DNR News Releases

Find fleeting beauties of spring with the DNR weekly bloom report

3/26/2024 11:33:00 AM
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Wildflowers are enticing treasures for wilderness lovers each year. One of the most encouraging signs of spring, the first wildflowers seem to bloom overnight.

Come Join the Frog and Toad Call Survey!

3/22/2024 6:02:00 PM
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Calling all wildlife watchers! The Iowa DNR will be hosting two more frog and toad call survey training workshops in 2024.

Air quality permits under review, published 3/21/2024

3/22/2024 5:10:00 PM
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DES MOINES – The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review.

Iowa companies partner with DNR P2 intern program to enhance environmental performance

3/22/2024 5:07:00 PM
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DES MOINES – Ten Iowa businesses have teamed with DNR’s Pollution Prevention (P2) Intern Program this summer to increase the efficiency of their operations and reduce associated costs.

Lake Meyer has a bright future thanks to local watershed improvement efforts

3/22/2024 5:03:00 PM
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CALMAR – Lake Meyer, a popular area for boating and fishing in Winneshiek County, has a cleaner and clearer future thanks to a community-led effort.

Pigment solution spill in Polk County reaches Little Four Mile Creek

3/22/2024 4:12:00 PM
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DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a red pigment solution spill at the City of Altoona in Polk County.

Looking for a summer job in natural resources?

3/22/2024 10:51:00 AM
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The DNR is hiring seasonal park aides to work in Iowa state parks and forests this summer.

Spend your summer in a state park as a campground host!

3/22/2024 10:46:00 AM
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Several Iowa state parks are still looking for campground hosts for the 2024 season.

Trout stockings in Davenport, Mount Pleasant and Fort Madison rescheduled for March 20

3/19/2024 3:13:00 PM
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will stock trout in Lake of the Hills in Davenport, East Lake Park Pond in Mount Pleasant and Wilson Lake in Fort Madison on March 20, instead of March 22, due to possible snow and ice conditions in Manchester, on Friday.

Public invited to meeting discussing campground renovations at Brushy Creek

3/19/2024 3:10:00 PM
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LEHIGH, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host an open house on April 9, to discuss upcoming campground improvements at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area, near Lehigh.

Opportunity to help track frog and toad populations in Iowa

3/19/2024 2:27:00 PM
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It’s 10 o’clock 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.

DNR Releases Latest Draft of Impaired Waters List

3/19/2024 10:50:00 AM
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DES MOINES -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on the newly released draft impaired waters list (303(d) list).

Did your Title V Responsible Official change?

3/19/2024 10:42:00 AM
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Did your facility recently change your Title V Responsible Official? Is your Title V Responsible Official going to be unavailable to sign your facility certifications by the due date?

UPDATE: Investigation into Montgomery County fertilizer spill continues

3/14/2024 10:06:00 AM
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RED OAK – DNR staff continue to investigate the New Cooperative fertilizer spill near Red Oak in Montgomery County. The release has been stopped and clean-up efforts are still underway.

Natural Resource Commission to meet March 14

3/12/2024 2:42:00 PM
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Des Moines – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will meet at 9:30 a.m., March 14.

Iowa DNR to begin annual spring burning

3/12/2024 2:40:00 PM
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be conducting prescribed burns this spring on wildlife areas managed by the Iowa DNR’s Black Hawk Wildlife Unit and Waterfowl Production Areas managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Sac, Calhoun, Crawford, Buena Vista and Pocahontas counties.Areas scheduled for burns are Black Hawk Marsh Complex, Burrows Pond Complex, Tomahawk Marsh, Whitehorse Complex and Kiowa Marsh Complex in Sac County; South Twin Lake and Towhead Lake in Calhoun County; Schrad...

Hamburg-Mitchell Missouri River boat ramp to close June 30

3/12/2024 2:37:00 PM
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A popular boat ramp on the Missouri River, leased for public access by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), will close on June 30.

Help Iowa DNR expand walleye collection data

3/12/2024 11:46:00 AM
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is partnering for a third year with MyCatch by Angler’s Atlas to conduct a statewide walleye fishing challenge from March 30 through June 30.

DNR to host public meeting on Fort Atkinson Preserve historic fort

3/12/2024 11:43:00 AM
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FORT ATKINSON-- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host an open house on March 22, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Fort Atkinson State Preserve, 303 2nd Street, Fort Atkinson, to discuss upcoming repairs to several of the historic structures at the preserve. The open house will begin with a short presentation, with DNR staff on hand to answer questions. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the Fort Atkinson Community Center at 303 3rd Street NW, Fort Atkinson.

McIntosh Woods State Park to install new docks

3/12/2024 11:41:00 AM
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VENTURA – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be installing four new docks at McIntosh Woods State Park this spring, providing boaters improved access for the upcoming recreation season. Installation is expected to be completed by the end of April.

