• Indiana: Peru, IN (Miami Chapter)
• South Dakota/Nebraska: McCook Lake, SD (McCook Lake Chapter)

Your Help Needed to Save America's Last Grasslands

Momentum is building in the U.S. House of Representatives to enact Sodsaver legislation – a common-sense plan to conserve America's native grasslands and save taxpayers money. We need your help to ensure the House of Representatives acts on this bill. Please contact your U.S. Representative today and urge him or her to co-sponsor the Protect Our Prairies Act (HR 686), which contains the Sodsaver legislation.

A fraction of our country's native grasslands remain today. Although these lands have very limited value for commodity crop production, they have significant environmental and habitat values. These lands support the ranching economy, provide essential habitat for at least 50 percent of the waterfowl in North America, and dramatically reduce soil erosion and nutrient runoff. Unfortunately, current farm policy is actually a disincentive to conservation.

The Protect Our Prairies Act (HR 686) will dramatically reduce crop insurance premium and other subsidies on lands converted from native grassland to crop production. Producers can still decide to plow under native prairie – but they will forfeit the right to significant taxpayer-supported subsidies if they make that choice. It's common-sense conservation that could also save taxpayers as much as $200 million over 10 years.

Back to top

League Hires New Energy Director

In February, the League welcomed Bill Droessler as director of our energy program. Droessler will lead the League's work on energy policy and education initiatives at the state, regional, and national levels. "Bill brings a wealth of clean air and energy policy and partnership-building experience to this position and the League," says Scott Kovarovics, IWLA Executive Director. "We're excited to have him join our team."

Droessler holds a bachelor's degree in Government and History from Beloit College and a law degree from the Environment and Energy Law Program at Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology. Read more about Bill Droessler in our press release, and please join us in welcoming him to the League.

Back to top

Virginia Save Our Streams Results

Citizens in every state have the right to know whether or not their streams are safe for swimming, fishing, playing, and drinking. Through the League's Virginia Save Our Streams program (VA SOS), volunteers monitor water quality across the state and educate the public about how their actions affect the waters in their communities.

In 2012, VA SOS volunteers monitored 124 stream sites. Over the course of the year, they took samples during 305 monitoring events. Approximately 42 percent of the samples indicated unacceptable water quality and another 12 percent required further investigation. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) relies on volunteers to provide the most accurate picture of how clean streams are across the state and uses this data in its report to Congress on water quality. In fact, VA SOS volunteers will supply 12 percent of the data DEQ will include in its 2013 report on water quality. Data also are used locally by volunteers to identify pollution problems and evaluate the success of stream restoration projects.

To become a VA SOS volunteer monitor, visit the Virginia Save Our Streams Web site.

Back to top

Last Call for Scholarship Applications

Do you know a college student studying conservation or an environment-related major? The Izaak Walton League offers two $2,500 scholarships each year for qualified college juniors or seniors. Specific requirements are available on the League Web site. Applications are due April 1, 2013.

For more information about the application criteria and process, e-mail Earl Hower, IWLA Director of Chapter Relations, at ehower@iwla.org or call (800) IKE-LINE x216.

These scholarships are made possible through the generous support of the Izaak Walton League of America Endowment.

Back to top