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DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: SAFEReturn

Stay safe on the ice this winter

• 12/10/2024 12:26:00 PM
• View Count 1891

The recent blast of arctic air is growing ice on lakes and ponds across the northern two-thirds of Iowa. Outdoor ice enthusiasts are ready to get out ice fishing, snowmobiling, ice skating or fat-tire bike riding.

Safety first, during the gun deer seasons

• 11/20/2024 1:41:00 PM
• View Count 3741

For an expected 100,000-plus deer hunters, the long wait is almost over, Iowa’s gun deer seasons are right around the corner.

Safety tips for paddling in cold weather

• 11/19/2024 12:24:00 PM
• View Count 3908

Winter paddling can provide solitude, exercise and an opportunity to see amazing winter beauty. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recommends that paddlers be prepared to paddle in cold weather.

Stay safe this harvest season

• 10/8/2024 11:54:00 AM
• View Count 4764

AMES - As fall harvest starts across Iowa, the risk of wildfires in crop fields increases. Iowa is seeing dry conditions for this fall with relative humidity dropping down to dangerous levels for wildfires and ignition sources in the fields. Higher afternoon temperatures are also expected with the National Weather Service issuing both Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches across Iowa.

Busy Labor Day weekend expected on Iowa waters and at state parks

• 8/27/2024 11:50:00 AM
• View Count 5077

DES MOINES – The unofficial end to summer this weekend is expected to draw thousands of Iowans to their state parks and waterways.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Iowa Cubs team up for First Responders Night

• 7/2/2024 12:36:00 PM
• View Count 2953

Des Moines — Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Iowa staff teamed up with the Iowa Cubs on June 27, to recognize MADD Hero Award Winners who went above and beyond to save lives through enforcement and education of impaired driving laws in 2023.

Enjoy fireworks, but protect sensitive people

• 6/27/2024 11:31:00 AM
• View Count 2756

As much as we love fireworks, drifting smoke can cause breathing problems for some.

Flooding continues across Iowa: safety and cleanup reminders to help with recovery

• 6/27/2024 11:28:00 AM
• View Count 6001

While some parts of Iowa continue to experience high and rising flood waters, other communities are in recovery and clean-up mode.

DNR shares tips for a safe Fourth of July holiday weekend

• 6/25/2024 11:33:00 AM
• View Count 3096

DES MOINES, Iowa – As the Fourth of July holiday weekend quickly approaches the forecast predicts very warm weather which will draw thousands of people to state parks, beaches, lakes and rivers.

Expect heavy boat traffic on Iowa waters for Memorial Day Weekend

• 5/21/2024 3:28:00 PM
• View Count 2360

The Memorial Day weekend marking the unofficial beginning to Iowa’s boating season is days away and boaters across the state are busy preparing their watercraft for the holiday.

Review safe hunting practices ahead of spring turkey season

• 3/26/2024 11:38:00 AM
• View Count 2736

Roughly 35,000 camo-covered hunters in stealth mode will be heading to the timber in the next few weeks for Iowa’s spring turkey season. And, just as important as contacting the landowner, checking the shell supply and finding the decoys, part of every hunt prep is to review safe hunting practices.

Eager paddlers encouraged to wait for warmer water

• 2/20/2024 12:26:00 PM
• View Count 3584

The weather is starting to feel like spring, but water temperatures are still dangerously cold.

Stay safe on the ice this winter

• 1/16/2024 3:10:00 PM
• View Count 3873

With cold weather finally arriving in Iowa and freezing over lakes and ponds, ice fishing activity has begun at certain northern lakes.

Stay safe as Iowa lakes freeze over

• 12/12/2023 11:59:00 AM
• View Count 4405

The recent blast of arctic air is growing ice on lakes and ponds across the northern two-thirds of Iowa. Anglers are ready to get out for the popular early ice fishing season.

Hunters encouraged to discuss hunting plan, safety after weekend hunting incidents

• 12/12/2023 11:57:00 AM
• View Count 4218

The opening weekend of Iowa’s second gun deer season saw another 50,000-plus hunters’ enjoying time in the timber in pursuit of legendary whitetails. Unfortunately, there were three hunting incidents that serve as a reminder for hunters to review safety measures before heading out.

