up to 35 lbs. with up to an 8 foot wingspan. Iowa's only native nesting swan. Historically nested throughout the state.

Mute swans are also present in the state. They are typically found on cemetery and city park ponds. They are an introduced species from Europe and can be a nuisance to trumpeters and other waterfowl. The DNR discourages the free flight of Mute Swans. Tundra (formerly whistling) swans migrate through Iowa but nest in the arctic.

The last historical wild nesting trumpeter swan occurred in 1883 on the Twin Lakes Wildlife Area, 9 miles northwest of Belmond, Hancock Co. Only 69 Trumpeter swan remained in the continental 48 states in 1933. Those were at the Red Rock Lakes NWR in Montanta, west of Yellowstone National Park.

Iowa's trumpeter swan restoration effort began in 1995 after obtaining approval from the Mississippi Flyway Technical Section.

Fundraising has been an integral part of the restoration effort. The DNR received over $150,000 as a memorial to David A. and Robert Luglan Sampson, outdoor enthusiasts, formerly of Webster City, IA.


Our initial goal is to have 15 free flying nesting pairs of trumpeters in Iowa by 2003 and to use the restoration effort to promote the many values of wetlands. Our slogan is "TRUMPETING THE CAUSE FOR WETLANDS".



Partnerships have been established with private individuals, corporations, business, organizations, County Conservation Boards, other DNR facilities and other entities. Some 55 flightless pairs have been located at some of these partnership sites. The young produced from these pairs will be allowed free flight.

We have obtained trumpeters from 25 different states to increase the genetic diversity of our swans. These include private propagators, zoos and other states involved with trumpeter swan restoration.

The DNR has released over 300, one and two year old trumpeters at over 3 dozen sites across the state.

All Iowa Swans are marked with plastic green or red neck collars with the letters F, J, H, P and two numbers. Corresponding plastic leg and FWS bands are also placed on Iowa DNR Trumpeter Swans.

The first modern day nesting pair was in 1998 at a Dubuque County farm pond near Epworth, IA. They also nested in 1999, 2000, and 2001.

The second nesting pair was in 2000 in Winnebago County at Thorpe Park Co. Conservation Wildlife Area near Forest City. She lost her mate last winter but has returned with presumably a new mate. They did not nest in 2001 but remained on site until fall.

Thus far in 2001 at least 9 wild nesting trumpeters are nesting and one or two additional swans may still nest. Known wild nesting swans are located in Dubuque, Clayton, Cerro Gordo, Kossuth, Clinton, Wright, and Greene Counties. Many more Iowa trumpeters are nesting in Southern Minnesota and Wisconsin expanding their breeding range several miles southward.

At least 6 "traditional" migrational/wintering sites are developing in Iowa, holding Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota swans providing the public with exciting viewing opportunities of free flying trumpeter swans.

Support for Iowa's Trumpeter Swan Restoration Program has been phenomenal. Consumptive and non-consumptive users have rallied behind the effort with a powerful passion to bring this charismatic mega fauna back to the landscape and skies of Iowa.

Organizational support includes: Iowa Wildlife Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Iowa Wild Turkey Federation, ISU Trumpeter Swan Committee Iowa Trapper's Association, Iowa Furharvesters, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Northern Iowa Prairie Lakes Audubon Chapters, Iowa Association of Naturalists, The Izaak Walton League, ISU Fisheries and Wildlife Biology, Fur harvesters, and Environmental Council Chapters, Iowa Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and several other entities.

Additional Trumpeter Swan information can be found on the following web sites: Iowa DNR @ http://www.stat.ia.us/wildlife and the ISU Trumpeter Swan committee @ http://www.stuorg.iastate.edu/state Trumpeter Swan Society home page @ http://www.taiga.net/swans From these pages there are other links to other swan web sites.


Becoming a Trumpeter Swan Restoration Partner

Becoming a Partner can occur in many ways:

1) Contributing to the Iowa Wildlife Federation's Trumpeter Swan Restoration Trust Fund. Any donations will be helpful. For $500 you can adopt a trumpeter swan and receive updates on this swan for at least 5 years.

2) You can help by fundraising and donating money to the Iowa Wildlife Federation's Trumpeter Swan Restoration Trust Fund.

3) Memorial donations, in memory of a loved one, are also appropriate and recognition at a swan release can be scheduled.

4) If you have a pond that is fenced, aerated, and you would be willing to feed an adult pair of swans; after DNR review of the site we would discuss the possibilities of hosting a pair. Corporate and individual pond owners are encouraged to consider the possibilities.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The demand for swans is much greater than the supply. Some trumpeter swan partners have evolved over a two year period.

Questions concerning Trumpeter Swans should be directed to either Ron Andrews or Dave Hoffman, Trumpeter Swan Restoration Coordinators, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 1203 North Shore Drive, Clear Lake, IA 50428, Office Phone: 641-357-3517 Email Address: Ron.Andrews@dnr.state.ia.us or David.Hoffman@dnr.state.ia.us