DNR News Releases

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DNR News Releases

Muskrat trapping season extended to April 1 on Ventura Marsh

• 1/24/2017 3:45:00 PM
• View Count 4282

VENTURA - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is extending the muskrat trapping season on Ventura Marsh from Feb. 1 to April 1 to reduce the muskrat population and preserve the beneficial vegetation in the marsh.  This extension is only for muskrats and only for Ventura Marsh.

Trout survey prize winners announced

• 1/24/2017 12:22:00 PM
• View Count 4038

BOONE - The recently completed 2016 Iowa Trout Angler Survey received more than 3,500 responses of which 11 names were drawn for prizes.

Garner to oversee DNR’s conservation and recreation division

• 1/24/2017 12:20:00 PM
• View Count 9332

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 citizens playing key role in tracking imperiled wildlife

• 1/24/2017 12:19:00 PM
• View Count 5966

It’s 10:00 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.  A volunteer stands clipboard in hand, ear cocked, mentally sorting out each of the calling species using this seemingly ordinary pond. 

Trout stocking at Lake Petocka postponed

• 1/24/2017 12:18:00 PM
• View Count 4151

Bondurant – The trout stocking and family fishing event scheduled for this Saturday, Jan. 28 at Lake Petocka has been postponed due to unsafe ice conditions.

Chickadee tax check-off hopes for a needed increase in donations on 2016 tax forms

• 1/24/2017 12:17:00 PM
• View Count 6273

Last year, roughly 7,500 out of 1.6 million Iowa taxpayers helped boost wildlife conservation with donations to the Fish and Wildlife Fund on their state tax form.  Despite a steady increase in the total number of returns since 2009, this amount has stayed roughly the same since 2010, with only small fluctuations.

Iowa DNR releases new five-year strategy for ambient water monitoring

• 1/19/2017 4:00:00 PM
• View Count 3515

DES MOINES – A new five-year strategy aiming to improve the Iowa DNR’s Ambient Water Monitoring Program is now available on the web. 

Trout stocking at Big Lake postponed

• 1/19/2017 3:06:00 PM
• View Count 3940

Council Bluffs – The trout stocking scheduled for tomorrow, Jan. 20 at Big Lake has been postponed until spring due to rapidly deteriorating ice conditions. 

Space available in upcoming hunter education classes

• 1/17/2017 1:10:00 PM
• View Count 4049

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.

2016 license sales recap

• 1/17/2017 1:06:00 PM
• View Count 7324

Final numbers for 2016 license sales.

Central Iowa trumpeter swan soiree

• 1/17/2017 1:02:00 PM
• View Count 8155

The public is invited to a Trumpeter Swan Soiree, celebrating North America’s largest waterfowl species at the Blank Park Zoo Friday, Jan. 27 from 6-8 p.m., and at Walnut Woods State Park on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 10:30 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Come along ice fishing with DNR via Facebook Live

• 1/17/2017 1:00:00 PM
• View Count 4371

VAN METER - Iowa DNR staff will be offering ice fishing tips and techniques, along with ice safety information, live from the ice of Badger Creek Lake on Wednesday afternoon.

Three men plead guilty in 2015 deer poaching case

• 1/17/2017 12:45:00 PM
• View Count 24360

Two Minnesota men and one North Iowa man have pleaded guilty to illegally taking deer in Emmet and Kossuth counties in Iowa in October and November 2015.  

Manure applicator training open for on-site applicators

• 1/12/2017 2:41:00 PM
• View Count 3758

DES MOINES –Training began last week for confinement site manure applicators who want to complete annual training or become certified to land apply manure. 

Water Summary Update - 2016 in review

• 1/12/2017 2:39:00 PM
• View Count 3895

DES MOINES - Iowa started 2016 with dry conditions but extensive rains in August and September ranked this as the 19th wettest year on record.  

For the New Year—Make the SLEIS Resolution

• 1/12/2017 9:36:00 AM
• View Count 6119

The State & Local Emissions Inventory System (SLEIS) can simplify and ensure your 2016 air emissions inventory report is complete and accurate.

Warm up winter on skinny skis

• 1/11/2017 2:03:00 PM
• View Count 9913

Slow Shuffle to A Racer’s Skate—Cross Country Skiing is for all

Opportunity to Submit Air Quality Client Contact Meeting Agenda Items

• 1/11/2017 10:04:00 AM
• View Count 3471

The Air Quality Bureau is accepting agenda topics for the next Air Quality Client Contact Meeting.  The next meeting is scheduled for February 23 at 1:00 p.m., at the DNR’s Air Quality Bureau Office.  A conference call option is also available for the meeting.

Be bold and try winter camping

• 1/11/2017 8:47:00 AM
• View Count 17456

Let’s face it—winter camping has some initial challenges, but the rewards are silence, serenity and having big places to yourself. Create active daytimes with hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, then be prepared for winter’s long nights with good lighting gear to illuminate camp. Breaking into winter camping isn’t hard, but you’ll rely on good gear and solid skills. Here’s a  few basics.

Deadline to buy paddlefish license is Jan. 31

• 1/10/2017 12:00:00 PM
• View Count 4351

Iowa anglers have until January 31 to buy their 2017 paddlefish license for the Missouri and Big Sioux rivers. The special paddlefish season runs from March 1 to April 15.

Hunters turning attention to the wily coyote

• 1/10/2017 11:58:00 AM
• View Count 42047

An expected 15,000 Iowa hunters will turn their attention to pursuing the state’s top predator after January 10. That’s when most of Iowa’s hunting seasons close, and coyote hunting begins in earnest.

How do plants come back each year if they die in the winter?

