DNR Building a Popular Stop at the Iowa State Fair

Located at the west end of the State Fair Grand Concourse, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources historic aquarium, pavilion and courtyard is a must-see for thousands of fair-goers each year.

Built in 1921, the wrap-around aquarium is the focal point of the pavilion, filled with Iowa fish of all shapes, sizes and species. Throughout the building, park rangers, conservation officers, environmental specialists, biologists and other staffers are on hand to field visitors’ questions and maybe ask a few too.

Visitors of all ages can test their knowledge of state parks’ trivia or challenge other visitors to a game of environmental Jeopardy. Fair-goers can also test their skills at the new air rifle range, or maybe spot a cougar, bobcat or wolf mount, or full-size replica of an eagle’s nest. Licenses and Iowa Outdoors magazine subscriptions are on sale, too.

On the west side of the pavilion are gates designed and created by sculptor David Williamson and past fair visitors, using metal trash collected from Iowa’s annual river clean-up, Project AWARE.  The gates lead to the DNR’s courtyard, a relaxing oasis complete with a pond of waterfowl and turtles, a prairie, a stream, the world’s largest birdhouse, a water bottle filling station, picnic tables, benches and plenty of shade. 

The mobile education exhibits along the north courtyard fence helps visitors learn how to make simple, everyday changes to help protect and improve the environment.

Three to five presentations are made daily on the courtyard stage including cooking demonstrations and live animal talk. And each Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the Fair will be dedicated to special theme days in the courtyard. For a list of courtyard theme days and daily stage presentations visit www.iowadnr.gov/fair 

The DNR’s pavilion and aquarium are open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, throughout the fair.

-30-

Fishing Friday at the Iowa State Fair!

When: August 8, 2014

Time: 10:00AM to 6:00PM

Where: Iowa Department of Natural Resources Building Courtyard

at the Iowa State Fair Grounds

Join us for Fishing Friday at the Iowa State Fair! Friday August 8th join the IDNR Aquatic Education Program, IDNR Fisheries biologists and staff, and several Fish Iowa! school groups for a fun-filled fishing Friday!

Activities will include:

·         Fish cleaning and cooking demonstration – try a sample of Iowa fish!

·         Pop can casting – try your hand at pop can casting for accuracy.

·         Velcro fishing – catch a bluegill, bass, or catfish in our kids “pond”.

·         Rubber stamp art – create an ecosystem picture using fish and animal stamps featuring animals found in Iowa.

·         Fish coloring pages – create a masterpiece when you color your favorite fish.

·         Fish printing – Create fish prints on paper.

Explore Bowhunting!

You Are Invited

What: Explore Bowhunting Workshop

When: July 28, 2014 10:00AM – 3:00PM

Where: Raccoon River Park Nature Lodge (West Des Moines, IA)

Why: You are an influence to youth!

RSVP: July 24, 2014

The Iowa DNR has partnered with Archery Trade Association to

start a brand new program called Explore Bowhunting. Explore

Bowhunting is an outdoor conservation education program

focusing on interactions with people and wildlife.

The curriculum is designed to teach students to feel comfortable

in the outdoors whether they are interested in bowhunting,

wildlife photography, or interact with nature. After going through

the training you will be able to access loaner equipment filled

with $1800 of outdoor gear.

As an added bonus, this workshop will include lunch and is FREE!

For more Information and to register for

the workshop contact:

Donise Petersen at

Donise.Petersen@dnr.iowa.gov

515-205-8709

Nature Photography for Kids

Create Your Own Fishing Field Guide

Kids love cameras and kids love nature. Combine the two and you have with a wonderful project to fill your summer days.  We are going to create our own fishing field guides using nature photography. The next time you go fishing give children a camera to photograph the trip.

Allow children to be the lead on this project and follow their own interests. Do you have a child who is interested in each fish species? Help them create a fish species field guide. Other ideas are water birds, aquatic plants, aquatic insects, pond or lake biodiversity, or even clouds and weather. Inventory and photograph the subjects you have chosen. Bring a notebook with you and have children record their observations of what they have photographed.

When children are done taking pictures download them to your computer. Go through the photographs with your children and let them decide which photos to include in their field guide.

With your children identify each subject that you are going to include in your backyard field guide. If you do not have field guides they can be checked out from your local library. There are also many on-line field guide resources.  Allow children time to look through field guides to get an idea of what they look like, and what information is included in each. Decide what information you are going to include in your backyard field guide.

Create your field guides by printing pictures and descriptions and creating a journal. An old notebook or photo album will work. You could also create a photobook through a website such as Snapfish and have an actual book created and mailed to you. You now have a field guide for your own backyard!

Want to expand your field guide? Create a nature field guide for your backyard, your favorite camping site, local park, or even the nature on a vacation trip!

Camera Basics

Teach children the basics of operating a digital camera. Start with the basics and expand from there. For younger children keep it simple. Older children who have experience with cameras may be interested in learning more about shutter speeds, and lighting.

There are several kinds of children’s cameras available; however, they generally do not take quality photos. You can get a cheap “adult” camera that will take better photos for the same price. Base your decision on the age of the children and how much “rough and tumble” action the camera will see - kid’s cameras are built to withstand drops, and rougher handling. You can also allow children to use your camera with supervision or purchase disposable cameras for each child.

More Fun Nature Photography Ideas for Kids

Photography scavenger hunts: alphabet, botany, textures, shapes

Themed photography walks: butterflies, beetles, birds, trees, wildflowers

Personal photo book: allow each child to review their pictures and print off or create a personal photobook of their favorites

Nature Journal: Add your nature photos to your nature journal

Books

Castella, K., and B. Boyl. 2006. Discovering Nature's Alphabet. Heyday Books.

Criswell, S. G., et al. 1996. Nature Through Science and Art. McGraw-Hill Companies.

Hass, R. and P. Michael. 2008. River of Words: Young Poets and Artists on the Nature of Things. Milkweed Editions.

Lepp, G., and K. V. Lepp. 2010. Wildlife Photography: Stories from the Field. Lark Books NC.

Sweet, T. 2010. Fine Art Nature Photography: Advanced Techniques and the Creative Process. Stackpole Books.

Links

11 Simple Tips for Kids: Nature Photography

http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/National-Wildlife/PhotoZone/Archives/2010/Kids-photo-tips.aspx

National Geographic Kids: Photography Tips for Kids

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/activities/moreactivities/photography101/

Nature Mom: Kids ‘n Cameras: Five Tips for Introducing Children to Photography

http://anaturemom.com/2012/07/01/kids-n-cameras-five-tips-for-introducing-photography-to-children/