Public News Service

In partnership with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, volunteers are discovering new bee species and working to fortify bumble bee habitat, in Iowa and across the country. (Xerces/Katie Lamke)

Iowans asked to get busy counting beeezzz, please

The state Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State University are looking for volunteers to help create a new Bumble Bee Atlas. Bees are an …

The Wildlife Disease Surveillance for Pandemic Prevention Act seeks to create a Wildlife Disease Surveillance Program though the Wildlife Health Office at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (Adobe Stock)

Wildlife disease measure could benefit IA ag industry

Wildlife advocates are asking Congress to pass bill that would help states track diseases killing wildlife across the country. In Iowa, the measure …

Bald eagles sit 3 to 3.5 feet tall and weigh eight to 15 pounds. Their eyes are five to six times more powerful than a human's. (Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources)

Iowa uses public's birds-eye view to monitor bald eagles, amphibians

Iowa wildlife officials are asking outdoor enthusiasts to cast a birds-eye view on bald eagle nests to help track their health, and are also on a …

Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time, including during the growing season, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (Adobe Stock)

Interior Invests $120 Million in Midwest 'Prairie Potholes'

As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, the Interior Department has announced it is investing $120 million to restore and rebuild key segments of …

The deer population in Iowa is estimated to number at least 445,000. (Adobe Stock)

Chronic Wasting Disease Threatens IA Deer

Wildlife biologists are warning Iowa hunters to have their deer tested for a deadly condition known to attack the animal's brain. Chronic Wasting …

According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, a wild turkey can see about seven times better than humans and hear about 10 times better. (Roger Hill/Iowa DNR)

Iowa's Wild Turkeys: A Success Story for Endangered Species

CORRECTION: Wild turkeys were not on the Endangered Species List, as it had not been created at the time they were hunted to near-extinction…

The Cardinal-Hickory Creek power line is a nearly $500 million project, stretching more than 100 miles. (Adobe Stock)

Wildlife Refuge Concerns at Heart of Power-Line Controversy

Work continues on a proposed power-line system that would cross into Iowa from Wisconsin, even as court battles play out about the project. …

According to Iowa officials, nearly 35 projects in the state are currently going through the review process under the federal law known as NEPA. (fws.gov)

IA Farmers Voice Concerns over Controversial Environmental Law Change

NASHUA, Iowa -- Some Iowans are among those weighing in on proposed changes to a landmark federal environmental law, saying the changes would be …

Many of the EPA regulations that Scott Pruitt scrapped or delayed as EPA administrator had not yet taken effect before his resignation. (Wikimedia Commons)

Government Watchdog Groups: Pruitt's EPA Exit "Long Overdue"

WASHINGTON – After allegedly overspending on everything from pens to lavish trips and accepting questionable deals from lobbyists, government …

Iowans are encouraged to create wildlife habitat gardens to help save pollinator species. (NWF)

Pollinator Week: How a Garden Might Help Save a Species

DES MOINES, Iowa – As Iowans enjoy blueberries, cherries and other fruits of summer, wildlife experts are asking that they give back to the …

The population of America's most well-known butterfly has declined by 90 percent in the past 20 years. (Pixabay:leoleobobeo)

Midwest Needs "All Hands on Deck" to Save Monarch Butterfly

DES MOINES, Iowa — Wildlife officials say the king of butterflies could go the way of the passenger pigeon unless people step in and plant more …

Iowa is one of six states that have made a commitment to provide habitats for monarch butterflies and other pollinators along Interstate 35. (StarbuckATC/Pixabay)

Monarch Highway Aims to Bring Monarchs Back from Brink

DES MOINES, Iowa – If you've ever watched the process of a caterpillar becoming a vividly colorful monarch butterfly, you probably have an …

Ospreys are being reintroduced in Iowa, thanks to joint efforts with naturalists in Minnesota. (IowaDNR.org)

Increasing Osprey Population Inspiring Iowans to Work for Clean Water

BOONE, Iowa – The osprey, a fish-eating bird of prey, was once common in Iowa, but populations dwindled with the arrival of European settlers…

Ant-sized parasitic wasps are helping reduce emerald ash borers threatening millions of trees throughout Iowa. (Katja Schulz/Wikimedia Commons)