Safety tips for paddling in cold weather

• 11/21/2023 11:57:00 AM
• View Count 4925

Winter paddling can provide solitude, exercise and an opportunity to see amazing winter beauty. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recommends that paddlers be prepared to paddle in cold weather.

Safety first, during the gun deer seasons

• 11/21/2023 11:54:00 AM
• View Count 6035

The long wait is almost over. For an expected 100,000-plus deer hunters, the gun deer seasons are right around the corner and before they head to the timber, it’s important that everyone go through their gear to make sure everything still fits and still works and takes time to review their hunting safety plan.

Think safety before opening day

• 10/24/2023 1:23:00 PM
• View Count 5035

Hunters heading to the field for the opening weekend of pheasant season are encouraged to review safe hunting practices before they head out.

Stay safe this harvest season

• 9/26/2023 1:05:00 PM
• View Count 5107

AMES - As fall harvest starts across Iowa, the risk of wildfires in crop fields increases. Recent rains across Iowa provided some relief from the on-going drought, but crop fields are still dry, cured and could spark wildfires.

Bowhunters encouraged to practice the ABCs of tree stand safety

• 9/26/2023 12:58:00 PM
• View Count 3787

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.

Busy Labor Day weekend expected on Iowa waters and at state parks

• 8/29/2023 2:13:00 PM
• View Count 4027

DES MOINES – The unofficial end to summer this weekend is expected to draw thousands of Iowans to their state parks and waterways.

Stay safe paddling this 4th of July holiday weekend

• 6/27/2023 4:34:00 PM
• View Count 2634

Iowa lakes and rivers will be busy with paddlers this long holiday weekend.

Don’t be fooled by summer heat: Iowa’s waters are still dangerously cold

• 6/1/2023 3:56:00 PM
• View Count 3780

Summer heat entices many to plunge into local lakes to cool off. Air temperatures may soar into the 90s this weekend but water temperatures are much cooler, especially below the surface.

MADD, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, team up for boating BUI and ATV DUI prevention campaign to kick off summer recreation season

• 5/16/2023 1:56:00 PM
• View Count 2699

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Illinois volunteers and staff are teaming up with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to promote safe boating and ATV seasons and to educate about the dangers of operating a boat, watercraft, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) while impaired by alcohol or other drugs.

Safety tips for river recreation this summer

• 5/16/2023 1:52:00 PM
• View Count 3242

Iowa rivers will soon be busy with paddlers, swimmers, and people wading to search for fossils, rocks and driftwood or to clean up litter or explore a sandbar.

Boaters to hit the waters this Memorial Day weekend

• 5/16/2023 1:45:00 PM
• View Count 3143

The unofficial beginning to summer is just days away and that also marks the unofficial beginning of Iowa’s boating season. Boaters across the state are anxious to get out on the lake after the cool and wet spring and are preparing their watercraft for the long holiday weekend.

Spring is a great time for a boating education course

• 4/18/2023 4:19:00 PM
• View Count 2746

It may not feel like boating season yet, but the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), along with boating safety advocates nationwide, are urging boaters to enroll in a boating education course this spring.

Stay safe paddling this spring

• 4/18/2023 4:17:00 PM
• View Count 2632

Early spring paddling can provide solitude, exercise and an opportunity to see amazing wildlife, but extra precautions are needed to stay safe.

Harsh winter across North Iowa is reminder habitat is critical for wildlife survival

• 2/7/2023 8:24:00 PM
• View Count 6300

State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) is a nationwide Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) practice within the continuous sign-up administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Spring is only six weeks away (we hope) – Now’s the time for a midwinter boat checkup

• 2/7/2023 8:11:00 PM
• View Count 5927

A midwinter visit to check on the boat − no matter if stored ashore in a backyard or a marina parking lot − is a wise thing to do. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has four tips to ensure there are no surprises at spring commissioning.

