News Release Iowans can put their support for conservation on cruise control by purchasing a natural resources license plate when it’s time to renew their vehicle registration. The sale of Iowa’s natural resources license plates provides financial support for the Wildlife Diversity Program in the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Resource Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP). After the initial $45 fee, the $25 renewal fee will be added to the annual registration bill. Each year when the registration is renewed, $15 goes to the Wildlife Diversity Program and $10 goes to REAP. Proceeds from the license plates are … Continue reading Iowa license plates can support natural resources

News Release For people interested in camping during Memorial Day weekend, the three-month window to reserve a campsite at an Iowa state park opens Sunday, Feb. 24. Memorial Day weekend begins Friday, May 24 through Monday, May 27. Campsite reservations can be made three months prior to visiting, making it a good time to start planning a trip to a state park. Information on Iowa’s state parks is available at http://www.iowadnr.gov including the link to make reservations. Campers can also log on directly to https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/welcome.do. Due to renovations to campgrounds and poor weather conditions, the following parks will not be … Continue reading Memorial Day weekend campsites available soon for reservation

By the Iowa DNR This weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys and county and state parks staff. Clear Lake Ice thickness is 12 to 18 inches. Yellow Bass – Fair: Start shallow with a small jig or jigging spoon tipped with several spikes or a waxworm. You have to keep moving to stay on fish. Yellow Perch – Fair: Lots of small fish are being caught. If you’re not going to use the fish you catch, please release them. Black Crappie – Slow: Use jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head in the early morning. Walleye – Slow: Best … Continue reading FISHING REPORT: Crappie in the Cedar backwaters

DNR news release DES MOINES – Applications are now being accepted for the Trees for Kids Grant and Trees for Kids Seedlings through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Applications are due in March and are open to public organizations such as municipalities, schools, neighborhood associations, parks and recreation departments, county conservation boards, etc. Recipients of the Trees for Kids grants have the possibility to receive up to $5,000 to purchase trees and mulch from a nursery, but must include youth education, preferably by having youth help plant the trees. Application deadline for Trees For Kids grant is Friday, … Continue reading Application process now open for Trees for Kids programs

DNR news release The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is currently seeking public comment for the proposed rule making to implement Senate File 2389, passed by the Iowa Legislature in April 2018, allowing the DNR to establish rental fees at state parks and recreation areas. This change eliminates the need for the DNR to go through rule making under the authority of the Natural Resource Commission to establish, change and manage fees for camping, the use of rental facilities and other special privileges in state parks and recreation areas. As part of the legislation, the DNR is required to … Continue reading DNR seeking public comment for proposed rules for state parks and recreation areas