Tiny Wasps Helping Save Trees in Iowa

AMES, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has introduced tiny, parasitic wasps to combat the invasive emerald ash …

A monarch butterfly feeds on flowers of the Swamp Milkweed. In Iowa, ISU is doing research to reintroduce milkweed, the only plant where monarchs will lay eggs. (DRamsey/Wikimedia Commons)

Dwindling Monarch Butterfly Population Needs Help in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa - While the dwindling monarch butterfly population is showing signs of bouncing back, it still is in need of help in Iowa. The …

The rusty patched bumble bee used to be common in parts of the state, but has seen its population plummet in recent years. Credit: Sarina Jepsen/The Xerces Society

Endangered Species Act Could Include First Bee

DES MOINES, Iowa - Protections could be on the way for a bumble bee that used to be commonly found in parts of Iowa and across the Upper Midwest but …

An expert on avian influenza says it was just a matter of time that the disease would spread. Credit: U.S. Department of Agriculture/Flickr.

Production Model Changes Could Prevent Bird Flu Outbreaks

DES MOINES, Iowa – The outbreak of avian influenza that has decimated hundreds of turkey and chicken operations in Iowa and more than a dozen …

PHOTO: With a deadly fungal disease called white-nose syndrome decimating its numbers, the northern long-eared bat today officially becomes listed as a threatened species in Iowa and across the country. Photo credit: University of Illinois/Steve Taylor/Flickr.

Iowa's Northern Long-Eared Bats Now on Threatened List

DES MOINES, Iowa – New protections now are in place for the northern long-earned bat, which officially becomes listed as a threatened species …

PHOTO: Last week marked the 100th day of the 114th Congress, and it came with a briefing by conservation and environmental groups that said America's lands, water and wildlife are in peril from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his colleagues. Photo credit: Carl Wycoff/Flickr.

Analysis says 114th Congress Failing on Climate, Water, Wildlife

DES MOINES, Iowa - As the 114th Congress moves toward its 114th day, a briefing from conservation and environmental groups is giving Senate Majority …

PHOTO: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is being taken to court over its approval of an herbicide for use on genetically-engineered soybean and corn crops in Iowa and 14 other states. The plaintiffs allege the Dow AgroSciences product, Enlist Duo, poses a threat to human health and to endangered animal species. Photo credit: Jo Naylor/Flickr.

Another Challenge to New Herbicide for Use in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa - A legal battle is being mounted against the Environmental Protection Agency over its expanded approval of a new herbicide for use …

PHOTO: Supporters of limits on carbon pollution say Iowans with asthma will be among those reaping health benefits. Detractors say the new regulations will slow the economy. Both sides weigh in at EPA hearings this week. Photo credit: Jenn Durfey / Flickr.

Carbon Emission Rules Could Bring Benefits for Economy and Health

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking public comments on new rules to cut carbon pollution from power plants by …

PHOTO: Swing vote Justice Anthony Kennedy swung in favor of

Another Supreme Court Decision Favors Big Spenders

ALTOONA, Iowa – Another important campaign finance decision handed down Wednesday by the U.S. Supreme Court is provoking both celebration and …

PHOTO: The emerald ash borer leaves an emergence hole that's shaped like the letter

Statewide Quarantine to Slow Spread of Emerald Ash Borer

DES MOINES, Iowa - With winter starting to lessen its grip on Iowa and more people venturing outside, there's a reminder that all 99 counties are now …

PHOTO: A hog operation in southeast Iowa has been fined $10,000 and ordered to make repairs after a November manure spill into a tributary of the Des Moines River. Photo Credit: Carl Wycoff

Hog Farm Fined for Manure Spill in Tributary of Des Moines River

DES MOINES, Iowa – One of the state's largest hog operations is being fined for the spill of manure into a tributary of the Des Moines River…

PHOTO: The Conservation Stewardship Program is open for new enrollments for 2014 and it's a program with which more and more Iowa farmers are finding success. CREDIT: Carl Wycoff

Deadline Looms for New Conservation Stewardship Sign-Up

BOONE, Iowa – The annual enrollment for the Conservation Stewardship Program is under way. And it’s an effort that's finding success in …