Stay safe on the ice this winter

• 12/20/2022 11:53:00 AM
• View Count 11118

With cold weather finally arriving in Iowa and freezing over lakes and ponds, ice fishing activity has begun at certain northern lakes. As a note of caution, the Iowa Department of Natural Resource (DNR) reminds all anglers - especially those in central and southern Iowa - to stay patient and allow that ice thickness to grow before heading to their favorite ice fishing spot.

Stay safe as Iowa lakes freeze over

• 12/6/2022 9:10:00 PM
• View Count 6202

The recent blast of arctic air is growing ice on lakes and ponds across the northern two-thirds of Iowa. Anglers are ready to get out for the popular early ice fishing season.

Conservation officers push safety, target ID messages during first shotgun deer season

• 12/6/2022 9:01:00 PM
• View Count 5640

Hunter safety and target identification were the top messages by Iowa’s state conservation officers over the weekend during the first shotgun deer season.

Safety tips for paddling in cold weather

• 11/22/2022 11:37:00 AM
• View Count 5831

Winter paddling can provide solitude, exercise and an opportunity to see amazing winter beauty. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recommends that paddlers be prepared to paddle in cold weather.

Safety first, during the shotgun seasons

• 11/15/2022 11:42:00 AM
• View Count 4620

The long wait is almost over. For an expected 100,000 deer hunters, the shotgun deer seasons are right around the corner and before they head to the timber, it’s important that everyone go through their gear to make sure everything still fits and still works and takes time to review their hunting safety plan.

Firewise on the Farm

• 11/1/2022 1:46:00 PM
• View Count 3416

AMES - As Iowa’s annual harvest wraps up across the state, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages farmers to get reacquainted with fire prevention practices to keep the farm ‘firewise.’

Bowhunters encouraged to practice the ABCs of tree stand safety

• 9/27/2022 2:14:00 PM
• View Count 3091

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.

Heavy boat traffic expected for Labor Day Weekend

• 8/30/2022 1:48:00 PM
• View Count 3407

Boaters heading out for the Labor Day holiday will likely find busy waterways across the state.

Busy Labor Day weekend expected on Iowa waters and at state parks

• 8/30/2022 1:25:00 PM
• View Count 2761

DES MOINES – The unofficial end to summer this weekend is expected to draw thousands of Iowans to their state parks and waterways.

Tri-state campaign to eliminate boating while intoxicated

• 8/15/2022 1:58:00 PM
• View Count 3540

Eliminating boating while intoxicated on the Mississippi River will be the focus of a campaign by the Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin natural resources agencies and co-sponsored by the Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin Mothers Against Drunk Drivers and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators to bring added awareness of the dangers of operating a boat while impaired. 

Maquoketa Caves State Park to reopen Thursday

• 7/27/2022 2:41:00 PM
• View Count 4150

MAQUOKETA, IA -- Maquoketa Caves State Park will reopen for day use at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 28. The campground will remain closed until further notice. All campers with reservations through Sunday, July 31 have been notified and refunded.

DNR Director issues statement about incident at Maquoketa Caves State Park

• 7/22/2022 3:27:00 PM
• View Count 5533

DES MOINES -- Statement from Kayla Lyon, Iowa DNR Director:

DNR offers safety tips for paddlers on the Raccoon River

• 7/5/2022 1:24:00 PM
• View Count 3816

Bridge construction on I-80 over the Raccoon River is creating dangerous conditions for paddlers. Warning signs are posted at some of the river accesses.

Stay safe paddling this 4th of July holiday weekend

• 6/28/2022 3:13:00 PM
• View Count 3193

Iowa lakes and rivers will be busy with paddlers this long holiday weekend.

National Safe Boating Week is May 21-27: Three tips to make boating safer this season

• 5/10/2022 1:50:00 PM
• View Count 1493

The nation’s largest recreational boating safety event of the year, National Safe Boating Week, is May 21–27, serves as a reminder to boaters to keep safety front and center all season long. The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water offers three tips for boaters to be safety heroes on the water.

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