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DNR News Releases

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Black-capped chickadees astonishing secrets

• 2/14/2023 11:58:00 AM
• View Count 7340

Black-capped chickadees survive the harshest winters with amazing adaptive behaviors and abilities. From adjusting their core body temperatures to shedding and adding brain cells to memorizing hundreds of locales of stashed foods, these tiny wonders have astonishing secrets.

Number of donors to the Chickadee Check-off continues to decline

• 1/24/2023 11:57:00 AM
• View Count 10212

Last year, more than 6,200 Iowa taxpayers helped wildlife conservation with donations to the Fish and Wildlife Fund on their state tax form, which is nearly 1,000 fewer than who donated in 2020.  and represents about 0.4 percent of total taxpayers in Iowa.

On-stream Impoundment Restoration fund offers opportunities to improve water quality on eligible on-stream impoundments

• 9/13/2022 12:25:00 PM
• View Count 3271

DES MOINES – The on-stream impoundment restoration fund, created by the Iowa Legislature in 2021 and administered by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), will award funds to improve water quality and recreational opportunities on eligible on-stream impoundments throughout Iowa.

Taxes are for the birds...and other vulnerable wildlife

• 1/28/2022 2:18:00 PM
• View Count 1725

We know taxes aren't a lot of fun, but there is a small thing you can do to feel better about the process.

Chickadee tax check-off donations soared in 2020

• 1/25/2022 3:43:00 PM
• View Count 2149

Last year, more than 7,100 Iowa taxpayers helped boost wildlife conservation with donations to the Fish and Wildlife Fund on their state tax form. The number of people donating has continually declined and represents about 0.5 percent of total taxpayers in Iowa.

New restoration fund offers opportunities to improve water quality on eligible on-stream impoundments

• 10/4/2021 9:22:00 AM
• View Count 1498

DES MOINES – A new restoration fund, created by the Iowa Legislature and administered by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), will award funds to improve water quality and recreational opportunities on eligible on-stream impoundments throughout Iowa. 

2021 Volunteer Fire Department – Wildland Fire Assistance Grants Available

• 8/10/2021 1:42:00 PM
• View Count 2746

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forestry - Fire Program, working in coordination with the US Forest Service, has grant money available for Iowa’s rural fire departments to help battle wildfires.

Grants available to rural fire departments to help battle wildfires

• 9/22/2020 2:12:00 PM
• View Count 2239

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Forestry - Fire Program, working in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service, has grant money available for Iowa’s rural fire departments to help battle wildfires.

DNR Derelict Building Grant Program awards funding to 12 rural Iowa communities

• 5/28/2020 12:20:00 PM
• View Count 3462

DES MOINES – Twelve small, rural Iowa communities have received grants from the DNR’s Derelict Building Grant Program to help deconstruct or renovate abandoned structures, remove asbestos and limit construction and demolition materials going to the landfill.

Algona water quality project ribbon cutting ceremony to be held

• 5/30/2019 12:26:00 PM
• View Count 3057

ALGONA, Iowa -- The City of Algona, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, invites the public to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony at the corner of Moore and Call Streets on June 7, 2019 at 10:30 a.m., to unveil the Permeable Paver/Tree Trench project.  

FY 2020 IUPs Ready for Public Review

• 5/6/2019 10:19:00 AM
• View Count 2170

The Fiscal Year 2020 Intended Use Plans (IUPs) for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) are now available for public review and comment.

SRF to Increase Final Disbursement Withholding in State Fiscal Year 2020

• 4/30/2019 12:54:00 PM
• View Count 2739

The amount withheld until receipt of final documentation on State Revolving Fund (SRF) construction loans will change in the next state fiscal year (SFY). Currently all projects, regardless of the loan amount, are subject to a $5,000 withholding per loan. Beginning in SFY 2020, all loans executed on or after July 1, 2019 will fall under the new withholding structure. 

Time to start pre-application process for DNR grants to help improve local lakes, rivers and streams

• 12/13/2018 11:39:00 AM
• View Count 2700

DES MOINES — The DNR is now accepting pre-application questionnaires for grant funding that helps locally-led groups develop water quality improvement efforts in Iowa communities.

Third Quarter IUP Update

• 11/8/2018 9:18:00 AM
• View Count 2862

The fiscal year 2019 Intended Use Plans (IUPs) Third Quarter Update for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) and the Drinking Water SRF are now available for public review and comment.

Registration Open for Sponsored Project Workshop

• 10/18/2018 10:47:00 AM
• View Count 2589

Learn how to implement State Revolving Fund sponsored projects in your community at our annual workshop on November 28, 2018 at the DMACC FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. Registration is now open. Registration is just $35 through November 19th.

Second Quarter IUP Updates Approved

• 9/27/2018 10:58:00 AM
• View Count 2692

The Iowa Environmental Protection Commission approved the Clean Water SRF and Drinking Water SRF Intended Use Plan - Quarter 2 Update for fiscal year 2019. The Commission took the action on September 18, 2018 at their meeting in the Osborne Visitor Welcome Center in Elkader, IA.