Gull Point State Park lodge and shelter to open for 2024

3/12/2024 11:39:00 AM
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OKOBOJI – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is opening the Gull Point State Park lodge and shelter for reservations, starting March 20. The facilities were initially closed for the 2024 season due to a planned renovation project, including upgrades to roads and campsite infrastructure. That project is on hold due to construction delays.

Trout stocking in northeast Iowa streams starts April 1

3/12/2024 11:37:00 AM
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The popular trout stream stocking season starts on April 1. Find a list of stocked trout streams on the DNR trout stream map or the DNR trout fishing webpage.

Fertilizer spill in Montgomery County reaches East Nishnabotna River

3/12/2024 10:44:00 AM
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RED OAK, Iowa – On March 11, New Cooperative in Red Oak notified the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) of a release on-site early Monday morning.

Diesel spill reaches Middle Nodaway River

3/8/2024 11:14:00 AM
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DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a diesel spill on the Middle Nodaway River in Adair County.

Air quality permits under review, published 3/7/2024

3/7/2024 2:29:00 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 the air where we live.

Environmental Protection Commission meeting agenda

3/7/2024 2:28:00 PM
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DES MOINES -- The Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will have their monthly business meeting Mar.19. The meeting is virtual only.

Water Summary Update: Extremely dry February extends record drought conditions streak

3/7/2024 2:25:00 PM
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DES MOINES -- February set multiple records for warm, dry conditions and minimal precipitation, according to the latest Water Summary Update.

2024 National Archery in the Schools Program state tournament results and awards

3/7/2024 9:59:00 AM
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An estimated 2,300 students from more than 140 schools from across Iowa competed in in the 18th National Archery in the Schools Program State Tournament at the Iowa State Fairgrounds over the weekend.

Shoreline stabilization project underway at Silver Lake to improve water quality

3/5/2024 12:09:00 PM
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LAKE PARK, Iowa - Work is underway to stabilize the shoreline on the northwest section of Silver Lake, in Dickinson County.

Ice-out channel catfish are biting

3/5/2024 12:07:00 PM
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Channel catfish move close to shore and are eager to bite in many lakes and large reservoirs across Iowa just after the ice is gone.

Spring community trout stocking starts March 21

3/5/2024 12:04:00 PM
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources fisheries staff will release between 1,000 to 2,000 rainbow trout in nine lakes across Iowa in March and April as part of its cool weather trout program.

USDA announces Conservation Reserve Program general signup for 2024

3/5/2024 12:02:00 PM
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DES MOINES, Iowa – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can begin signing up for the general Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) starting March 4 and running through March 29, 2024.

Air quality permits under review, published 2/29/2024

2/29/2024 3:10:00 PM
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DES MOINES – The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review.

DNR enforcement actions, published 2/29/2024

2/29/2024 3:06:00 PM
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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.

DNR to host public meeting on Big Creek State Park shelter improvements

2/27/2024 3:44:00 PM
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POLK CITY - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host an open house on March 7 to discuss plans for replacing shelters throughout the park.

Land donors honored during reception in Des Moines

2/27/2024 3:42:00 PM
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DES MOINES, Iowa – More than 950 acres of Iowa land in 14 counties with an estimated value of more than $3.9 million was permanently protected through donations for conservation.

Time to stop pruning oak trees earlier this season with unseasonably warm temperatures

2/27/2024 3:40:00 PM
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is recommending to finish pruning oak trees immediately to prevent the spread of oak wilt.

Untreated groundwater discharge reaches Boyer River

2/26/2024 4:20:00 PM
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DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources was notified of an untreated water discharge into the Boyer River in Crawford County.

Gray wolf found dead on the northwest edge of Davenport

2/23/2024 3:50:00 PM
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A large canine found lying in the median of I-80 in Scott County Monday morning has been identified as a young adult male gray wolf.

Iowa DNR to begin annual spring burning

2/23/2024 9:05:00 AM
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be conducting prescribed burns this spring on wildlife management areas managed by the Iowa DNR’s Prairie Lakes Wildlife Unit in Clay, Palo Alto, Emmet and Kossuth counties.

DNR enforcement actions, published 2/22/2024

2/23/2024 9:03:00 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

Air quality permits under review, published 2/22/2024

2/23/2024 9:00:00 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 the air where we live.

Iowa’s largest sycamore tree severely damaged by suspicious fire at Geode State Park

2/23/2024 8:53:00 AM
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DANVILLE, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is asking the public for any information as to the cause of a suspicious fire at Geode State Park on Sunday, Feb. 18.

Discounted trees available at distribution events this spring

2/20/2024 12:28:00 PM
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources, through a partnership with Alliant Energy, is offering a mixture of hardwoods, low-growing ornamental and evergreen tree species for $25 each.