DNR Volunteer Program Seeking New Slogan

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources' Keepers of the Land Volunteer Program is holding a contest to pick a slogan that will be used to recruit new volunteers and retain current volunteers.
Slogans need to be two to five words and reflect what volunteering means to Iowa's natural resources.

Slogans may be submitted to the DNR via Twitter at www.twitter.com/iowadnr; through Facebook via the "Iowa Department of Natural Resources" fan page; or email at dnr.volunteer@dnr.iowa.gov. Be sure to include your name, email address, phone number and indicate "KOL Slogan" with the entry.

Deadline to enter is March 1, 2010. The top three slogans will be placed on the DNR's Facebook page on March 5 and the entry with the most "likes" by 4:30 p.m., March 15, will be declared the winner.

The person who submits the winning slogan will receive two free nights of camping in any Iowa state park, a one-year subscription to Iowa Outdoors magazine, an Iowa Sportsman's Atlas and more.

Volunteers are an important component to managing Iowa's natural resources, from helping to restore prairies, creating state parks friends groups and more. In 2009, more than 93,000 hours were donated by more than 24,100 volunteers to enhance and preserve Iowa's natural resources.

Midwinter Thaw - Nature Photography Workshop

Get a jumpstart on spring by attending a nature photography workshop on Feb. 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Iowa Lakes Community College, in Emmetsburg.

The goal of the workshop, titled "Midwinter Thaw," is to encourage more people to get outside and become involved in nature. Topics include picking out the right camera equipment and its proper use; and marketing and selling your work.

There is a dramatic upswing in wildlife and nature viewing locally and throughout the country and photography is often the next step. There are many types of nature photography ranging from wildlife to landscapes. Close up views of a honeybee on a wild bergamot prairie flower can be just as captivating as a panoramic photo of a sunset over Lost Island Lake.

The workshop will be lead by professional photographers from northwest Iowa, including Don Poggensee, from Ida Grove, Stan Buman, from Carroll, Dan Ruf, from Spirit Lake and Bruce Morrison, from Hartley. They will offer insight into how they achieve success in nature photography.

The northwest Iowa watchable wildlife project will also be highlighted at the workshop. Currently, this project covers 13 counties and emphasizes the nearly 500 county conservation and DNR public areas throughout the region.

To learn more about the watchable wildlife project, visit the northwest Iowa watchable wildlife web site at: http://www.watchablewildlifenwia.org.

The public workshop is sponsored by Iowa Lakes Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D), Palo Alto County Conservation Board, O'Brien County Conservation Board and Clay County Conservation Board.

There is a $20 registration fee which includes lunch. Registration is required.

To register or for more information about the workshop, contact the Iowa Lakes RC&D office at 712-262-2083, the County Conservation Board Naturalists from Palo Alto County at 712-837-4866, O'Brien County at 712-295-7200, or Clay County at 712-262-2187.

Iowa Lakes Resource Conservation and Development: http://www.iowalakesrcd.org/NewsMedia.htm
- PSA, Flyer and Registration Form

National Parks: America's Best Idea

National Parks: America's Best Idea

The award winning series by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan is being re-broadcast on Iowa Public Television. Programs may be viewed on broadcast or on-lne from the IPTV web site.

Local broadcast of The National Parks is sponsored in part by the Iowa Parks Foundation.

The Last Refuge (1890-1915) (#102)
At the end of the 19th century a conservation movement takes shape to protect America's wilderness.

■Wed, February 3, 8:00 PM on IPTV
■Fri, February 5, 7:00 AM on IPTV World
■Fri, February 5, 1:00 PM on IPTV World
■Fri, February 5, 6:00 PM on IPTV World

The Empire of Grandeur (1915-1919) (#103)
Established in 1916, the National Park Service protects the Grand Canyon from commercial interests.
■Wed, February 10, 8:00 PM on IPTV
■Fri, February 12, 7:00 AM on IPTV World
■Fri, February 12, 1:00 PM on IPTV World
■Fri, February 12, 6:00 PM on IPTV World

Going Home (1920-1933) (#104)
The automobile allows more people to visit the parks.

The Smoky Mountains and Tetons become parks.
■Wed, February 17, 8:00 PM on IPTV
■Fri, February 19, 7:00 AM on IPTV World
■Fri, February 19, 1:00 PM on IPTV World
■Fri, February 19, 6:00 PM on IPTV World

Great Nature (1933-1945) (#105)
During an economic crisis and a world war the parks provided a source of jobs and much-needed peace.
■Wed, February 24, 8:00 PM on IPTV
■Fri, February 26, 7:00 AM on IPTV World
■Fri, February 26, 1:00 PM on IPTV World
■Fri, February 26, 6:00 PM on IPTV World

Local Brodcast is sponsored in part by the Iowa Parks Foundation.


Visit the Foundation's fan page on Facebook.