Iowa Parks Foundation

07/27/2021

Webinar Alert! Join retired DNR Parks Manager, Jerry Reisinger on a fascinating presentation on the History of the State Park System in America.

Join retired DNR Parks Manager Jerry Reisinger on a fascinating presentation on the History of the State Park System in America

07/18/2021

New state park trail app available!

The Iowa DNR has developed an online mapping application to help visitors navigate trails in state parks.

Through GPS and mobile data, the application can be accessed on mobile phones and helps the user identify trail names, trail heads, acceptable trail use (i.e. hiking, biking, etc.), and distances. The application is web-based rather than downloadable from an app store, so data service availability could be a factor when using the trail map application. To access trail maps, go to iowadnr.gov/stateparks and click on Iowa State Park Trails.

02/08/2021

A great story last week from the Ames Tribune as Iowa State Parks see record visitors in 2020.

A record 16.6 million visitors stopped at Iowa’s state parks in 2020, according to data from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

12/22/2020

Join the First Day Hike 2021 Challenge and use your Iowa State Park Passport to win prizes.

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12/07/2020

"State park rangers — certified peace officers who safeguard Iowa’s premier outdoor recreational areas — are confronting an increasingly endangered species: themselves."

By Rick Jost, IowaWatch State park rangers — certified peace officers who safeguard Iowa’s premier outdoor recreational areas — are confronting an increasingly endangered species: themselves.

11/29/2020

Be sure to follow us on instagram for photos from Iowa State Parks: A Century of Stewardship, 1920-2020.

http://www.iaparks.org/__book/

https://www.instagram.com/iowaparksfoundation/

State Parks Centennial Book About the Book In 1920, Iowa dedicated its first two state parks. In the century since, the Iowa state park system has evolved into a broad array of lands and waters that represent a legacy of tireless stewardship. “Iowa State Parks: A Century of Stewardship,” commemo...

11/25/2020

"Iowa State Parks: A Century of Stewardship" author Rebecca Conard and photo editors Angela Corio and Jim Scheffler will be featured in the Iowa Authors Series on Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. CST. Register now to hear behind the scenes information from these talented creators.

The Iowa Author Series is an online presentation featuring an Iowa author sharing their personal story about their writing journey.

11/21/2020

Golden Hills RCD announces the Waubonsie State Park 2020-2021 artists in residence. Something to look forward to!

Waubonsie State Park Artists in Residence for the 2020-2021 Program Year.

10/21/2020

Did you know we're on Instagram? Check out our account for more photos from "Iowa State Parks: A Century of Stewardship."

https://www.instagram.com/iowaparksfoundation/

10/19/2020

We've been quiet for a while, but over the next few months be sure to watch for posts from around the state celebrating the Iowa State Parks centennial. The posts will feature content from "Iowa State Parks: A Century of Stewardship," a book celebrating all of Iowa's State Parks, State Recreation Areas, State Preserves, and State Forests. http://www.iaparks.org/__book/

04/27/2016

Check out some of these beautiful prints featuring parks on the May/June issue of Midwest Living. Thanks to Meredith Corp. for highlighting parks in the Midwest. http://www.bozzprints.com/blog/2016/4/26/midwest-living-magazine-cover

Recently, I had the opportunity to illustrate the cover for the May/June issue of Midwest Living. I'm a big fan of all things Midwest so it was a real honor to get my work on the front of such a cool magazine! I'm still kind of freaking out about it, but a huge thanks goes out to Meredith Publishing…

03/18/2016

This makes sense to us!

"A growing body of research shows that people who spend time outside in sunny, green and natural spaces tend to be happier and healthier than those who don’t. A study from Stanford last year, for example, found that young adults who walked for an hour through campus parkland were less anxious afterward and performed better on a test of working memory than if they had strolled along a busy street.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/03/17/the-picture-of-health/?mabReward=A3&action=click&pgtype=Homepage®ion=CColumn&module=Recommendation&src=rechp&WT.nav=RecEngine&_r=0

Being in nature helps reduce stress — but so might looking at photos with trees in them.