Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Thanks for staring at the sky with us, friends 🌠 We couldn't help ourselves from sharing these great shots you all sent in of the northern lights and the Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet in the last week! Couple with head lamp: Madison County, Eric Burson Green Valley State Park: Chuck Spindler Comet and northern lights photos: Pleasant Creek State Rec Area, Linn County, Kevin Railsback Tucker Wildlife Images: Lost Grove Lake, Scott County

Welcome home, paddlefish! This week, we've been stocking young paddlefish from the Rathbun Fish Hatchery into the Iowa Great Lakes, where paddlefish were once common. Fossil records show paddlefish have been around for more than 300 million years – that’s about 50 million years before the first dinosaurs! Iowa paddlefish commonly live for 20 years, with 30 years or more not unusual. Stop by the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery Friday morning for a chance to see the paddlefish up close before they're stocked at 1 p.m. at the Emerson Bay State Park boat ramp.

If you love working with people, local grassroots efforts and ensuring a legacy for future generations in western Iowa, we think you'll want to read this 👇 Western Iowa Basin Coordinator: https://bit.ly/4gW7Qq1

New funds are available for Iowa community tree plantings! 🌳 The Iowa Tree Planting grants are available to community governmental entities, volunteer organizations, and service organizations. Learn more: iowadnr.gov/UrbanForestry

Lead engineering and construction projects from boating facilities and wildlife habitat improvement to drinking water treatment and transportation! Apply now: https://lnkd.in/gVtjdtQy

Ready to make your office one of Iowa's most beautiful spaces? You could be the next Park Manager at Lake Wapello State Park! Details: https://lnkd.in/gspMCVh6

Deer. Dawn. Dusk. 🦌 Always. Be. sCanning. Deer are on the move - continually scan the road and ditches. Remember, deer move most at dawn and dusk, but can cross your path anytime. If you see one deer near the road, assume that there are more nearby. More tips: https://lnkd.in/gBN-iz2b

Take it from a forester - wait until after the growing season to prune oak trees, or you could invite in deadly oak wilt fungus. “It’s best to wait until after Oct. 15 to start pruning oak trees,” says Tivon Feeley, with the Iowa DNR’s forest health program. “Then you can prune your oaks all winter long with the goal to stop pruning by March 1.” Oak wilt, caused by a fungus, has been present in Iowa for many years. Iowa’s red, black, and pin oak are more susceptible to oak wilt, but it can also infect white and bur oak. Black, pin, or red oak usually die within the same summer they are infected. White oak and bur oak can often take a number of years before they succumb to this disease. Read more: https://bit.ly/47ZdDXG

Iowa fall colors loading 🍁 💬 🍂 Weekly reports are back! Sign up at iowadnr.gov/FallColor

A tour this good practically needs its own t-shirt. See you at the pond!