positive for chronic wasting disease

  • 2/1/2017 8:25:00 AM
  • View Count 13979
A wild deer taken during the 2016 deer hunting season northwest of Elkader has tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), which is the first CWD positive wild deer confirmed outside of Allamakee County.
Eagle found shot at Polk County park

Eagle found shot at Polk County park

  • 1/26/2017 1:35:00 PM
  • View Count 28503
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is looking for the person or persons responsible for shooting a bald eagle at Yellow Banks County Park, near the Des Moines River on the southeast side of Des Moines, and removing its head and talons.
Muskrat trapping season extended to April 1 on Ventura Marsh

Muskrat trapping season extended to April 1 on Ventura Marsh

  • 1/24/2017 3:45:00 PM
  • View Count 4155
VENTURA - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is extending the muskrat trapping season on Ventura Marsh from Feb. 1 to April 1 to reduce the muskrat population and preserve the beneficial vegetation in the marsh.  This extension is only for muskrats and only for Ventura Marsh.
Garner to oversee DNR’s conservation and recreation division

Garner to oversee DNR’s conservation and recreation division

  • 1/24/2017 12:20:00 PM
  • View Count 8859
DES MOINES – Iowa Department of Natural Resources director Chuck Gipp has promoted Dr. Dale Garner to lead the division that oversees the Lands and Waters, Forestry, State Parks, Law Enforcement, Fisheries and Wildlife bureaus, replacing Kelley Myers who has accepted a position with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  
Iowa citizens playing key role in tracking imperiled wildlife

Iowa citizens playing key role in tracking imperiled wildlife

  • 1/24/2017 12:19:00 PM
  • View Count 5816
It’s 10:00 on a summer night along a gravel road anywhere in Iowa.  In the farm pond next to the road a raucous chorus of male frogs are making themselves heard as they vie for mates.  A volunteer stands clipboard in hand, ear cocked, mentally sorting out each of the calling species using this seemingly ordinary pond. 
Chickadee tax check-off hopes for a needed increase in donations on 2016 tax forms

Chickadee tax check-off hopes for a needed increase in donations on 2016 tax forms

  • 1/24/2017 12:17:00 PM
  • View Count 6155
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 tax form.  Despite a steady increase in the total number of returns since 2009, this amount has stayed roughly the same since 2010, with only small fluctuations.
Central Iowa trumpeter swan soiree

Central Iowa trumpeter swan soiree

  • 1/17/2017 1:02:00 PM
  • View Count 7997
The public is invited to a Trumpeter Swan Soiree, celebrating North America’s largest waterfowl species at the Blank Park Zoo Friday, Jan. 27 from 6-8 p.m., and at Walnut Woods State Park on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 10:30 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Why do bats hang upside down?

Why do bats hang upside down?

  • 12/8/2016 3:06:00 PM
  • View Count 69480
Unlike birds, bats have trouble with takeoffs from the ground. Their wings are not as strong as those of birds and they cannot run fast enough to build up flight speed. Bats have an easier time flying when they start already in the air. They use their front claws on their wings to climb to a high spot and launch themselves to achieve flight.
Registration is open for 2017 Invasive Species Conference

Registration is open for 2017 Invasive Species Conference

  • 12/7/2016 10:28:00 AM
  • View Count 4944
Online registration is open and a preliminary agenda available for the 2017 Iowa Invasive Species Conference on March 28 – 29, 2017 at the Honey Creek Resort at Rathbun Lake, in Moravia.
Iowa owl identification guide

Iowa owl identification guide

  • 12/5/2016 2:51:00 PM
  • View Count 95251
That tell-tale disc-shaped face tells you it’s an owl, sure – but which one? Iowa has nine different species that call our state home, whether full-time or part-time, and you can find them in a number of different habitats. Here’s what to look for.
Special $10 offer for Iowa Outdoors magazine

Special $10 offer for Iowa Outdoors magazine

  • 11/29/2016 11:39:00 AM
  • View Count 4162
Do you know someone who loves the outdoors? Give the gift that lasts all year long. Iowa Outdoors is an award-winning magazine filled with beautiful photography, compelling articles and expert tips about hunting, fishing, nature destinations, hiking, camping, outdoor cooking and much more! 
7 Ways to Skip the Crowds and Take It Outside this Holiday Season

7 Ways to Skip the Crowds and Take It Outside this Holiday Season

  • 11/21/2016 3:57:00 PM
  • View Count 15597
Find time to take it outside this holiday season. Pick an activity based on weather conditions and your condition, and just get outside. Iowa’s state parks, recreation areas and forests are ready to supply the dose of nature we all need to decompress during this stressful time of year.
6 cool facts about northern bobwhite quail

