Conservation Currents

In This Issue

Strengthening the Farm Bill's Conservation Title

Farm in the fallThe League worked with a broad coalition of policy and advocacy groups to craft recommendations for members of Congress as they write the Conservation Title of the 2012 Farm Bill and seek ways to trim the federal deficit. The shared principles signal to Congress and the administration a clear course to achieve conservation goals in a challenging budget environment. The League is working with coalitions and stakeholders across the country to ensure the next Farm Bill sustains natural resources and a viable and healthy domestic food system.

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League Member a Hero of Conservation

Ron KuipersRockville (Maryland) Chapter member Ron Kuipers is one of six finalists for the 2011 Field & Stream Hero of Conservation award. This marks the second straight year that a League member has been one of the finalists for this prestigious national award. Ron is being recognized for leading efforts to restore the American chestnut by developing nurseries at the Rockville chapter and throughout Maryland.

The 2011 Hero of Conservation will be announced at a Field & Stream awards ceremony on Tuesday, October 11. To see a video highlighting Ron's work, read Bob Marshall's "The Conservationist" blog postings on the Field & Stream Web site.

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Final Report on Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Deepwater Horizon oil rigLast month, the U.S. Department of the Interior released its final report on the causes of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The drilling disaster in April 2010 killed 11 rig workers and spilled approximately 5 million barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The report, which covers a wide range of issues, reaffirms that BP, Transocean, Halliburton, and other contractors took actions and made decisions that contributed to the disaster. The report concludes that the loss of life and the spill "were the result of poor risk management, last-minute changes to plans, failure to observe and respond to critical indicators, inadequate well control response," and inadequate crew training.

On September 21, the U.S. Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works approved legislation that would allocate 80 percent of Clean Water Act fines and penalties associated with the spill to Gulf Coast recovery. Many conservation organizations, including the Izaak Walton League, support investing these penalties to restore the natural environment throughout the Gulf Coast.

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Survey Says Americans Strongly Support Hunting

Cover of NSSF hunting reportA survey conducted last month for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) found that three-quarters (74 percent) of all Americans approve of legal hunting. Other surveys dating back to 1995 have found equally high and consistent support for hunting. Moreover, regardless of whether they personally hunt or not, 94 percent of Americans believe it is appropriate for other people to hunt if they follow hunting laws and regulations.

These findings demonstrate the broad-based and enduring public support for hunting as a sport and an essential tool of science-based, wildlife management. For more details, read the NSSF press release. You can also access detailed survey results (PDF link) on the NSSF Web site.

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New IWLA Materials Connect Youth and Conservation

Young Ikes Activity book coverWorking to engage youth in your community? Our new Young Ikes materials are ideal for introducing youth to conservation issues.

Activity Books: Available in vibrant color with original illustrations – and printed on 100% recycled paper – these Young Ikes Activity Books are filled with games and puzzles designed to engage future conservation leaders. Activities for ages 6-8 and 9-11 were developed using age-appropriate language and concepts centered on the League's core conservation mission: Defending America's soil, air, woods, waters, and wildlife. You can view activity book PDFs and download an order form (PDF) on the Young Ikes Web page. (A discounted introductory offer is good through December 1st!)

One-Page Fun Sheets: For a quick look at conservation, Young Ikes Worksheets can help children understand the natural world around them and what they can do to protect it. Four worksheets were developed for kids 5 and younger and more for older age groups. Each black-and-white page was designed to print out easily from your home computer. Download these worksheets on the Young Ikes Web page.

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IWLA Officer Report Forms Due

Officer Report FormReminder to Chapter Leaders: Your 2011-2012 Officer Report Forms are due to the IWLA national office by October 31st. These forms are used to create the annual League directory and let us know who to contact for important League issues. You can find a copy of the Officer Report Form on the League's Chapter Tools Web page.

Fax your completed form to 301-548-0146, e-mail it to members@iwla.org, or mail it to:

IWLA, Membership Department
707 Conservation Lane
Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Your chapter's cooperation and participation is very much appreciated.

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Protect Outdoor America While You Work

Earthshare logo

Check CFC #10620 on your workplace giving form if you are a federal employee. Or look for EarthShare in your workplace giving campaign materials if you work for a private corporation or local government agency. It's one of the easiest ways to conserve outdoor America for the future generations!

For more information or to start a workplace campaign, contact develop@iwla.org.

Recycling for Charity

Have an old cell phone, camera, laptop, iPod, or other gadget you're no longer using? You can keep these electronics out of a landfill and help the League in the process!

The Izaak Walton League of America is now part of the Recycling for Charities program. For each wireless electronic item donated, Recycling for Charities will contribute a minimum of one dollar (more depending on the item) to the League.

The process is easy. Visit the Recycling for Charities Donation page and select "Izaak Walton League of America" in the charity drop-down box. Print out a shipping label and tax donation form, affix the label to a box, and mail in your donated electronics. Your product donation is tax deductible, so that can help offset your mailing costs.

Want to do more? Hold an electronics recycling drive at your chapter or a community gathering spot. Together, we can conserve the environment and further the important work of the Izaak Walton League.

Support the Izaak Walton League Tax-Free Through Your IRA

If you're an IRA owner age 70½ or older, here's a great opportunity to support the conservation programs you care about: Through the end of 2011, you can make tax-free distributions of up to $100,000 from an IRA to qualified charitable organizations like the League! Visit our Web site for details.

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Contact Information

If you have any questions about this newsletter or other IWLA programs, please contact:

Dawn Merritt
Communications Director
707 Conservation Lane
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
(301) 548-0150 ext. 220
dmerritt@iwla.org

Founded in 1922, the
Izaak Walton League of America protects America's outdoors through community-based conservation, education, and the promotion of outdoor recreation.


© 2011 The Izaak Walton League of America. All rights reserved. Visit us online at www.iwla.org.
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