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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2022
DES MOINES, Iowa – More than 3,890 acres of Iowa land in 22 counties with an estimated value of more than $11.6 million was permanently protected through donations for conservation.
The donors associated with 16 donations of land or land value will be recognized during a ceremony on March 23, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the first-floor rotunda, at the State Capitol, in Des Moines. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds is scheduled to attend. An additional 47 donors from 2020 and 2019 will also be recognized at the ceremony.
Landowners who are in attendance will be honored individually for their donation. For more information about individual donations, visit the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov/landdonors.
Media Contact: Whitney Schuhardt, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 515-250-3617.
State forestry experts are encouraging Iowans to proceed with caution as they clean up tree damage from Saturday’s tornadoes.
Emma Hanigan, urban forestry coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, suggests homeowners and volunteers wear safety equipment, including hand, foot, leg, eye, face, hearing and head protection, and avoid wearing loose-fitting clothes while using a chainsaw.
“Be careful when working with trees and limbs that are snapped off, twisted and tangled together,” warns Hanigan. “The trunk or tree limbs may bind against the chainsaw.”
After cleanup is complete, homeowners wanting to have their trees inspected should contact a professional, insured arborist. The arborist can examine trees for cracks or other issues that might have been overlooked. Routine tree care of young trees makes them more resilient long term and decreases the likelihood of storm-related damage.
Hanigan said younger wind-thrown trees can be saved by staking and guying, but larger trees are less likely to recover.
When the time is right, homeowners who have lost trees are encouraged to replant.
The Iowa DNR has information and links to help homeowners identify and select a licensed arborist, and tips on chain saw safety, pruning and tree care and replanting online at https://www.iowadnr.gov/urbanforestry
Media Contact: Emma Hanigan, Urban Forestry Coordinator, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 515-249-1732.
The snow goose migration is underway and with it, the opportunity for waterfowl hunters to participate in the special conservation order allowing hunting of light geese in Iowa through May 1.
While snow goose migration can be found across the state, it is more common to see the huge flocks passing through western and southwestern Iowa on their way to arctic Canada.
“We typically see somewhere between 1,000 to 1,500 of our waterfowl hunters participate in this special season yearly and they average around 8-10 geese each, but it’s really weather-dependent,” said Orrin Jones, state waterfowl biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. “When the weather holds the birds here, the harvest is higher, when it’s mild and they pass right through, the harvest is lower. March and April are generally the months when we see our biggest push of light geese into the state and given the current weather, it’s likely going to be March this year.”
The special season is used as a tool to help reduce the light goose population to allow the fragile arctic habitat to recover. The 2022 special conservation order is open statewide from Jan. 23 to May 1.
New way to register for the Harvest Information Program (HIP)
For hunters to participate in the special conservation order on light geese, they will need a hunting license, habitat fee, state migratory game bird fee and to have completed the HIP registration.
There is a new process to register for HIP. After purchasing a hunting license, the license holder will need to open the Go Outdoors Iowa app on their smartphone, go to www.iowadnr.gov/waterfowl or www.gooutdoorsiowa.com and answer a few questions. Once registered, hunters will need to physically write a confirmation number on the line provided at the top of the license as proof of registration or take a screen shot of their confirmation number.
“The process is up and working pretty well. For those uncomfortable with technology, they can call me or the DNR office in Des Moines and we can help get them registered,” Jones said.
Jones office number is 641-357-3517 ext 23. The main Iowa DNR office number is 515-725-8200.
Registering for HIP is a federal requirement for all migratory bird hunters. Migratory game birds mean more than ducks and geese; it includes ducks, geese, coots, doves, woodcock, rails, and snipe. The purpose of the new method of registration is to improve the quality of the data collected by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), which allows the FWS to be more specific in their surveys and survey the right hunters.
Deer, turkey, and upland game hunters are not required to register for HIP and do not need to take the survey or record a confirmation number. Registering for HIP can be done later, if the hunter changes their mind.
Media Contact: Orrin Jones, State Waterfowl Biologist, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 641-357-3517 ext 23.
