Forestry

The Iowa DNR works to help Iowans expand and care for the state's roughly 3 million acres of trees and forests. We use professionally trained foresters and natural resource technicians to provide forestry assistance to private landowners, to sustainably manage our state forests, to operate the State Forest Nursery at costs of production, and to protect, utilize and enhance the state's forest resources for today and tomorrow.

Forestry services include the State Forest Nursery, forest health, urban forestry, landowner assistance, fire management and prescribed fire, educational opportunities, Iowa's wood industry and logging and fall color reporting.

The State Forest Assessment and Resource Strategy, titled “Iowa’s Forests Today,” was completed in 2008 for the purpose of providing an in-depth analysis of the past, present, and future conditions of the state’s forest resources, as well as to offer analysis, identify historical trends and patterns, and make suggestions for improving management practices going forward.

The assessment was completed as a USDA Forest Service requirement for states applying for forestry-related federal funding.

Introduction (Pages 1-29) Chapter 1 (pp 30-75) Chapter 1 cont’d (pp 76-109) Chapters 2 & 3 (pp 110-166) Chapters 4-7 (pp 167-217) Chapters 8 & 9 (pp 218-264) Appendix (pp 265-329) For questions, comments, or more information, please contact Jeff Goerndt, Forestry Supervisor, at (515) 725-8452.

PLEASE NOTE:  Due to personnel and funding shortages, DNR staff are currently unable to check trees nominated for the Big Tree program; however, dedicated volunteers are checking nominations as they are able to do so.  To assist our volunteers, please consider donating to the program using the donation form provided below.  

The Big Tree program serves to recognize the largest trees in the state, to focus attention on trees in general, and to encourage friendly competition among Iowa participants.  For a list of Iowa’s current champion trees, and for information about nominating and measuring potential specimens, please see the following:

Big Tree Nomination Form

Big Tree Donation Form

Measuring Big Trees 

Listing of Iowa's Biggest Trees

Tub Grinder List
Contact: Emma Hanigan

Wood Utilization Info
Contact: Aron Flickinger

The DNR is responsible for managing Iowa's wildlife for all of Iowa's citizens. One of the DNR's responsibilities is to provide private landowners with the guidance and assistance they need to effectively deal with wildlife damage.

Find out more regarding wildlife damage identification and management.