The owners of an alpaca farm in Madison County are worried that a potential shooting range could disrupt their idyllic farmland.

State of play: Owners of Black Flag Arsenal, a Waukee gun shop, applied to build a private shooting range south of the farm, called The Vanguard, which goes up for a public hearing next week.

• Aron and Kari Shultz have run Rusty Stars Alpacas in Madison County for years, offering free weekend visits to thousands of people year-round.

Zoom in: The range would be built on a 128-acre parcel currently zoned for agriculture in the 2000 block of Rustic Lane. It would operate daily from 8am to sundown, with occasional evening sessions for night-vision classes and training, per the application.

• Per Black Flag's Facebook post, they plan on building multiple outdoor rifle and pistol training bays, law enforcement-only bays, a 1,000-yard long-range shooting area, classroom spaces and a clubhouse.

What they're saying: Aron Shultz says the farm's 30-plus alpacas would adjust to the noise. His real concern is for his family and the weekend visitors who seek the quieter countryside.

• "It would be different if we moved there and there was a shooting range," Aron Shultz tells Axios. "But when it's moving in, we didn't get the choice."

The other side: A co-owner of Black Flag Arsenal did not respond to a request for comment yesterday afternoon.

• But in a Facebook post last night, the shop shared that it is already experiencing "organized resistance from anti-gun groups" that plan on opposing the project and urged its supporters to attend the zoning meeting.
• "Our goal is simple: build something Iowa shooters can be proud of — a facility centered on safety, professionalism, and education," per the post.

Shultz says he isn't against guns or a law enforcement training facility, but he said no one reached out to discuss the project before they received the meeting notice.

• "Even the most supportive person, most likely would not be happy about it being in their backyard," he says.

Zoom out: In Warren County near New Virginia, some residents also opposed a gun club moving in and sued the Warren County Board of Supervisors, saying they were not properly notified of the proposal, per the Indianola Independent Advocate.

What's next: The Madison County Zoning Commission will consider the request during its March 19 meeting at 6:30pm.

Staffing shortages and decades of reduced government funding have contributed to Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge downsizing its visitor center, following a severe storm that heavily damaged it, refuge manager Scott Gilje tells Axios.

The big picture: The central Iowa facility is the largest U.S. Fish and Wildlife visitor center in the Midwest region, but has only three staff members working out of the office.

• Gilje said the storm damage was "a prime time to rethink" the building's size and operational costs.

Zoom in: The redesign will eliminate the classroom and lab space, which had been used by volunteers and students who hand-harvested prairie seeds.

• The refuge plans to partner with conservation organizations to handle seed processing going forward.

As for a timeline, Gilje says he expects a contract to be awarded this fall, with construction beginning in early 2027 and the center reopening sometime in 2028.

What's next: The refuge wants to continue offering educational programming and is holding an open house today and tomorrow for input on the programs.

• Noon to 2pm Friday and 10am to noon Saturday.

Drake University's most wrinkly tradition is back.

What's happening: The school unveiled the 24 dogs competing in the 47th Annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest, the furry kickoff to Drake Relays week.

Zoom in: The pup-testants were selected by lottery from 117 entries across 13 states.

• They'll strut the runway, perform tricks and show off their best wrinkles on April 19 at the Knapp Center.

1 bittersweet note to go: It's the final contest for retiring mascot Griff II before a new bulldog takes over.

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Friday

🛍️ Arts & Crafts Show | Iowa State Fairgrounds | Friday, 3-8pm; Sat 9am–5pm; Sun 10am–4pm | Admission: $7 adults, kids 12 and under free

🦖 Jurassic Quest | Walk among life-size dinosaurs, ride animatronic dinos and dig for fossils | Iowa Events Center | Friday 9am-8pm; Sat 8am–6pm; Sun 9am–5pm | Tickets start at $30

🥾 Spring Break Discovery Hike | Jester Park Nature Center | 9:30am | Free!

• Fort DSM Park, shelter #3 | 1pm | Free!

Saturday

🏃 Des Moines St. Paddy's 5K | Iowa Capitol | Races start at 8am | Registration: $60+

🎨 Social Saturday: Entirely Kids | Activities and free pie for Pi Day | DSM Art Center | 11am-2pm | Free!

Sunday

🌿 Botanical Blues | Live music | Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden | Noon–4pm | Included with admission ($12 adults)

Des Moines recently unveiled three specially designed cardboard dumpsters for residential use.

Why it matters: Extra cardboard from furniture boxes or online orders can overload curbside recycling carts.

⛔️ Friction point: Neighborhood collection crews may reject lids that do not fully close due to safety and efficiency concerns.

• They can also confiscate a homeowner's recycling bin for ongoing abusive behavior.

How it works: The new dumpsters feature closed tops and front slots to encourage users to only place flattened cardboard inside.

• They are in parking lots at the East Side, South Side and Franklin Avenue libraries.

What's next: DSM Public Works' drop-off site, 110 SE 6th St, will soon replace its current blue dumpsters with slotted ones, Youssef Ghazali, a city spokesperson, tells Axios.