DNR News Releases

Search for a News Release

Press/Media inquiries: PIO@dnr.iowa.gov

DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: conservationReturn

Popular hunting camp for boys still has space available

• 7/10/2018 2:06:00 PM
• View Count 3096

POLK CITY – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Hunting and Conservation Camp, designed to introduce a variety of outdoor skills to young men ages 12-15, is still accepting registrations.

Latest CRP continuous signup offers well-timed management solution for waterlogged Iowa farmers

• 7/3/2018 11:40:00 AM
• View Count 13184

Heavy rainfall in late spring and early summer has caused widespread ponding and flooding in northwest and north-central Iowa, but a recently announced continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup provides farmers a well-timed opportunity to find long-term solutions for these problem spots in their fields.

Continuous Conservation Reserve Program signup reopens until August 17

• 6/12/2018 11:53:00 AM
• View Count 3946

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has re-opened the signup window for Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) until Aug. 17, 2018. An estimated 1.3 million acres is available nationally to be enrolled.

New plan aims to reverse monarch butterfly decline

• 5/15/2018 12:03:00 PM
• View Count 5222

The Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (MAFWA) welcomes public comments through May 31 on a draft conservation plan that provides a blueprint for reversing the decline of the eastern monarch butterfly population.

Iowans working to protect and improve water quality mark Soil and Water Conservation Week

• 4/30/2018 3:10:00 PM
• View Count 5016

Iowans working together in their communities and backyards to improve soil and water quality, many with the help of DNR assistance and funding, are marking Soil and Water Conservation week April 29-May 5 to celebrate their achievements and inspire others to begin work on their own land.

Soap Creek and Stephens State Forest to become a bird conservation area

• 1/23/2018 9:07:00 AM
• View Count 5720

OTTUMWA - A public ceremony to dedicate Soap Creek and Eldon Wildlife Areas, Stephens State Forest Unionville Unit, Lake Wapello State Park, and a portion of the Soap Creek watershed as Iowa’s newest Bird Conservation Area (BCA) will take place on Thursday, February 8 at 1:30 pm.

DNR investigates Wright County hunt​​ing ​​​​inc​​ident

• 11/30/2017 8:19:00 AM
• View Count 20007

WRIGHT COUNTY, Iowa – DNR conservation officers responded to a personal injury hunting incident on November 29 around 1:20 p.m., in southwestern Wright County.

Public meeting to discuss bird conservation area near Ottumwa

• 11/21/2017 11:43:00 AM
• View Count 3929

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will discuss the proposed designation of the region including Soap Creek, Fox Hills and Eldon Wildlife areas, Stephens State Forest, Lake Wapello State Park and Pioneer Ridge Nature Area as a state Bird Conservation Area (BCA) during a public meeting on Dec. 7. 

Meeting to discuss proposed bird conservation area in Lower Loess Hills set for Aug. 17

• 8/1/2017 11:46:00 AM
• View Count 3393

HAMBURG – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will discuss its proposed designation of the region that includes Waubonsie State Park and Riverton and Forney Lake wildlife areas as a state Bird Conservation Area (BCA) at a public meeting on Aug. 17. 

New cabin opens at Stone State Park

• 6/13/2017 12:44:00 PM
• View Count 6845

A new camping cabin is available for rent at Stone State Park in Sioux City.  A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for Tuesday, June 20 at 5:30 p.m. 

Indian Bluffs and Pictured Rocks wildlife areas to become a bird conservation area

• 4/25/2017 12:27:00 PM
• View Count 5776

MONTICELLO – A public ceremony to dedicate the Indian Bluffs and Pictured Rocks wildlife areas including the privately owned Indian Bluffs State Preserve as Iowa’s newest Bird Conservation Area (BCA) will take place on May 10 at 1:30 p.m.  The event will be held at the Pictured Rocks Pavilion, located about four miles southeast of Monticello at the east end of 190th Street and just north of the boat ramp, located on the west side of the South Fork Maquoketa River.

Group mapping out way to save the monarch butterfly

• 2/28/2017 12:52:00 PM
• View Count 10823

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.

DNR officer pulls angler from West Lake Osceola

• 2/10/2017 12:56:00 PM
• View Count 15482

Osceola, Iowa - State Conservation Officer Michael Miller was on routine patrol late Friday morning when he saw two men setting up an ice fishing shelter on West Lake Osceola, in southern Iowa.

Garner to oversee DNR’s conservation and recreation division

• 1/24/2017 12:20:00 PM
• View Count 9266

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 awarded 115,000 acres in Conservation Reserve Program for water quality, pollinator, and wildlife habitat improvements

• 1/4/2017 11:50:00 AM
• View Count 19515

Iowa has received an additional 115,000 acres that can be enrolled in the Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for critical wildlife and water quality efforts.

Meeting set to discuss proposed bird conservation area

• 11/1/2016 3:42:00 PM
• View Count 4533

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. 

REAP county conservation grants approved

• 10/18/2016 12:26:00 PM
• View Count 4029

The Natural Resource Commission of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources approved eight Resource Enhancement and Protection grants to County Conservation Boards during its October meeting. The grants totaled $1.29 million. There were 17 applications for the grants.

