Blog For Tag "public beaches"

  • Homegoing and the Blue Water Fest

    posted by Ingrid Gronstal on Friday, August 20, 2021 Water Program Director, Ingrid Gronstal, reflects on her panel appearance at the Okoboji Blue Water Fest and what clean water and outdoor recreation opportunities mean to the Iowa Great Lakes, its visitors, residents, and Iowans around the state.

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  • Are we really doing right by Iowa's land and water?

    posted by Megan McDowell on Friday, July 23, 2021 This summer Communications Support Assistant, Megan McDowell, visited state parks in Western Iowa. Her observations made her question if we can be doing better by our lakes, rivers, and wildlife in Iowa.

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  • Adding up the 2020 Beach Season

    posted by Alicia Vasto on Friday, September 11, 2020 As summer draws to a close, we're looking back at Weekly Water Watch 2020. Even with weeks full of unbelievable news, Iowa's waters still saw toxic algae blooms, E. coli contamination, drought, and high beach visitation across the state this year.

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  • When is it safe to get in the water?

    posted by Angelisa Belden on Friday, August 21, 2020 I spent a significant amount of money for a weekend getaway at an Iowa lake. Imagine my disappointment to find the water covered in green algae on day 2. Was it safe to swim? Who knows? Will I go back? That remains to be seen - and that's a danger for the local economy.

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  • Pandemic Highlights the Perennial Importance of Parks

    posted on Friday, July 31, 2020 Both the DNR and Polk County Conservation Board have reported a tremendous increase in park attendance, including increased beach and water recreation use since COVID-19 hit Iowa. However, before you throw on your swimsuit and goggles, know the risks of swimming prior to hitting the beach.

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  • Party Crashers: Invasive Species and Iowa Waters

    posted by Ingrid Gronstal on Friday, July 24, 2020 Invasive species are not only harmful to Iowa's water and environment by upsetting the natural balance of an ecosystem, they are costly to remove. Iowa water recreation is being impacted, as is our infrastructure.

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  • IEC: Let's improve the Invest in Iowa Act to benefit Iowa's natural resources and outdoor recreation

    posted by Ingrid Gronstal on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 With their votes in 2010, Iowans made it clear that they support a sales tax increase for a permanent, protected funding source to improve water quality, enhance outdoor recreation opportunities, preserve our natural areas, and support Iowa communities. This year's proposal to fund the Trust is exciting, but we've identified several areas for improvement.

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  • The Case for Iowa's Lakes

    posted by Alicia Vasto on Friday, September 6, 2019 It's time to put our money where our mouths – and our boats, fishing poles, and splash pads – are. Mandatory conservation practices to reduce pollution at the source, adequate funding for water quality monitoring and enforcement by the DNR, and significant progress with the Nutrient Reduction Strategy are just a few of the measures we are calling for to clean up and preserve Iowa's waters

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