Short-Term National Product Waiver Signed by EPA

• 8/28/2018 9:01:00 AM
• View Count 2867

On August 24, 2018 the EPA signed the Final Extension of the Short-Term National Product Waiver for Stainless-Steel Nuts and Bolts used in Pipe Couplings, Restraints, Joints, Flanges and Saddles. This short-term waiver permits the use of non-domestically produced stainless-steel nuts and bolts in bolting-type pipe couplings, restraints, joints, flanges, and repair saddles in iron and steel products for projects funded by the Clean Water or Drinking Water State Revolving Funds. 

DNR Derelict Building Grant Program awards funds to 12 rural communities

• 7/26/2018 1:50:00 PM
• View Count 9762

DES MOINES – The DNR Derelict Building Grant Program will award grants to 12 small, rural Iowa communities to help deconstruct or renovate abandoned structures, remove asbestos and limit construction and demolition materials going to the landfill. 

Local Iowa groups can receive financial assistance to launch clean water campaigns

• 7/12/2018 1:33:00 PM
• View Count 3882

DES MOINES — Beginning July 12, Iowa groups looking for help implementing innovative, regional and locally led Clean Water Awareness and Education Campaigns can apply for funding from the Iowa DNR Watershed Improvement Section.

State Revolving Fund FY 2019 IUPs Approved

• 6/21/2018 9:49:00 AM
• View Count 2743

The Iowa Environmental Protection Commission has approved the Clean Water SRF and Drinking Water SRF Intended Use Plans for state fiscal year 2019, which begins July 1, 2018

Upcoming 2018 Sponsored Project Deadlines ​

• 5/11/2018 1:36:00 PM
• View Count 6324

Communities or wastewater utilities interested in applying for an State Revolving Fund (SRF) Water Resource Restoration Sponsored Project should note the upcoming deadlines:

Officials hope tax check-off that benefits conservation continues upward trend on 2017 tax returns

• 1/23/2018 12:47:00 PM
• View Count 6196

Last year, more than 7,800 of Iowa’s 1.6 million taxpayers helped boost wildlife conservation with donations to the Fish and Wildlife Fund on their state income tax form – an increase of nearly 300 contributors over 2016.

DNR SRF Coordinator to Retire

• 1/5/2018 8:26:00 AM
• View Count 3820

Patti Cale-Finnegan, coordinator of the State Revolving Fund for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources since 2004, will be retiring as of January 31, 2018.  

Registration Open for Sponsored Project Workshop

• 10/31/2017 8:34:00 AM
• View Count 3989

Learn how to implement State Revolving Fund sponsored projects in your community at our annual workshop on November 15, 2017.  Registration is now open. Registration is just $25 through November 9

SRF Deadlines and Operator Certification Exams

• 10/12/2017 9:04:00 AM
• View Count 3239

Communities or wastewater utilities interested in applying for an SRF Water Resource Restoration Sponsored Project should note the upcoming deadlines.

FY 2017 Annual Report Now Available

• 10/5/2017 9:12:00 AM
• View Count 3339

The fiscal year 2017 annual report for the Iowa SRF is now available online.

Financial assistance opportunities available for landfill diversion projects

• 5/12/2017 9:23:00 AM
• View Count 3866

DES MOINES – The DNR’s Solid Waste Alternatives Program (SWAP) is now accepting financial assistance applications for projects that work to reduce the amount of solid waste generated and landfilled in Iowa.

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

• 1/24/2017 12:17:00 PM
• View Count 6258

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's Bur Oaks Suffering from Bur Oak Blight

• 8/30/2016 1:49:00 PM
• View Count 6690

Bur oaks are native to all 99 counties in Iowa and are arguably one of Iowa’s toughest native trees. However, this year, many of these trees are showing signs of bur oak blight.  

New grant opportunity to help small Iowa communities with abandoned commercial properties

• 7/21/2016 1:03:00 PM
• View Count 6661

DES MOINES-- Starting Aug. 1, Iowa communities with populations of 5,000 or smaller can apply for special funding to inspect abandoned commercial buildings.

Chickadee Tax Check-Off Seeking Rise in Donations on 2015 Tax Forms

• 2/16/2016 8:19:00 AM
• View Count 4981

Last year, roughly 7,500 out of 1.5 million Iowa taxpayers helped boost wildlife conservation with donations to the Fish and Wildlife Fund on their state tax form. This marks the first year in the last five where contributions and the number of contributors to the Fish and Wildlife fund have gone down. Donations to all the state tax form check-offs were down on 2014 returns.

Contributions to Chickadee Check-Off on State Tax Form Continues Its Modest Rise

• 1/19/2016 7:26:00 AM
• View Count 5425

Last year, roughly 7,500 out of a total 1.5 million Iowa taxpayers helped boost wildlife conservation with donations to the Fish and Wildlife Fund on their state tax form. This marks the first year in the last five where contributions and the number of contributors to the Fish and Wildlife fund have gone down. Donations to all the state tax form check-offs were down on 2014 returns.

Skip The Crowds - Enjoy Iowa Outdoors

• 11/10/2015 5:35:00 AM
• View Count 16450

What to do with a free Friday in November?

On the Hunt for Fall Mushrooms

• 10/9/2015 12:00:00 PM
• View Count 80631

When it comes to hunting mushrooms, the spring morel mushroom is king of the woods. Yet fall is a fabulous time to be outdoors, and a great time to take your family mushroom hunting. The days are cooler, the colors beautiful and the still-warm earth and September rains produce a riot of mushrooms. While it is true you won’t stumble upon the prized morel, there are plenty flavorful fungi to be found.