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Dec 20, 2012 Izaak Walton League Names Scott Kovarovics as Executive Director (12/20/12) The Izaak Walton League of America, one of the nation’s oldest and most successful conservation organizations, named Scott Kovarovics as Executive Director this week. Kovarovics brings more than 20 years of managerial and advocacy experience to the position as well as a passion for defending outdoor America for future generations.
Aug 17, 2012 Izaak Walton League Hires Bill Wenzel to Lead Agriculture Program (8/17/12) The Izaak Walton League of America announced today that it has hired Bill Wenzel as the organization’s new Agriculture Program Director. Wenzel will lead the League’s work on the federal Farm Bill and sustainable agriculture policies at the national, regional, and state levels.
Aug 16, 2012 Izaak Walton League Board Names Acting Executive Director (8/16/12) The Izaak Walton League of America’s Executive Board announced this week that it has named Scott Kovarovics Acting Executive Director. Kovarovics’ responsibilities will span the wide range of issues in which the League is involved, from overseeing the organization’s $3.5 million budget to directing conservation work and member services.
Jun 28, 2012 House Interior Appropriations Bill Slashes Conservation Funding (6/28/12) The House Appropriations Committee voted for an Interior Appropriations bill that slashes funding for conservation and continues a month-long assault on Clean Water Act protections for healthy wetlands, clean streams, and drinking water for 117 million Americans.
Jun 20, 2012 Congress Continues to Undermine Clean Water, Healthy Wetlands (6/20/12) Both chambers in Congress have taken aim at the Clean Water Act with a flurry of amendments that undermine hunting, angling, and outdoor recreation traditions along with the economic activity driven by these sports.
Jun 5, 2012 Izaak Walton League Calls For Three Conservation Priorities in 2012 Farm Bill (6/5/12) In a report released today, "The 2012 Farm Bill: Stewardship, Prosperity, and Fairness," the Izaak Walton League identifies top priorities that will help keep America’s lakes and rivers clean, save soil for future food production, conserve habitat for fish and wildlife, and ensure national farm policy is fiscally responsible.
Jun 1, 2012 House of Representatives Rejects Clean Water Protections (6/1/12) The U.S. House of Representatives today struck a blow against Clean Water Act protections for streams that supply drinking water to 117 million Americans and wetlands that provide critical flood protection and fish and wildlife habitat. The full House rejected an amendment to allow the Army Corps of Engineers to proceed with Clean Water Act guidance and a future rulemaking.
Apr 25, 2012 As Americans Mark the 40th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act, U.S. House of Representatives Takes Another Step Backward As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act and grapple with remaining water pollution problems, some in Congress would turn back the clock, putting drinking water, essential habitat for fish and wildlife, and the outdoor recreation economy at risk. Members of Congress should stop throwing up roadblocks to progress.
Feb 13, 2012 Iowa Congressional Members to Address Farm Bill at Feb. 23 Forum Des Moines, Iowa – Iowa’s conservation and agricultural leaders will join together here on February 23 to discuss how the 2012 U.S. Farm Bill can better conserve the state’s land, water and rural communities.
Jan 31, 2012 The state of our waters: Time is running out to restore national wetland and (1/31/12) The Obama administration is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act (CWA) with events across the country this year. But the Act’s 40th anniversary will be a bittersweet one absent action by the administration to restore Clean Water Act protections that once helped stem the loss of wetlands and maintain clean water.
Dec 21, 2011 EPA Mercury Rule Protects Health of Vulnerable Americans, Fish and Wildlife (12/21/11) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today issued requirements to control mercury and other toxic air emissions from coal- and oil-fired power plants – the largest unregulated industrial sources of hazardous air pollution in the United States. The new rules are the culmination of 10 years of work by the Izaak Walton League of America and partner groups to ensure EPA meets its obligations under the Clean Air Act to safeguard the health of all Americans and our natural resources.
Nov 15, 2011 Sportsmen Criticize Senate Measure Weakening Clean Water Act (Nov 15, 2011) As the U.S. Senate debates the budget for the Army Corps of Engineers this week, prominent sportsman-conservation groups roundly criticized an amendment that would defund the administration’s work on Clean Water Act guidance that is crucial to sustaining wetlands and waterways.
Nov 3, 2011 Healthy Kids Outdoors Act Supports Strategies to Connect Kids with Nature (11/3/11) Congressman Ron Kind (WI) and Senator Mark Udall (CO) introduced the Healthy Kids Outdoors Act today to support state, local and federal strategies to connect youth and families with the natural world, improve children’s health and support future economic growth and conservation efforts. This legislation will help get Americans active outdoors through natural play; outdoor recreation such as camping, hiking, hunting and fishing; public health initiatives; outdoor learning environments; service learning and other initiatives.
Oct 27, 2011 2012 Duck Stamp Announcement Highlights Value of Wetland Conservation (10/27/11) This weekend’s selection of the 2012 Federal Duck Stamp art contest winner – whose work will appear on stamps purchased by every duck hunter in America – puts a spotlight on the nation’s troubled wetland ecosystems. The Izaak Walton League, National Wildlife Federation, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and Trout Unlimited support restoring Clean Water Act protections for wetlands and other waters that are critical to fish and wildlife populations and our outdoor traditions.
Oct 25, 2011 No Cost Ag Rule Sought in Recs to Super Committee (10/25/11) The Izaak Walton League of America today urged decision makers to include a no-cost “Conservation Compliance” stipulation in recommendations to the Super Committee to protect America’s farmland, water and wildlife.
Sep 28, 2011 56 Groups Urge Budget Cutters to Protect Agricultural Conservation (9/28/11) A national coalition of 56 policy and advocacy organizations – including the Izaak Walton League of America – is urging Congress to preserve funding for essential U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation programs and take additional steps to enhance soil, water quality and wildlife on agricultural land. The coalition outlined a set of key principles that lawmakers should observe as they write the Conservation Title of the 2012 Farm Bill and seek ways to trim the federal deficit.
Jul 25, 2011 More Than 250 Sportsmen and Conservation Groups Speak Out for Clean Water (7/25/11) