IA DNR: DNR Offers Springtime Opportunities for Volunteers

DES MOINES - Spring has officially arrived and the Keepers of the Land, the volunteer program with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), offers many statewide volunteer events and opportunities to welcome the season.

Prairie Rescue Events: Prairie restoration and planting events are happening throughout state in the following communities: Fayette on April 8, Sioux City on April 12, Lehigh on April 18, and Titonka and Sutherland on April 19. Volunteers are needed to assist with various restoration needs including planting, removal of invasive species, and prairie burning. For more information contact Whitney Davis at 515-281-6271.
Spring Operation ReLeaf and Plant Some Shade Events: Spring tree distribution events will be held throughout the state in the following communities: Council Bluffs and Perry on April 12, Davenport on April 17, Iowa Falls on April 19, Marion, Oskaloosa, and Waterloo on April 26. Volunteers are needed to help with various event set-up and logistics needs. For more information contact Matt Brewer 515-242-6892 or Jessica Flatt 515-281-6749.
Ledges State Park Clean-up Event: Members of the Friends of the Ledges are seeking volunteers to assist with a park clean-up day on April 26. Volunteers will be assisting with various outdoor projects including: clearing downed trees, removing litter, and painting and staining picnic tables. A thank you cookout will be held after the cleanup for all volunteers. For more information contact Dennis Buckles at 515-230-4345.
Campground Host Opportunity: Officials at state parks throughout the state are seeking volunteers to serve as campground hosts throughout the upcoming camping season. Hosts are offered free on-site camping and assist park staff by greeting campers, answering visitor questions, and completing various maintenance tasks to ensure the camping area is welcoming to the public. State parks currently seeking volunteer hosts include: Elk Rock (Marion Co), Green Valley (Union Co), Lacey-Keosauqua (Van Buren Co), Lake Anita (Cass Co), Lake Ahquabi (Warren Co), Ledges (Boone Co), Palisades-Kepler (Linn Co), Pleasant Creek (Linn Co), Prairie Rose (Shelby Co), and Stephens State Forest (Lucas Co). For more information contact Elizabeth Gull at 515-281-0806.

A full listing of volunteer opportunities and events is available at www.keepersoftheland.org.

For more information, contact Merry Rankin at (515) 281-0878 or Merry.Rankin@dnr.iowa.gov.