PHOTO: A new National Wildlife Federation report outlines how climate change is affecting big game, making a connection between a bleeding disease and Iowa's white-tailed deer. Photo credit: U.S. Forest Service

Report: Deer Bleeding Disease Connected to Climate Change

DES MOINES, Iowa - White-tailed deer are sometimes so plentiful in Iowa they're considered a nuisance. However, according to a new report from the …

PHOTO: North Dakota farmers and ranchers are being asked to weigh in on the enrollment process for this year's Conservation Stewardship Program. CREDIT: USDA

Iowans Asked to Critique Conservation Stewardship Program

DES MOINES, Iowa – Contracts for this year's Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) are being finalized, and Iowans who went through the …

PHOTO: An increase in fertilizer runoff from agriculture, combined with more severe weather, are the factors leading to more toxic algae blooms on waterways, in Iowa and across the nation. Photo credit: Ben Townsend

Iowa Near Top in States with Toxic Algae Problems

DES MOINES, Iowa - A growing scourge of harmful algae blooms plagues waterways across the nation, and Iowa is among the states most affected…

PHOTO: A pair of new reports from the National Wildlife Federation encourage producers to think about cover crops for in-between seasons. Photo courtesy NWF.

Cover Crop Farming Trend on the Rise in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa - Fallow season in Iowa could turn into growing season, to the benefit of clean water and farmers' bottom lines. A pair of new …

PHOTO: The Topeka Shiner is already on the list of endangered species in Iowa and climate change has the potential to make things worse. Photo provided by Kansas DW&P.

Report: Climate Change Affecting Iowa Wildlife Now

DES MOINES, Iowa – From coast to coast, the nation's plants, fish and wildlife are facing challenges because of a changing climate, according …

PHOTO: A new report from the Environmental Working Group finds no improvement in Iowa stream and river water quality in ten years. Photo credit: NRCS

Murky Iowa Waters: An Environmental and Public Health Disaster?

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Clean Water Act has been the law of the land in the United States for decades, but a new analysis finds that Iowa's water …

IA Vanishing Grasslands Noted in 'State of the Birds' Report

DES MOINES, Iowa - Bobolinks, prairie chickens and meadowlarks aren't as common as they once were in Iowa, according to a new federal report which …

Prairie Pothole Study: Corn Ethanol is Crowding Out Critters

DES MOINES, Iowa - Government incentives and mandates to plant corn for ethanol are bringing some unintended consequences for wildlife, according to …

Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone Traced Back to Iowa

Baton Rouge, LA – The summer hypoxic or dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to grow to its largest size ever by July, covering up to …

Scott: Earth Day Marks 39 Years of Progress

Washington D.C. – Few Iowans can recall the time when there were no water treatment plants and raw sewage was dumped directly into Iowa …

Polar Bear’s Fortunes Linked to our Own

Des Moines, IA – Just days after the U.S. Department of the Interior declared the polar bear to be a threatened species, because of reduced …

Polar Bear Protections "Frozen" -- Groups Say Iowans Have Stake in Lawsuit

Des Moines, IA – The clock's ticking on polar bear protections -- and the Bush administration needs to act now, according to several …

Winter Salt Leads to a 'Fresh' Water Problem Come Spring

Des Moines, IA - Think twice about how you clear that sidewalk outside your home this winter. Already this year, tons of salt have been applied to …

Turning Iowa “Sodbusters” into “Sodsavers”

Des Moines IA – Farmers who use conservation practices could reduce soil erosion, filter out pollutants from groundwater and provide a habitat …

Livestock Farmers to the Rescue – For Iowa Wildlife

Des Moines IA – A new wildlife preservation project promises to reverse the decline in pheasant and quail populations by relying on Iowa's lives…

If Polar Bears are in Trouble, so are Iowans

Washington D.C. - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed that the polar bear be listed as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act …

Protecting Iowa's Soil, Water, Air and Farmers

Glidden, IA - A proposal before the U.S. House of Representatives would put a $280 million limit on the popular Conservation Security Program (CSP) …

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IA: Endangered Species & Wildlife