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DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: DIYReturn

Create your own backyard habitat oasis for Iowa’s songbirds

• 2/28/2019 2:51:00 PM
• View Count 13647

We all know it’s been a long, hard winter - but we can make any season a bit more manageable for Iowa’s songbirds with a few simple projects in the yard or on your acreage.

Build a Leopold bench

• 3/10/2017 2:24:00 PM
• View Count 187155

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.

Give Old Stuff New Life with These Upcycling Projects

• 7/13/2016 2:01:00 PM
• View Count 18981

Turn a tired old DVD case into a travel-friendly art kit, transform a vinyl banner into a useful tote bag or upgrade a scratched CD into the blingiest turtle on the block.

12 Upcycling Ideas for the Savvy Outdoor Enthusiast

• 3/2/2016 5:00:00 AM
• View Count 18172

Camping and relaxing outside should be great ways to spend your day and not your money. Still, accessories and new fandangled gear can get pricey pretty quick, so try these alternative upcycling options to get back to the fun instead of the store!

8 Festive Birdfeeders to Make This Winter

• 1/19/2016 9:58:00 AM
• View Count 12980

While you may deal with this cold season by filling up on holiday treats and game day goodies, winter can be a lean time for Iowa wildlife. To help your feathered friends find a meal, take a few minutes to create one of these festive feeders for your yard, or make a fancy batch as a gift.

Make Your Own DIY Pheasant, Turkey Feather Art

• 11/6/2015 10:17:00 AM
• View Count 16656

Make the most of your hunt by reusing pheasant and turkey feathers in ornaments, wreaths and more.

Create a Cleaner, Safer House with DIY Cleaners

• 7/17/2015 5:59:00 AM
• View Count 13097

Sure, that spray cleaner can cut through grease and grime quickly. But did you know it might be a household hazardous material? Household hazardous materials (HHMs) are found in nearly every home, under sinks, and in closets, basements and garages. They may make chores easier, but they could also pose a threat to your family’s health, safety and the environment if used or disposed improperly.

Tutorial: Learn How to Compost at Home

• 5/13/2015 5:54:00 AM
• View Count 20203

Yard waste is the second major waste generated in cities and towns – and since it’s illegal to place yard waste in the trash in Iowa, it needs to be composted. While you can send off yard waste for municipal composting, it’s also easy to do in your own backyard, saving you money and helping your yard and garden. Use this tutorial from DNR staffer Karen Grimes to start your own compost heap at home.

How to Create Natural Dyes for Easter Eggs and Other DIY Projects [Tutorial]

• 4/3/2015 6:39:00 AM
• View Count 10104

Create super intense Easter eggs that outshine those made with store-bought dyes with these foraged, natural dyes. Get outside with a friend or loved one to gather plants and brew a tempest of color. The dyes are easily frozen for later use.

Build a Bluebird House [Tutorial]

• 3/13/2015 5:49:00 AM
• View Count 18889

Bluebirds should be arriving soon in Iowa, so now's a great time to clean out those bluebird boxes, or if you don't have one yet, to build your own!

Tutorial: Tie Your Own Soft Hackle Fly

• 2/12/2015 9:53:00 AM
• View Count 13662

There are few better feelings for an angler than hooking a fish with a homemade lure. The soft hackle fly is one of the oldest and most varied patterns; tie your own orange and pheasant breast fly in minutes with these simple steps.

Make Your Own Winter Survival Kit

• 1/9/2015 9:58:00 AM
• View Count 8523

Winter outdoor lovers should take extra travel precautions as rural and natural areas can put you alone against the elements during emergencies. A skid into a ditch, mechanical problems, black ice, drifting snow or sudden storms can lead to unplanned, dangerous situations in areas where passersby are rare.

Make These Upcycled DIY Shotgun Shell Wreaths for Your Favorite Hunter This Holiday Season

• 12/5/2014 7:15:00 AM
• View Count 14727

Spend time together crafting these simple, yet elegant projects in an afternoon. Each has a refined look, yet are surprisingly simple—perfect for beginner to expert crafters. Use these idea starters, then add your own style.

How to Build Your Own Rain Barrel, Step-by-Step

• 9/2/2014 8:14:00 AM
• View Count 94755

If you’re looking for a simple, cost-effective way to water your plants and garden without connecting the hose to the tap, a rain barrel can help you collect and recycle rainwater.

12 Iowa Camping Hacks and Tricks

• 8/25/2014 7:30:00 AM
• View Count 27631

If you’re just getting started or are looking for some new ideas, try some of these camping tips and tricks.

Reuse and upcycle your old stuff with these simple projects

• 8/7/2014 9:01:00 AM
• View Count 13783

Not going to watch those old 1980s VHS tapes? Have some unworn t-shirts lying around? Put them to good (and stylish) use with these simple projects from the DNR's Reusapalooza at the Iowa State Fair.