DNR News Releases

Iowa’s pheasant season is expected to be a repeat of 2021

10/11/2022 11:53:00 AM
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Iowa’s 2022 pheasant season is expected to be another good one when more than 60,000 plus blaze orange clad hunters take to the fields on Oct. 29. And based on the results of the August pheasant survey, hunters can afford to be optimistic.

Natural Resource Commission to meet Oct. 13 in Des Moines

10/7/2022 12:08:00 PM
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Des Moines – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold its monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m., Oct. 13, in the Wallace State Office Building, second floor conference room, 502 East Ninth Street, in Des Moines. The meeting is open to the public.

Comment period extended to Oct. 21 for AFO rule revisions

10/7/2022 11:04:00 AM
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The DNR is extending the deadline for providing informal comment to proposed rules for animal feeding operations in Iowa. The new deadline is October 21, 2022.

Air Quality Client Contact Meeting: Opportunity to Submit Agenda Items

10/7/2022 10:59:00 AM
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The DNR’s Air Quality Bureau is accepting agenda topics for the upcoming Air Quality Client Contact Meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 17, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held virtually and details will be provided when the final agenda is announced, approximately two weeks prior to the meeting.

Air Quality permits under review, published 10/6/2022

10/6/2022 3:05:00 PM
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DES MOINES – The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect Iowans’ health and air quality.

Public comment period for intent to withdraw Cedar River watershed nitrate TMDL

10/6/2022 3:00:00 PM
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DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comment on the DNR’s intent to withdraw the Cedar River watershed nitrate total maximum daily load (TMDL).

EPC to review beverage container deposit, air quality rules at Oct. 11 meeting

10/6/2022 2:58:00 PM
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DES MOINES - The Environmental Protection Commission will review requests to approve two Notices of Intended Action, one to amend Iowa Code relating to beverage container deposits and another to update several chapters of Iowa Code related to air quality rules at its Oct. 11 meeting.

Water Summary Update: Water Year ends on a downward trend

10/6/2022 2:53:00 PM
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DES MOINES - After yet another month of below normal precipitation across the state, the water year ended with deteriorating conditions across Iowa, according to the latest Water Summary Update.

Award-winning conservation education professional development scheduled this fall

10/5/2022 7:04:00 AM
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is sponsoring professional development for K–12 and early childhood educators this fall.

Learn to Hunt program opens registration for upland bird virtual Q & A panel discussion

10/5/2022 7:02:00 AM
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DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a virtual program to teach skills needed to hunt, field dress and cook upland birds to those with little or no upland bird hunting experience.

Introductory trapping course brings a mix of youth and adults to Oakland Mills area

10/5/2022 6:59:00 AM
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The Henry County Conservation Board’s Oakland Mills Nature Center on the south side of the Skunk River was the host site where 18 participants experienced a hands-on introductory course on furharvesting on Sept. 24.

Wait until after Oct. 15 to prune oak trees

10/5/2022 6:54:00 AM
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The best way to prevent the spread of oak wilt is to not prune any oak tree during the growing season.

Monarch Conservation Effort Report highlights Iowans' hard work

10/5/2022 6:52:00 AM
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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.

DeVoss-Foster Wildlife Area offers visitors a unique, solitary experience in southern Van Buren County

10/5/2022 6:49:00 AM
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Just north of Cantril in southcentral Van Buren County, is the DeVoss-Foster Wildlife Area, a 330-acre mix of grassland, wetland and timber.

Peter Zayudis Named Air Quality Construction Permit Supervisor

10/3/2022 1:29:00 PM
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Peter Zayudis has been chosen as the new Construction Permit Section Supervisor for Air Quality. He officially started his new responsibilities on September 16.

Duck hunters encouraged to use safe boating practices while on the water

9/30/2022 2:39:00 PM
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Duck hunters who hunt from a boat are encouraged to include boating safety as part of their hunting plan. Waterfowl hunters use boats on some of the coldest days of the year.

