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Drought impacting Iowa’s shallow lakes and wetlands

Drought impacting Iowa’s shallow lakes and wetlands

  • 8/25/2021 8:21:00 AM
  • View Count 2916
Parkersburg, Iowa - With much of Iowa currently under drought conditions, many shallow lakes and wetlands will either be dry or nearly dry, making scouting an important part of hunter’s preparation ahead of the 2021 waterfowl season.
Hayden Prairie State Preserve is a true Iowa gem

Hayden Prairie State Preserve is a true Iowa gem

  • 6/8/2021 1:16:00 PM
  • View Count 5227
Four miles west of Lime Springs off Jade Avenue and 50th Street, is Hayden Prairie State Preserve, home to more than 200 plant species, 20 types of butterflies and 46 different bird species. This 240-acre National Natural Landmark, five miles south of the Minnesota state line, is a rock star in the prairie community.
Winter land application reminders and limitations

Winter land application reminders and limitations

  • 1/27/2021 4:06:00 PM
  • View Count 1881
The drought and warm fall weather helped many producers get crops out early—allowing manure application earlier than during the last couple of years. Here are a few reminders, if winter application is still necessary.
Virtual clinic aims to improve hunter skills

Virtual clinic aims to improve hunter skills

  • 11/3/2020 12:29:00 PM
  • View Count 2947
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is hosting a free virtual wing shooting clinic designed to help hunters age 16 and older become more effective waterfowl and upland bird hunters.
Portions of Wilson Island reopens to visitors, campground area remains closed

Portions of Wilson Island reopens to visitors, campground area remains closed

  • 10/20/2020 1:03:00 PM
  • View Count 2509
A portion of Wilson Island State Recreation Area was reopened to the public on Thursday, for hunting, hiking and for boaters to access the Missouri River and Backwater Chute, 19 months after floodwaters first inundated the public area, and then stayed for nine months.  
Six community trout stocking locations ready for anglers to catch trout

Six community trout stocking locations ready for anglers to catch trout

  • 10/6/2020 1:35:00 PM
  • View Count 10539
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) released between 1,000 to 2,000 rainbow trout at six of the 18 community trout stocking locations across Iowa as part of its cool weather trout program that brings trout to areas that cannot support them during the summer. 
DNR awards 35 Food Storage Capacity Grants to help food pantries

DNR awards 35 Food Storage Capacity Grants to help food pantries

  • 8/27/2020 11:29:00 AM
  • View Count 3969
DES MOINES — The DNR has awarded $204,034 to 35 recipients in Food Storage Capacity grants, which helps organizations expand storage and cold storage of donated food items for distribution to food insecure Iowans. 
Iowa’s teal hunting season begins Sept. 1

Iowa’s teal hunting season begins Sept. 1

  • 8/25/2020 1:37:00 PM
  • View Count 4801
Iowa’s 16-day statewide teal-only hunting season begins September 1 and all indicators are pointing towards hunters having a good year in Iowa.
Wilson Island to remain closed through 2020

Wilson Island to remain closed through 2020

  • 7/28/2020 12:39:00 PM
  • View Count 2733
MISSOURI VALLEY, Iowa - Wilson Island State Recreation area will remain closed through 2020 while the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) works with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to outline the cleanup and repair plan for the popular public area, north of Council Bluffs. 
Nutrient Reduction Strategy Annual Report Shows Record Conservation Engagement by Iowans

Nutrient Reduction Strategy Annual Report Shows Record Conservation Engagement by Iowans

  • 7/2/2020 3:40:00 PM
  • View Count 3187
DES MOINES, Iowa (July 1, 2020) – The 2018-2019 Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (INRS) annual report was released today by Iowa State University, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The findings reveal increased farmer, landowner and community engagement, use of conservation practices, and funding invested in soil health and water quality projects.
Meet Phyllis Kimball, a Monarch Champion

Meet Phyllis Kimball, a Monarch Champion

  • 6/22/2020 2:33:00 PM
  • View Count 6445
Phyllis Kimball, of Creston, enrolled 160 acres in CRP pollinator mix in Ringgold County. Kimball had been away from the farm for more than two decades but returned to manage the day to day operations after an agreement with a local farmer was voided. What she found upon returning was failing terraces and trees that had taken over the valley. She stopped on the gravel road and cried at seeing what had happened to her land.
Forney Lake Wildlife Area offers outdoor recreation all year long

Forney Lake Wildlife Area offers outdoor recreation all year long

  • 6/9/2020 3:21:00 PM
  • View Count 5927
Thurman, Iowa - Sitting 30 miles south of Council Bluffs is a been-here-forever, old school kind of place that has been attracting duck hunters from across southwest Iowa for more than 100 years. Forney Lake Wildlife Area, acquired by the State of Iowa from the Forney family in 1943, has become a 1,317-acre public land mix of natural wetlands and Loess Hills bluffs, bisected by Bluff Road, in northwest Fremont County.
Take a walk in Iowa State Parks: 20 Walks in 2020

Take a walk in Iowa State Parks: 20 Walks in 2020

  • 6/2/2020 11:46:00 AM
  • View Count 7599
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Iowa state parks, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources DNR partnered with three organizations, the Iowa Walking Club, the Nebraska Wander Freunde Trailblazers, and Iowa Parklands, to create 5k and 10k walking routes in 20 Iowa state parks.
Land donors honored during reception in Des Moines