Public Meeting to Discuss Central Park Lake's Improvement Plan

• 8/30/2016 1:52:00 PM
• View Count 4278

Center Junction – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Jones County Conservation Board will host a public meeting at 6:30 p.m., September 13, at the Central Park Nature Center, to discuss plans for improving water quality and recreational opportunities at Central Park Lake, in Jones County.

Loess Hills Wildlife Area and State Forest Becoming a Bird Conservation Area

• 5/17/2016 12:21:00 PM
• View Count 7197

CASTANA, Iowa – A public ceremony to dedicate the Loess Hills Wildlife Area, Loess Hills State Forest, Preparation Canyon State Park, and a 42 mile section of the Loess Hills (including the Loess Hills National Natural Landmark) as Iowa’s newest Bird Conservation Area (BCA) will take place on Friday, June 3 at 3 pm. 

13th Annual Prairie Chicken Day April 2

• 3/22/2016 8:34:00 AM
• View Count 6349

Kellerton, Iowa - The Kellerton Grasslands Bird Conservation Area in southeast Ringgold County will be the site for the 13th annual Prairie Chicken Day on April 2, beginning at 6 a.m., at the booming ground viewing platform.

Coralville Makes Green Strides for Water Quality

• 3/11/2016 7:24:00 AM
• View Count 10818

Generally, Coralville Lake, just upstream from its namesake town, does its job as a flood control reservoir. But the lake was no match for the floods of 1993 and 2008, creating millions of dollars in damages for the eastern Iowa town.

Meeting Set to Discuss Proposed Bird Conservation Area in Loess Hills

• 3/1/2016 9:31:00 AM
• View Count 4547

PISGAH, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will discuss the proposed designation of the region including Loess Hills State Forest, Preparation Canyon State Park, and Loess Hills Wildlife Management Area as a state Bird Conservation Area (BCA) at a public meeting on March 16. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Loess Hills State Forest Visitor Center in Pisgah, two blocks west of State Hwy. 183, at 206 Polk Street.

Iowa Outdoors Begins its 75th Year

• 2/5/2016 8:59:00 AM
• View Count 8699

Launched Feb. 15, 1942 in the dark early years of WWII, the Iowa Conservationist magazine was born.

49th General CRP Signup Underway

• 1/21/2016 6:55:00 AM
• View Count 5041

DES MOINES – Late in December the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the 49th general signup for the popular Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).

Lake Sugema and Lacey-Keosauqua State Park Becoming a Bird Conservation Area

• 9/29/2015 12:00:00 PM
• View Count 5194

KEOSAUQUA – A public ceremony to dedicate Lake Sugema Wildlife Management Area, Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, Shimek State Forest Keosauqua Unit, and a portion of the Fox River watershed as Iowa’s newest Bird Conservation Area (BCA) will take place on October 15 at 1:30 pm. at the Lacey-Keosauqua State Park Lodge.

9 Hidden Surprises at Backbone State Park

• 8/20/2015 9:23:00 AM
• View Count 88533

Backbone is one of Iowa’s largest state parks, checking in at just more than 2,000 acres. Even if you’ve been to the park before, do you really know all the surprises it has to offer? To test your knowledge and find new destinations at the park, check out the featured facts and attractions below from park manager Mary Shea.

Paddle Up To These Secluded Campsites

• 6/19/2015 11:02:00 AM
• View Count 57678

The self-reliant can take advantage of several remote paddle-in primitive campsites, get surrounded by nature and leave other humans behind. The locations make for a Boundary Waters-like experience in Iowa.

7 Things To Do in Iowa's Outdoors This Week

• 5/15/2015 10:01:00 AM
• View Count 7310

While the cool weather forecasted for this week doesn’t seem to herald in the unofficial start of summer, it’s still a great time to get outside. If you’re looking for some new or different ideas to explore Iowa’s outdoors, we have a suggestion for each day of the holiday week:

Eight Historical CCC Parks in Iowa

• 3/31/2015 11:26:00 AM
• View Count 53535

From the iconic boathouse at Backbone, to the spillway at Beeds Lake, to the varied and beautiful stone lodges and shelters within so many of our parks, we owe a debt of gratitude to the men of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Celebrate the CCC’s anniversary, March 31, by learning about these stand-out examples of CCC projects in Iowa.

Wetlands Project Sinks Hole-in-one

• 3/5/2015 4:35:00 AM
• View Count 7140

The cackle of pheasants has returned along the north and west sides of Okoboji View Golf Course in Spirit Lake after a major watershed improvement project created wetlands and native prairie on 350 acres.

Central Park Lake Poised for Return

• 2/20/2015 4:56:00 AM
• View Count 6765

Central Park Lake encompasses only 25 acres, but the 297-acre park is a popular recreation destination in Jones County, despite the lake’s listing as “impaired” due to excess algae, bacteria and pH.

Prairie Strips Help Iowa Farmers, Land and Water

• 2/4/2015 9:47:00 AM
• View Count 6999

“Conservation with a purpose” is how Tim Smith describes his newest farming venture that builds on past work to protect water quality on his Wright County farm.

Page 2 of 2 FirstPrevious 1[2] NextLast