Duck season begins Oct. 1 in Iowa’s north zone

9/30/2022 2:31:00 PM
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Waterfowlers have waited all year for this: for the next three weekends in Iowa, there will be an opening day for duck and goose hunting. The north zone opens on Oct. 1, the central zone opens on Oct. 8 and the south zone opens on Oct. 15. Each zone is open seven days, then close for seven days, before re-opening.

Air Quality permits under review for Sept. 29

9/29/2022 11:02:00 AM
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DES MOINES – The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect Iowans’ health and air quality. DNR’s permitting staff review each permit application to ensure facilities comply with state and federal air quality requirements.

Boone Forks Wildlife Area offers rugged outdoor experience in north central Iowa

9/27/2022 2:16:00 PM
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The confluence of the Des Moines and Boone rivers has been attracting visitors since before Iowa was a state. Today, its home to the 4,600-acre Boone Forks Wildlife Area – a popular spot for hunting, hiking, paddling, fishing and birding in Webster and Hamilton counties.

Bowhunters encouraged to practice the ABCs of tree stand safety

9/27/2022 2:14:00 PM
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Tree stand incidents can happen to deer hunters regardless of skill level or experience and result in serious injury or even death. Unfortunately, in nearly every case, these incidents were preventable.

Iowa’s archery deer hunting season begins Oct. 1

9/27/2022 1:57:00 PM
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An estimated 60,000 hunters will be heading to the timber in the next few weeks as Iowa’s archery deer season gets underway Oct. 1. With some careful planning and scouting, hunters can capitalize on the predictable behavior of deer in the early fall.

A Land of Plenty Wasted - Food Waste in Iowa

9/26/2022 3:13:00 PM
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Mention landfills and most people envision diapers or plastic bags, but here’s some food for thought—think about what didn’t go into our mouths, because in Iowa landfills—food waste takes the cake.

It's NOT a Rattlesnake!

9/23/2022 4:56:00 PM
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Rattlesnakes can be scary. They have fangs and venom and can potentially kill or maim you if startled or threatened. Rattlesnakes are very uncommon in Iowa with the Timber Rattlesnake being the most widespread species.

Randolph Access closed for road improvements through late October

9/23/2022 3:25:00 PM
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Marengo - The Randolph Access, west of Marengo off Hwy. 212, will be closed Sept. 26 – Oct. 21. The access will be under construction to improve road condition and drainage.

Air Quality permits under review, published 9/22/2022

9/22/2022 11:39:00 AM
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DES MOINES – The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect Iowans’ health and air quality. DNR’s permitting staff review each permit application to ensure facilities comply with state and federal air quality requirements.

State Preserve Advisory Board tours Yellow River State Forest and Turkey River Mounds State Preserve

9/20/2022 11:55:00 AM
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The State Preserve Advisory Board will tour Yellow River State Forest and Turkey River Mounds State Preserve to prepare for review of issues that will be discussed at an upcoming business meeting (to be determined and announced later).

Iowa DNR to host public meetings on Chronic Wasting Disease

9/20/2022 11:52:00 AM
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) plans to host three meetings in October to provide an update to the public on chronic wasting disease surveillance and management efforts.

Series of islands in Mississippi River pools 16, 17 and 18 are public wildlife areas offering visitors rugged, solitary experience

9/20/2022 11:36:00 AM
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Situated between the Quad Cities on the north and Burlington to the south is a number of islands that many Iowans may not know are open for public use.

Don't let that fish of a lifetime get away

9/19/2022 1:49:00 PM
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For anglers, preparation and expectation can make all the difference.Think back on conversations with other anglers. No doubt you’ve heard tales of woe about the biggest fish they ever hooked. “It was a monstrous behemoth, possibly a new state record!”

DNR enforcement actions for Sept. 15

9/15/2022 10:34:00 AM
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DES MOINES – DNR staff work with individuals, businesses and communities to help them protect our natural resources by complying with state and federal laws. This approach is very effective. In the few cases where compliance cannot be achieved, the DNR issues enforcement actions.