Surprising as it may seem, March is not a busy boating month in Iowa. But it is a good time to clean and inspect important boating equipment – lifejackets – so its ready to go when the snow and ice finally disappear.
Susan Stocker, boating law administrator and education coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, said it’s important to regularly examining lifejackets for wear and tear.
“Lifejackets get tossed around, spend time in the water and sun, and are stuffed under seats and in other available storage. They get dirty and beat up. This is a good time of year to get them out and give them a little TLC,” she said.
She recommended each lifejacket be visually inspected for any rips or tears and ensure all straps and buckles work properly and not frayed. Inflatable lifejackets should be free of any cracks or pin holes in the plastic bladder, the CO2 cartridge sealed and stored in temperatures above freezing.
“All lifejackets should be stored in a cool, dry location to prevent mold or mildew,” Stocker said.
Cleaning
To clean and disinfect inherently buoyant lifejackets, toss them in a front-loading washing machine with liquid detergent and run gentle cycle with cold water. Make sure all flaps and straps are fastened before washing to avoid damage. Hang to dry in a well-ventilated area.
To clean and disinfect inflatable lifejackets – first, ensure the inflator is disarmed. Do not dry clean, use chlorine bleach or apply heat. Do not machine launder inflatables – hand wash or sponge down in soapy water near 140 degrees or as hot as you can stand. Be careful of burns when hand washing, taking care not to submerge the inflator. Rinse in clean water and hang to dry on a plastic coat hanger.
Mild over the counter spray disinfectants may also be used on both types of lifejackets. The material used in lifejackets is consistent with most sports equipment so surface sprays that do not saturate fabrics may be used. Always store fully dried lifejackets in warm, dry well ventilated places out of direct sunlight.
Media Contact: Susan Stocker, Boating Law Administrator and Education Coordinator, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 515-313-6439.
DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a virtual program to teach the introductory skills needed to hunt, field dress and cook wild turkey.
The workshop, scheduled for March 31 from 6 to 8 p.m., features experienced instructors teaching basic strategies for hunting wild turkeys such as proper equipment, where to hunt, safe shooting practices, and how to field dress, butcher and cook them, and provides an opportunity for participants to ask questions from the panel.
“This program provides the opportunity to learn the skills and knowledge it takes to pursue wild turkeys for those interested in the challenge of turkey hunting as a means of sourcing their own protein,” said Jamie Cook, program coordinator with the Iowa DNR.
The course is designed for participants 16 years of age and older with little to no turkey hunting experience. The course will be held via Zoom and there is no cost to attend. Space is limited so early registration is encouraged.
To register, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vhCMBLPeRqO-Co3KKBPxsg
The program is provided through a partnership with the Iowa DNR and the National Wild Turkey Federation. It is part of a national effort to recruit, retain and reactivate hunters due to the overall decline in hunting and outdoor recreation.
Media Contact: Jamie Cook, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 515.350.8091
CLARION – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a come-and-go open house style public meeting from 6-8 p.m., March 22, in the enclosed shelter house at Lake Cornelia Park, 1768 O’Brien Avenue, to discuss non-native yellow bass management options for Lake Cornelia in Wright County.
Lake Cornelia, a popular destination for angling and other outdoor recreation, is one of 14 natural lakes in Iowa with maximum depths greater than 10 feet. The lake suffers from an overabundance of yellow bass that cause growth and reproduction issues for the remaining sportfish.
Iowa DNR staff will share the results from extensive research studies of yellow bass populations in Lake Cornelia, discuss potential removal options, and accept comments from the public. Those unable to attend the public meeting may send comments via email to fisheries@dnr.iowa.gov or U.S. mail to Scott Grummer, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 1203 N Shore Dr., Clear Lake, Iowa, 50428.
Any person attending the public meeting and has special requirements such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments should contact the DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.
Media Contacts: Jonathan Meerbeek, DNR Fisheries Research Biologist at 712-330-1872 or Scott Grummer, DNR Fisheries Management Biologist at 641-425-5467.
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