4th of July weekend campsite reservations open soon 3/21/2017 11:55:00 AM View Count 3324 Campers anxious to reserve spots for the Fourth of July weekend should mark March 31 on their calendars, when reservations for a Friday arrival open.
Two bald eagles found shot in Webster County 3/21/2017 11:49:00 AM View Count 32388 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is looking for the person or persons responsible for shooting two bald eagles in Webster County.
Delayed - Revisions to Guideline on Air Quality Models (Appendix W) 3/17/2017 8:20:00 AM View Count 3583 On March 15, 2017 the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that they extended the temporary delay of the effective date for the revisions to Appendix W. The final rule, published in the Federal Register on January 17, 2017, has a new effective date of May 22, 2017. The additional delay is intended to provide incoming EPA officials time to review the rule.
Northeast Iowa goes wild for trout 3/16/2017 3:27:00 PM View Count 24946 Things are getting even wilder in northeast Iowa. Watershed projects on northeast Iowa’s famed trout streams over the last two decades have improved water quality, and in turn, wild trout populations, fishing and tourism. By changing the way water comes into trout streams, watershed projects have kept excess sediment, nutrients and bacteria out of the water.
Iowa DNR Introduces New Public Information Officer 3/15/2017 3:24:00 PM View Count 5412 DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has hired Alex Murphy as its Public Information Officer.
Some ethanol leaked during Monday cleanup of train derailment 3/14/2017 3:13:00 PM View Count 3562 GRAETTINGER – Less than 2,000 gallons of ethanol leaked into Jack Creek as the last three derailed tanker cars were pulled from the creek March 13 south of Graettinger.
12 Iowa deer test positive for chronic wasting disease from 2016-17 hunting seasons 3/14/2017 11:44:00 AM View Count 7603 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has closed the book on its 2016 chronic wasting disease monitoring effort that collected 4,879 tissue samples from wild deer with 12 samples testing positive for the disease. Test results are pending on deer from a handful of counties and on 86 deer tissue samples from the Clayton County special deer collection effort that ended on March 5.
Jefferson man pleads guilty to poaching trophy buck 3/14/2017 11:42:00 AM View Count 35071 Brett Cranston, 41, of Jefferson, pleaded guilty on March 9 to three charges related to illegally taking a deer during the first shotgun deer season in Greene County.
Iowa spring turkey season is right around the corner 3/14/2017 11:41:00 AM View Count 9924 Hunters will be going through their equipment, patterning their guns and securing vacation days to pursue the elusive Eastern wild turkey as Iowa’s premier spring hunting season is almost here.
Land donors honored during reception in Des Moines 3/14/2017 11:39:00 AM View Count 2874 DES MOINES – Nearly 6,800 acres of Iowa land in 36 counties with an estimated value of more than $10.2 million was permanently protected through donations for conservation.
Ice-out channel catfish are biting 3/14/2017 11:38:00 AM View Count 27489 Channel catfish are close to shore and eager to bite in many lakes and the large reservoirs across Iowa. After eating light during the winter, channel catfish go on a feeding frenzy in early spring eating gizzard shad and other small fish that died over the winter.
Northeast Iowa trout stream stocking begins April 3 3/14/2017 11:37:00 AM View Count 17294 The popular annual stream trout stocking season starts April 3. Find out when your favorite trout stream will be stocked with the stocking calendar available on the DNR website.
Boater education is goal of national effort March 19-25 3/14/2017 11:36:00 AM View Count 3835 A national campaign is encouraging boaters to enroll in a boater education course before the kickoff to the boating season. Many boater education courses are offering discounts or other incentives during the week of March 19-25, to students who enroll or complete a boating safety education course.
Updated SLEIS Training Videos Now Available Online 3/14/2017 10:55:00 AM View Count 3964 Due to high demand for State & Local Emission Inventory System (SLEIS) training, the DNR has developed several training videos that are available on the Air Quality Bureau’s eAirServices webpage.
Title V Facilities' Emissions Reports due March 31, 2017 3/13/2017 11:18:00 AM View Count 3406 Facilities subject to Title V of the federal Clean Air Act must submit their emissions inventories for 2016 to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Air Quality Bureau by March 31, 2017.
Unplug at Pictured Rocks Park 3/10/2017 2:58:00 PM View Count 17028 The first oar through the cool clear water sends ripples of excitement down my spine. I’ve never canoed the Maquoketa River from Monticello to Pictured Rocks Park/Indian Bluffs, but trust the stream will get me there safely.
Build a Leopold bench 3/10/2017 2:24:00 PM View Count 188419 This model holds a functional usefulness not readily apparent. By sitting backwards with legs through the opening, the backrest now provides a sturdy support for the elbows while using binoculars or cameras to observe nature around you.
Five reasons to rent an Iowa State Parks cabin in the off-season 3/10/2017 1:13:00 PM View Count 23324 Have you ever considered staying in a cabin in Iowa state parks? We offer more than 90 cabins in 19 parks across the state. Here are five reasons why you might want to book now and stay in a cabin before Memorial Day:
Small manure spill quickly contained in Sioux County 3/9/2017 5:08:00 PM View Count 3138 NEWKIRK—The DNR Spencer field office responded Thursday to a small manure spill about 0.5 miles south of Newkirk in Sioux County.
State environmental commission to focus on sustainability and solid waste at March 21 Ames meeting 3/9/2017 1:25:00 PM View Count 3191 AMES—The Environmental Protection Commission will hear from Iowa State University’s sustainability office, and then tour the Ames waste collection facility following the March 21 business meeting.
Applications due March 22 for Household Hazardous Materials Education and Awareness grants 3/9/2017 1:24:00 PM View Count 3112 DES MOINES — Iowans seeking to raise awareness about household hazardous materials can receive up to $5,000 to help educate others on these items’ proper disposal and use.
