Welcome to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Boater Education Program! The goals of the DNR Boater Education Program are as follows:
- Educate Iowans about boater safety
- Continue to promote boater education in the schools
- Train volunteer instructors to teach boater education
- Make Iowa's waterways safe through education
By providing boater education to the public, the DNR will help ensure the safety of recreational opportunities on Iowa's lakes and rivers. There are approximately 234,335 registered boats in Iowa and over 300,000 acres of water to navigate upon. Education is the key to making these waterways safe for everyone to enjoy.
Boater education is mandatory for any person 12 - 17 years old, who will operate a motorboat over ten horsepower or personal watercraft (PWC). Families can spend quality time together by learning to be safe on the water. Whether you choose to go fishing, sailing, pleasure boating, canoeing, or kayaking, taking a boater education course could save your life!
As the snow and ice has melted off the lakes and rivers, Iowans are finally able to see that spring is just around the corner. The Robins, spring flowers and rainy days remind us that the nice weather is here, which makes us anxious to get out of the house!
Read About It
DES MOINES – A combination of spring fever and high waters can be dangerous especially early in the season with some boaters wanting to get on the water regardless of the conditions. The melting snow and frequent spring rains have swollen Iowa’s rivers, lakes and streams to the point of causing some flooding and washed in downed tree limbs and other debris.
Read About It
The Iowa DNR is launching a Coloring Contest for young people ages 7-11. The coloring contest is promoting the importance of wearing a life jacket by adults and children while recreating on the water. National statistics tell us the 90% of all drowning victims died because they were not wearing their life jackets. The DNR is focusing strongly on making Iowa's waterways safer for everyone.
The Department is once again blessed to be partnering with Mustang Survival for this contest. Mustang Survival is donating a total of 5 youth life jackets to be given away and one winner from each age group will be chosen. All entries must be received to the DNR by May 19, 2008. The winners will be announced that week as a part of "National Safe Boating Week."
In order to qualify for the contest, please put your age on the front of the coloring poster and your name, address, and phone number on the back. This will ensure that the DNR can accurately put posters in the proper age group and contact the winners.
Download Coloring Contest Poster (* .pdf file)
Good Luck and Happy Coloring!!
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