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DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: EasterReturn

The Bat Renaissance: Why Bats are Cool NOT Spooky!

• 10/25/2022 2:06:00 PM
• View Count 6101

In popular culture, bats are creatures to be feared, especially this time of year with their association with Halloween and all things spooky.

Easter Lake watershed improvement efforts receive national recognition

• 3/4/2021 3:11:00 PM
• View Count 2429

DES MOINES -- A project behind a major renovation effort to improve water quality in Easter Lake, located on Des Moines’ south side, has received national recognition.

Contracts and tour on Environmental Protection agenda

• 8/15/2019 3:13:00 PM
• View Count 2309

DES MOINES - Contracts and a tour of Easter Lake watershed improvement project are the highlights of the Aug. 20 Environmental Protection Commission meeting in Des Moines.

Easter Lake Park celebration to highlight lake restoration project and Mark C. Ackelson Trail grand opening

• 6/18/2019 2:06:00 PM
• View Count 3137

DES MOINES, Iowa - A celebration of a decade of restoration efforts at Easter Lake will take place Sunday, June 23rd, from 1-5 pm at the Easter Lake Park Beach, located at 2883 East Watrous Avenue in Des Moines. A grand opening of the Mark C. Ackelson trail will also take place at the event.

DNR to eliminate common carp and gizzard shad at Easter Lake

• 11/13/2018 1:01:00 PM
• View Count 3861

Des Moines - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Polk County Conservation Board, City of Des Moines, Polk Soil & Water Conservation District, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship – Division of Soil Conservation, and other partners started working in 2008 to improve habitat and water quality at Easter Lake on the southeast edge of Des Moines.

Did you know that Iowa has nine species of bats?

• 10/25/2018 8:24:00 AM
• View Count 26578

Two of the most common bats in Iowa are the little brown bat (Myotis lucifigus) and the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus). Like all of the bats in Iowa, they are insectivores and are critical for keeping Iowa’s insect populations in check.

9 animals you probably won’t see in Iowa

• 8/4/2017 2:15:00 PM
• View Count 53245

Whether they are on the endangered species list, only come out during certain times of the year, or are simply hard to see, these animals are rarely seen in Iowa.

Water level to drop at Easter Lake ahead of renovation this spring

• 12/20/2016 10:58:00 AM
• View Count 4347

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources with the Polk County Conservation, Polk Soil and Water Conservation District, Natural Resources Conservation Service and the City of Des Moines will begin another phase of work on Easter Lake to improve habitat and water quality on the 179-acre lake on the southeast edge of Des Moines.

Iowa owl identification guide

• 12/5/2016 2:51:00 PM
• View Count 100120

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.

Scouting encouraged for duck hunters in Eastern Iowa flood zone

• 9/28/2016 3:00:00 PM
• View Count 4027

Duck hunters planning to hunt public wildlife marshes, lakes, sloughs, river bottoms or flats in eastern Iowa are encouraged to scout the areas before they plan to hunt.

Boaters Cautioned to Avoid Dredge Pipe on Des Moines River

• 9/13/2016 12:58:00 PM
• View Count 4042

Boaters using the Des Moines River below the wastewater treatment plant on the southeast side of Des Moines should be aware that due to lower flows coming out of Saylorville Reservoir, two dredge pipes running from a nearby rock quarry to Easter Lake are near the water’s surface.

Eastern Iowa Minor Source Emission Inventory Reports Due May 15

• 5/6/2016 8:39:00 AM
• View Count 5085

Minor source facilities located in the eastern third of Iowa must submit their Minor Source Emission Inventory (MSEI) for calendar year 2015 emissions to the Iowa DNR Air Quality Bureau by May 15, 2016.

6 Nature Foolers: Can You Tell the Difference?

• 7/10/2015 8:54:00 AM
• View Count 20324

Mimicry is about more than flattery for these Iowa organisms. Looking similar to a dangerous model helps the mimics of these pairs avoid confrontation, predation and disturbance, particularly from animals that learn to pick a meal based on what its prey looks like. Can you tell the difference?

How to Create Natural Dyes for Easter Eggs and Other DIY Projects [Tutorial]

• 4/3/2015 6:39:00 AM
• View Count 10106

Create super intense Easter eggs that outshine those made with store-bought dyes with these foraged, natural dyes. Get outside with a friend or loved one to gather plants and brew a tempest of color. The dyes are easily frozen for later use.