Land donors honored during reception in Des Moines

  • 3/10/2020 11:41:00 AM
  • View Count 2451
DES MOINES, Iowa – More than 3,800 acres of Iowa land in 24 counties with an estimated value of nearly $4.8 million was permanently protected through donations for conservation.  
Spring manure application reminders

Spring manure application reminders

  • 3/5/2020 8:57:00 AM
  • View Count 2527
A few warm days and we start feeling that spring is on its way. However, confinement site producers face another month with limits on land application to snow-covered or frozen ground. Switching to surface application increases the risks of runoff, and reduces available crop nitrogen.
Pollinators, wildlife benefit from landowners bringing prairie back to the landscape

Pollinators, wildlife benefit from landowners bringing prairie back to the landscape

  • 1/14/2020 2:45:00 PM
  • View Count 4925
Virginia Ekstrand is always in motion. From taking ‘ology trips out west with her grandkids to learning how to become a master naturalist, this retired school teacher never stops moving. On this late August morning, she is firing on all cylinders when talking about her latest project of reconstructing a 16-acre prairie on her heritage farm in Henry County.
With its premier location on the migration superhighway - Otter Creek Marsh is about to get busy

With its premier location on the migration superhighway - Otter Creek Marsh is about to get busy

  • 10/8/2019 11:42:00 AM
  • View Count 3819
Chelsea, Iowa - The viewing platform on County Road E66 can be a busy place when the annual migration is on. Looking out at the 3,800-acre Otter Creek Marsh, the platform offers and excellent view of tens of thousands of waterfowl, raptors and other birds as they zero in on this perfectly placed oasis during their journey each spring and fall.
Forestry practices topic of six field days

Forestry practices topic of six field days

  • 10/1/2019 3:05:00 PM
  • View Count 2950
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State University Forestry Extension are partnering to host field days across Iowa in October to showcase practices to improve timber stands, forest health, cost share programs available to woodland owners, battling invasive species, timber market updates and more.
Water pump repaired at Riverton Wildlife Area

Water pump repaired at Riverton Wildlife Area

  • 9/3/2019 12:23:00 PM
  • View Count 2448
Riverton, Iowa - The main pump at the Riverton Wildlife Area began pumping water again to the wetland on Aug. 27, after staff with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Nishnabotna Unit was able to clear the pump intake and get it running.
History, habitat and location collide to make Waterman Prairie a true Iowa treasure

History, habitat and location collide to make Waterman Prairie a true Iowa treasure

  • 8/13/2019 4:02:00 PM
  • View Count 3694
Sutherland, Iowa - The area that has become Waterman Prairie has been important for people and wildlife for more than 1,000 years. It’s an area that native tribes called home and where Inkpaduta, Wahpekute Dakota Indian chief of the Spirit Lake massacre and Little Big Horn fame, hid from the military on his way west.
Partnership project leads to diverse wetland

Partnership project leads to diverse wetland

  • 6/18/2019 2:04:00 PM
  • View Count 3504
FAIRBANK, Iowa - Fans in the stands of the Wapsi Valley Warriors football stadium have taken notice of the large birds with long necks and grinding, raspy calls flying overhead during games in recent years. The once rare sight has become more common as the local sandhill crane population at Aldo Leopold Wildlife Management Area continues to expand.
DNR postponing trout stockings in Spencer and Fort Dodge

DNR postponing trout stockings in Spencer and Fort Dodge

  • 1/16/2019 4:18:00 PM
  • View Count 3155
The Iowa DNR is postponing the trout stockings and family fishing events scheduled for this Saturday, Jan. 19 at Scharnberg Pond, Spencer, and Moorland Pond, Fort Dodge, due to inclement weather expected this weekend.
Hunter, dog rescued after kayak capsized

Hunter, dog rescued after kayak capsized

  • 10/25/2018 8:21:00 AM
  • View Count 3297
JACKSON COUNTY, Iowa – On October 20, around 9:00 a.m., the Sabula Fire and Rescue were dispatched to Browns Lake near Green Island Wildlife Management Area for a hunter in the water holding onto a capsized kayak.
Harrison County leads the way allowing hunter access on private land

Harrison County leads the way allowing hunter access on private land

  • 10/16/2018 12:41:00 PM
  • View Count 8109
PERSIA, Iowa - A few weeks ago, Terry Plummer noticed that just around sunset, the trees in his yard were filling with monarchs that had stopped for the night on their 2,000 mile annual migration to central Mexico. Plummer, who spent his life farming in Harrison County, didn’t recall that happening before.
Wetland complex is a backcountry escape in the heart of farm country

Wetland complex is a backcountry escape in the heart of farm country

  • 8/14/2018 12:50:00 PM
  • View Count 5766
Fonda, Iowa – The Sunken Grove and Leo Shimon Marsh Wetland Complex becomes Grand Central Station twice a year for migrating ducks, geese, pelicans and shorebirds that stop to rest and refuel before resuming their journey. The nearly 1,300 acres of wetlands, marshes, prairies and timber is surrounded by some of the most productive farmland in the world in southwest Pocahontas County.
Mysterious tile line identified, solution in place

Mysterious tile line identified, solution in place

  • 7/20/2018 12:19:00 PM
  • View Count 3078
WHITING, Iowa – The mysterious clay tile line that was discharging into the McCandles – Cleghorn ditch and reported to the DNR on Friday, July 13 has since been identified.
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