AMES -- Last year, more than seven million trees and shrubs were planted on 12,700 acres in the state for conservation projects on private and public lands.

Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources hope the effort will continue this spring.

"The state forest nursery and several private Iowa nurseries offer an excellent selection of Iowa-grown conservation tree and shrub seedlings," said John Walkowiak, chief of the DNR's forestry bureau.

The state nursery in Ames has good supplies of white, red, bur and swamp white oak; black walnut; silver maple and 37 other species of conifers, hardwood trees and shrubs. The plants are offered as bare-root seedlings sprouting from seed collected locally. They range in size from 8 to 24 inches.

Prices are unchanged from last year, ranging from 25 cents for a conifer to 45 cents for a tall hardwood tree. Plants are sold in lots of 100 with a minimum order of 500.

Other options, though, are available.

Buyers can create a wildlife packet with 200 plants and up to four species for $90.

Other choices include a turkey packet designed in cooperation with the Iowa Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. That option contains 50 gray dogwoods, 50 bur, 50 pin and 50 white oaks.

A pheasant packet designed in cooperation with Pheasants Forever contains 50 red cedar, 50 wild plum, 50 ninebark and 50 gray dogwood.

A quail packet contains 100 wild plum and 100 gray dogwood.

The songbird packet, designed in cooperation with Iowa Audubon Society and contains two bur oak, two white pine, four wild plum, four chokecherry, four gray dogwood and four serviceberry. Cost is $20, which includes shipping.

To order from the State Forest Nursery, call (800) 865-2477. Hours are 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Or go online at www.iowadnr.gov/forestry.

For information, call Walkowiak at (515) 242-5966.