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In This Issue
Farm Bill Budget Talks Stalled
The League is working to ensure national agriculture policy supports stewardship, prosperity, and fairness. As part of that effort, we are seeking basic conservation requirements for all recipients of taxpayer subsidies for agriculture programs – including crop insurance – and adequate conservation investments to continue wetland restoration and grassland protection programs, including a national Sodsaver provision. We will update you when the agriculture program recommendations are finalized and send out Action Alerts on critical issues that require League members and supporters to take action. Back to top
Favorable Review of Renewables
According to analysis by League staff, recent reports filed by Minnesota utilities show that for most utilities, acquiring renewable energy has had either minimal price impacts (less than one percent increase) or no impact on prices at all. Some utilities stated that they would have procured renewables regardless of the state requirements because renewables are simply the optimal choice for least-cost, least-risk portfolios. A few utilities modeled future impacts of the renewable electricity standard, looking at a portfolio with additional renewables versus one with no additional renewables, and found that a portfolio with renewable energy may be cheaper for the utility and its ratepayers in future years. Back to top
Creek Freaks Web Site Launch League members know that today's youth are not as connected with nature as previous generations. At school and at home, kids do not have the opportunity for free play and are spending less time outdoors. But these connections with the natural world are critical to a life-long commitment to conservation. Youth (and the adults working with them) can post photos and videos of "their" creeks to the Web site. Just as important, "Creek Freaks" can post their water quality ratings and track changes in data – and visitors can check out data for every creek in the Creek Freaks system. Which macroinvertebrates were found in the water (and what water quality rating do they add up to)? How high is the dissolved oxygen level? Are the stream banks eroded? You can find answers to these questions and more – and post your own – on the Creek Freaks Web site. The Creek Freaks project and Web site were developed by the League in partnership with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program and Coastal Program; and U.S. Forest Service. Back to top
Corps Seeks Comments on Missouri River Operating Plan
The draft includes plans to release the remainder of the floodwaters stored from this year's historic flood event and return the Mainstem Reservoir System to the base of its annual flood control pool prior to the start of the 2012 runoff season. The Corps plans to continue releasing stored floodwaters before next spring to prepare the system to capture runoff from melting plain and mountain snow next year. You can use sample comments on the League's online Advocacy Center or e-mail your own comments to Missouri.Water.Management@nwd02.usace.army.mil. Comments are due to the Corps of Engineers by November 25. Back to top
Healthy Kids Outdoors Act Introduced in Congress
The legislation supports partnerships between state and local governments and nonprofits such as Izaak Walton League chapters to connect children and their families with a wide range of outdoor activities and places, from city parks to League chapters. You can read more about the bill on the League Web site. Back to top
The World at 7 Billion
To decrease the likelihood that this growth trajectory will be catastrophic to our natural resources, leaders around the world are focusing renewed attention on addressing the environmental and social impacts of population growth. As our numbers grow in the years ahead, there is still much that must be done to ensure that we can live together equitably on a healthy planet. To learn more about the impact of 7 billion people, read "Seven Ways Seven Billion Affect the Planet" by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Back to top
IWLA Officer Report Forms Due
You can download the Officer Report Form from the League's Chapter Tools Web page or e-mail members@iwla.org to request a copy. Thank you for your help. |
Protect Outdoor America While You Work 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. SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER Place your order by December 1st and get 50 extra activity books FREE! 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. Take Action Not a Member? To join the Izaak Walton League, click here. Get Conservation Currents Today Sign up to receive Conservation Currents directly from the Izaak Walton League and you'll also receive other timely conservation news and action alerts. Sign up today! We are proud of our rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy. Follow the Izaak Walton League on Contact Information If you have any questions about this newsletter or other IWLA programs, please contact: Founded in 1922, the |
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