Stay in the Loop
About Us
Friends of Yellow River State Forest is made up of dedicated volunteers who protect and preserve treasured natural resources, raise funds and make improvements. We assist and support the DNR's mission, operations and programs at YRSF. We are a non-profit 501(c)3. All funds raised are invested back into Yellow River State Forest - to date we have reinvested more than $75,000!
Our board and dedicated volunteers have already put in hundreds of hours making YRSF a better place since we held our first public meeting in 2019.
A partial listing of accomplishments thus far:
Our board and dedicated volunteers have already put in hundreds of hours making YRSF a better place since we held our first public meeting in 2019.
A partial listing of accomplishments thus far:
- Spent $3500 to make YRSF Dark Sky Compliant - some of darkest skies in Upper Midwest we hope to preserve them for future generations working with the International Dark Sky Association
- The fire tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places
- Built an observation/ photo blind in wetland area on Donahue Road
- Purchased more than $4,000 worth of trees for campgrounds, helped to plant 100+ additional trees
- Battery operated lights in all latrines
- Ice and firewood sales to campers
- Purchased a utility trailer
- Purchased 120 new picnic tables
- Purchased all new horse hitching posts
- Programming for visitors and community members including outdoor cooking, photography, horse massage, youth scavenger hunts, shooting star watch party, fly fishing, bird ID, tree ID, fly tying, the History of Iowa's State Parks, a First Day Hike, snowshoe hikes, etc. Have an idea for programming? Let us know!
- Worked with local businesses to print brochures, print decals and t-shirts, and stayed local with our other purchasing as much as possible
- Eight fire rings for backpack camping areas
- 25,000+ new YRSF maps
- Purchased thousands of dollars of gravel and lime screenings for trail improvement, maintenance and repairs
- Started annual 5k, 10k and half marathon trail run Mother’s Day weekend, working with local volunteers and businesses - 2024 will be our 6th year!
- Paid half the costs of 10 youth campers to attend Iowa Wildlife Camp at YRSF this summer through University of Iowa
- Spring and fall volunteer days to pick up trash, paint what needs painting, etc.
- Events are posted on Facebook and on www.friendsofyellowriverstateforest.org
- Installed Barn owl boxes