6 cool facts about northern bobwhite quail

  • 11/16/2016 11:23:00 AM
  • View Count 24301
Northern bobwhite quail were once staple gamebirds for Midwestern settlers, but changes in the Midwestern landscape threatened their populations throughout the 1900s. Read on to see how they’re doing today and get more closely acquainted with Iowa’s only quail: the bobwhite.
Meeting set to discuss proposed bird conservation area

Meeting set to discuss proposed bird conservation area

  • 11/1/2016 3:42:00 PM
  • View Count 4366
The public is invited to discuss a proposed bird conservation area (BCA) at a public meeting on Nov. 16. The BCA designation will include Indian Bluffs State Preserve and Pictured Rocks Wildlife Management Area in eastern Iowa's Jones County. 
Central Iowa wildlife areas beginning annual fall burns to benefit wildlife

Central Iowa wildlife areas beginning annual fall burns to benefit wildlife

  • 10/20/2016 8:30:00 AM
  • View Count 3550
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources plans to conduct prescribed burns on select wildlife areas in Polk and Marion counties between October and December to improve wildlife habitat, control invasive plant species, and restore and maintain native plant communities. 
Aerial spraying planned to combat invasive plants on wildlife areas

Aerial spraying planned to combat invasive plants on wildlife areas

  • 10/20/2016 8:29:00 AM
  • View Count 4790
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be aerial spraying for bush honeysuckle on the Mount Ayr, Sand Creek, Dekalb and Red Rock Wildlife Management areas (WMA) in south central Iowa through mid-November.  Spraying will occur after most trees have lost their leaves but while the honeysuckle leaves are still green.
Southern Iowa wildlife areas beginning annual fall burns to benefit wildlife

Southern Iowa wildlife areas beginning annual fall burns to benefit wildlife

  • 10/20/2016 8:27:00 AM
  • View Count 4268
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources plans to conduct prescribed burns on select wildlife areas in Ringgold, Union, Decatur, Adair, and Adams counties between October and December to improve wildlife habitat, control invasive plant species, and restore and maintain native plant communities. 
Quail on the rise in Iowa

Quail on the rise in Iowa

  • 10/13/2016 8:52:00 AM
  • View Count 24568
Loren Zaruba looked on in excitement—it was the wildlife identification section of the annual Youth Hunter Education Challenge. He and his wife, Ellen, had spent the last three months working with a handful of young competitors, so when the speaker played a familiar “bob-white” call, Loren beamed. But as the teenagers’ faces turned blank and unsure, he realized that question wasn’t easy anymore—hunter or not, none of the youngsters had seen or heard a bobwhite quail.
8 cool things you should know about rabbits

8 cool things you should know about rabbits

  • 10/5/2016 3:03:00 PM
  • View Count 45120
Rabbits are a common pet, pest and prey, but how much do you really know about them? Check out the facts below to see why bunnies are important in Iowa and around the world.
View raptors at the High Trestle hawk watch

View raptors at the High Trestle hawk watch

  • 10/4/2016 1:44:00 PM
  • View Count 4305
Join experts and birding novices at the family-friendly High Trestle Hawk Watch Saturday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The hawk watch will be at the High Trestle Bridge’s main viewing platform on the west side of the bridge and the new shelter on the east side of the bridge.
11 tips and tricks to handle “nuisance” wildlife responsibly

11 tips and tricks to handle “nuisance” wildlife responsibly

  • 9/23/2016 3:12:00 PM
  • View Count 20360
Not every furry face has to be your favorite, but you can support a healthy ecosystem by choosing to handle your wildlife woes responsibly. Rather than exterminating these common “nuisance” critters, use the following tips to avoid problems while preserving wildlife in your area.
9 Cool Things You Should Know About Ducks

9 Cool Things You Should Know About Ducks

  • 9/7/2016 10:04:00 AM
  • View Count 30172
Ducks are one of the most recognizable bird families in the world thanks to their funky webbed feet, colorful plumage and big bills. The family is expansive, and Iowa alone is habitat for about 25 duck species every year.
Blank Park Zoo Monarch Festival

Blank Park Zoo Monarch Festival

  • 9/6/2016 1:30:00 PM
  • View Count 4816
Come celebrate the monarch’s journey from Canada, through Iowa, to Mexico at the 2016 Monarch Festival on Sunday, September 18 from 12-4 p.m. at Blank Park Zoo, in Des Moines.
7 Cool Facts to Know About Iowa Pelicans

7 Cool Facts to Know About Iowa Pelicans

  • 9/1/2016 1:54:00 PM
  • View Count 55000
You read that right, there are pelicans in Iowa. Hundreds of them spend their summers on Iowa wetlands, and large number nest on islands within the Mississippi River. While most people associate the fish-eating behemoth family and their unique beaks with coastal areas, American white pelicans are actually inland birds with main breeding grounds near the Great Lakes and southern Canada. Keep an eye out for them flying through this spring and summer - they’re pretty hard to miss!
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