1,500 archers compete at state tournament 3/9/2017 9:34:00 AM View Count 4081 Nearly 1,500 archers from 84 Iowa schools participated in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) state tournament March 3-4 in Des Moines.
Knock out your Asbestos Notification in No Time 3/9/2017 8:25:00 AM View Count 5834 The new online asbestos database makes notifying DNR and paying fees for Asbestos Abatement and Demolition easy.
Spring urban trout stocking schedule 3/7/2017 12:16:00 PM View Count 13091 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fisheries staff will release between 1,000 to 2,000 rainbow trout in 10 lakes across Iowa in March and April as part of its cool weather trout program.
State Forest Nursery packet promotes butterfly and bird habitat 3/7/2017 12:13:00 PM View Count 5946 DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) State Forest Nursery is promoting butterfly and songbird habitat with its March Butterfly and Bird seedling packet.
Six Iowa state parks to host University of Iowa wildlife camps 3/7/2017 12:11:00 PM View Count 9082 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.
State park campgrounds in need of hosts 3/7/2017 12:09:00 PM View Count 4907 The opportunity to spend the summer in an Iowa state park is available for individuals who serve as campground hosts.
Relaxed fishing regulations extended at Central Park Lake 3/7/2017 12:08:00 PM View Count 3420 CENTER JUNCTION - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has extended the relaxed fishing regulations at Central Park Lake in Jones County until July 1.
Officers seeking information to find person responsible for shooting Winneshiek County bald eagle 3/7/2017 8:24:00 AM View Count 8193 Law enforcement officials in Winneshiek County are looking for the party responsible for killing a bald eagle.
Natural Resource Commission to meet March 9 in Des Moines 3/6/2017 8:47:00 AM View Count 3503 Des Moines – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will meet at 9:30 a.m., March 9, in the fourth floor conference room, Wallace State Office Building, 502 East Ninth Street, in Des Moines.
Derelict Building Grant applications due April 21 3/2/2017 11:43:00 AM View Count 4751 Small rural communities looking for assistance to help renovate or deconstruct abandoned commercial and public structures can apply for funding through the Derelict Building Grant Program.
Why don’t birds’ feet get cold in the winter? 3/2/2017 8:46:00 AM View Count 17565 Mikayla, 10, in Marshall County, asks: Why don’t birds’ feet get cold in the winter?
Iowa’s 2017 Air Monitoring Network Plan Available for Public Review and Comment 3/1/2017 4:21:00 PM View Count 7535 The air monitoring network plan will assist the Iowa DNR in its efforts to monitor the quality of Iowa’s air and to keep the public aware of air quality problems. The plan is required by EPA’s national ambient air monitoring regulations. It contains detailed information about the location and purpose of any monitor in Iowa’s air monitoring network that produces data for comparison with national ambient air quality standards.
Go south for spring break - in Iowa 3/1/2017 2:14:00 PM View Count 14047 In Keokuk—Iowa’s southernmost city—it’s always numerous degrees warmer, so cozy up with eagles, ducks and pelicans and a fancy bed in Lee County.
Group mapping out way to save the monarch butterfly 2/28/2017 12:52:00 PM View Count 10848 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.
2016 Iowa deer harvest tops 100,000 2/28/2017 12:49:00 PM View Count 10063 Deer hunters reported harvesting 101,397 deer during the 2016 Iowa deer hunting season, which is about 3,000 fewer than were reported in 2015, but nearly identical to the 2014 harvest.
Space available in upcoming hunter education classes 2/28/2017 12:46:00 PM View Count 7036 Hunter Education Classroom courses are offered by knowledgeable and certified volunteer instructors and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers. Classroom courses are typically 12-15 hours in length and are held over 2 to 3 sessions (days). In order to receive certification, a student must attend all sessions and pass the final exam.
Summer seasonal positions available in Iowa state parks and Des Moines office 2/28/2017 12:44:00 PM View Count 8184 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) State Parks Bureau is looking for job applicants for summer recreational aide openings in several parks around the state.
Cool things you should know about Cooper's hawks 2/24/2017 4:14:00 PM View Count 21866 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.
Officials still searching for party responsible for dead eagle 2/24/2017 10:06:00 AM View Count 10357 The search continues for the party responsible for the death of a bald eagle discovered Jan. 25, in Yellow Banks County Park, on the southeast side of Des Moines.
Small diesel fuel spill stopped in Scott County 2/24/2017 9:14:00 AM View Count 3345 WALCOTT - A sheen on Mud Creek in western Scott County about 10 miles northwest of Walcott led to the discovery of a leaking pipe from an above-ground diesel fuel tank Thursday morning..
Wastewater discharge ended in West Des Moines 2/23/2017 11:49:00 AM View Count 3743 WEST DES MOINES –The city of West Des Moines discovered untreated wastewater bubbling up from a manhole on the south side of the road in the 5400 block of University Avenue about 10:45 a.m. Wednesday.
Marcel named as chief of DNR’s field services 2/23/2017 11:48:00 AM View Count 6722 DES MOINES– The Iowa DNR has chosen Jason Marcel to lead the agency’s Field Services and Compliance Bureau, which includes many frontline DNR staffers who explain scientific, legal and regulatory details that protect Iowa’s air, land and waters.
Go wild - posters help support Iowa wildlife 2/23/2017 11:15:00 AM View Count 13729 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.
Concrete Training Sessions for Spencer Rescheduled for March 8 2/23/2017 9:05:00 AM View Count 3279 Due to an expected winter storm, two concrete training sessions scheduled for Feb. 24 in Spencer have been postponed.