EPC to review budget, revolving fund use plans, contracts at Sept. 20 meeting

9/15/2022 10:34:00 AM
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DES MOINES— The Environmental Protection Commission will review the DNR’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget request and will be asked to approve several contracts as well as plans from the State Revolving Fund at its Sept. 20 meeting.

Air Quality permits under review for Sept. 15

9/15/2022 10:33:00 AM
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he DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect Iowans’ health and air quality. DNR’s permitting staff review each permit application to ensure facilities comply with state and federal air quality requirements.

On-stream Impoundment Restoration fund offers opportunities to improve water quality on eligible on-stream impoundments

9/13/2022 12:25:00 PM
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DES MOINES – The on-stream impoundment restoration fund, created by the Iowa Legislature in 2021 and administered by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), will award funds to improve water quality and recreational opportunities on eligible on-stream impoundments throughout Iowa.

Aggressive treatment planned for Eurasian watermilfoil found in the Iowa Great Lakes

9/13/2022 12:22:00 PM
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SPIRIT LAKE - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will start treating East Okoboji, Upper Gar, Lake Minnewashta, and Lower Gar this week with the approved aquatic herbicide, Sonar A.S. to eliminate Eurasian watermoilfoil.

Lend a hand in a state park at Statewide Volunteer Day on Sept. 24

9/13/2022 12:20:00 PM
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Iowans are invited to lend a hand at the Department of Natural Resources’ sixth annual Statewide Volunteer Day on Sept. 24. Several parks across the state will be hosting volunteer events to help spruce up trails, buildings and other park amenities.

Iowa DNR accepting comments on proposed walleye length limit changes on Lake Rathbun

9/13/2022 12:18:00 PM
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MORAVIA - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting comments on proposed changes to walleye length limits on Lake Rathbun, through Sept. 29.

Habitat work continues on prairie, timber at Miami Lake Wildlife Area

9/13/2022 12:16:00 PM
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Lovilia, Iowa - Month by month, year by year, change is coming to Miami Lake Wildlife Area.

Fuel Spill in West Nodaway River, Cass County

9/12/2022 10:00:00 AM
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CASS COUNTY, IOWA-- On Thursday, Sept. 8, the Iowa DNR was notified that a crane overturned into the West Nodaway River approximately 2-3 miles northeast of Massena in Cass County. It was initially reported that approximately 20 gallons of diesel and engine fuel from the crane were spilled.

ATV fatality at Olin Access Wildlife Management Area in Jones County

9/12/2022 8:49:00 AM
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OLIN - At approximately 3:30 AM on Saturday, September 10th, James Daniel Minor, age 35 of Olin, drove off the roadway at the Olin Access Wildlife Management Area in Jones County.

The Migratory Dragonfly

9/8/2022 1:54:00 PM
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If you’ve been lucky you may have had the surprising pleasure of happening upon a Common Green Darner (Anax junius) swarm in the late summer and early fall. Maybe you’ve been hiking through the prairie or even just sitting in your yard when suddenly, everywhere you look, there are dragonflies, skimming along the tops of the grasses.

Water Summary Update: Drought expands in Iowa after another dry month

9/8/2022 1:52:00 PM
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DES MOINES — Iowa’s August precipitation was 3.53 inches, or 0.6 inches below normal for the month, according to the latest Water Summary Update.

DNR collecting public comment on rule revisions to Iowa’s Beverage Container Control Rules

9/6/2022 1:08:00 PM
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DES MOINES – The Iowa DNR is seeking informal comment on proposed rule revisions to the Beverage Container Control Rules in Iowa’s Administrative Code.

Water level to drop at West Swan Lake ahead of restoration

9/6/2022 1:02:00 PM
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GRUVER - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will start lowering the water level at West Swan Lake, near Gruver in Emmet County as part of a restoration project to improve its water quality, eliminate a rough fish population and provide quality habitat for fish and wildlife.