Visitors to the Iowa State Fair will have plenty of opportunities to learn about Iowa’s outdoors when they stop by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources building near the west entrance of the fairgrounds.
The DNR building will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. August 13 through August 23.
This year’s exhibits include new river and beaver dam displays, Iowa animal mounds and the hands-on Conservation Discovery Area. Visitors can also check out the new PBS KIDS Corner and the Get into Birding courtyard exhibit, which features winning artwork from the first annual Iowa Songbird Art Contest.
There will also be plenty of activities centered around trees and forestry.
Fairgoers can take part in the daily Tree-via trivia competition at 5 p.m. on the Courtyard Stage. Trivia will include questions about historic trees, forestry schools, notable people and Smokey Bear. The first-place winner will receive a seedling from the DNR State Forest Nursery.
Smokey Bear will also make special appearances at the DNR building on August 14, 18 and 21. Visitors will have opportunities to take photos with the longtime wildfire prevention mascot during morning and afternoon appearances.
The Courtyard Stage will also feature presentations on historic trees, caring for healthy shade trees, rehabilitating logged and storm-damaged forests and other forestry topics.
This year also marks Smokey Bear’s 82nd birthday. Smokey has been helping promote wildfire prevention since 1944, when the U.S. Forest Service began using the character to remind Americans about the importance of preventing wildfires.
The real Smokey Bear was a black bear cub rescued by firefighters following a wildfire in New Mexico in 1950. His story quickly gained national attention, and he became a lasting symbol of wildfire prevention.
The DNR will also have information available about the State Forest Nursery. The nursery’s online store opens September 1 for fall 2026 and spring 2027 seedling orders. Customers can have seedlings shipped or pick them up at the State Forest Nursery in Ames.
For more information about the DNR’s Iowa State Fair activities, including the Courtyard Stage schedule, visit the Iowa DNR website or contact the State Forest Nursery at 1-800-865-2477.
Source: Iowa Department of Natural Resources