• 1/10/2017 10:23:00 AM
• View Count 25319

As the wind grows cooler, leaves drop and snow begins to fall, it’s easy to look at a shriveled, brown plant in the yard and think it’s dead. But that’s just what’s above the surface. Below ground, the plant is still alive, just settled in for a long winter’s nap.

Boil advisory recommended for Lehigh in Webster County

• 1/9/2017 1:03:00 PM
• View Count 3854

LEHIGH - The city of Lehigh in Webster County issued a boil advisory Monday morning after water pumps at the city’s water treatment plant malfunctioned, failing to refill the water tower.  

EPC to hold joint meeting with NRC in January

• 1/5/2017 3:30:00 PM
• View Count 4120

DES MOINES – The Environmental Protection Commission will meet jointly with the Natural Resources Commission Jan. 18 in Des Moines before holding a separate business meeting. 

Lake City discharging wastewater to creek

• 1/5/2017 2:33:00 PM
• View Count 3556

LAKE CITY — A frozen pump has led to a wastewater discharge in Lake City.

Kick up your game with pheasant phried rice

• 1/5/2017 9:48:00 AM
• View Count 24333

If you're looking for a way to shake up the old stew routine with pheasant, adding wild game to a classic stir fry is a great way to start!

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 19542

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.

Update: Man dies following fall at state park

• 1/3/2017 4:34:00 PM
• View Count 4175

DES MOINES – Danny Dean Carlile, 63, of Ames died Sunday, Jan. 1 after a fall at Ledges State Park, south of Boone.

Update to Meteorological Data Used for Dispersion Modeling

• 1/3/2017 3:09:00 PM
• View Count 3753

On December 20, 2016, the EPA finalized updates to the Guideline on Air Quality Models (Appendix W) as well as updated versions (v16216) of AERMOD, AERSCREEN and AERMET.

Hunting seasons starting to close

• 1/3/2017 12:18:00 PM
• View Count 4921

Iowa’s pheasant, late muzzleloader and archery deer, and archery fall turkey seasons close on Jan. 10.  Furbearer seasons, squirrel, quail, partridge and grouse remain open until Jan. 31.

2016 hunting, fishing licenses expire Jan. 10

• 1/3/2017 12:16:00 PM
• View Count 4502

2016 hunting and fishing licenses expire on Jan. 10, 2017. All hunters and anglers will need a 2017 license to hunt or fish beginning Jan. 11.

Small wastewater discharge ended in Lehigh

• 12/29/2016 5:45:00 PM
• View Count 3699

LEHIGH – Responding to a complaint received by DNR, city officials in Lehigh found a valve on the wastewater lagoon was open on Dec. 28.

Meetings for Fee Advisory Groups Moved to February 8, 2017

• 12/29/2016 8:28:00 AM
• View Count 3655

The Air Quality Bureau is moving the meetings for the Fee Advisory Groups from January 11 to February 8 to allow for more time to gather information on the draft budget.  Please join us on February 8 to review and provide comment on the draft Air Quality Bureau budget for the next state fiscal year. 

Evergreen Heart: A New Year’s Journey into Iowa’s Northwoods

• 12/28/2016 4:44:00 PM
• View Count 15531

It’s 8 a.m., New Year’s Day and I’m already thirsty for adventure; some type of colorful excursion to overcome the gray doldrums a long Iowa winter brings

Hunting tips for a more successful late muzzleloader season

• 12/28/2016 3:48:00 PM
• View Count 11626

The late muzzleloader season is in full swing. Here are a few tips to make your season more successful:

Join the DNR Thursday live on Facebook

• 12/27/2016 1:17:00 PM
• View Count 3697

WEST DES MOINES - Join the Iowa DNR on Facebook Thursday for a live video preview of the upcoming First Day Hikes in Iowa State Parks.

Members sought for Brushy Creek board

• 12/27/2016 1:15:00 PM
• View Count 5022

Hikers, bikers and horseback riders interested in protecting, preserving and enhancing the trail system at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area are being encouraged to serve on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' Brushy Creek Trail Advisory Board.

2017 bald eagle watching events

• 12/27/2016 1:14:00 PM
• View Count 17395

2017 bald eagle watching events have been announced.

Winter urban trout stocking begins Jan. 14

• 12/27/2016 1:13:00 PM
• View Count 13480

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will release trout in seven locations this winter in areas that would not support them during warmer months.

Spend a winter day ice fishing

• 12/27/2016 1:12:00 PM
• View Count 7661

Get a group of friends and/or family together, bundle up and try ice fishing this winter. Ice fishing is a fun, social winter activity best enjoyed as a group.

Report highlights progress and long-term challenges of Iowa stream nutrient monitoring

• 12/22/2016 1:59:00 PM
• View Count 4781

DES MOINES -- A 2016 report of Iowa’s water monitoring efforts for nutrients highlights both the complexity and long-term value of evaluating nutrient levels in Iowa’s lakes, streams and rivers. 

AFO rule revisions final

• 12/22/2016 1:46:00 PM
• View Count 3453

The Environmental Protection Commission passed an update to the Animal Feeding Operation rules at the Oct. 18 commission meeting.

New eMMP webpage

• 12/22/2016 1:44:00 PM
• View Count 3802

Check out the new AFO webpage for ongoing progress reports on an effort to make online submittal of manure management plans (eMMPs) possible.

Are you ready for winter?

• 12/22/2016 1:43:00 PM
• View Count 3894

Restrictions on Manure Application on Frozen Ground started Dec. 21.

Check out MAC training

• 12/22/2016 1:42:00 PM
• View Count 3509

Commercial manure applicators can fulfill their annual training and certification requirements at 75 Iowa and two out-of-state locations from 9 a.m. to noon on Jan. 5.

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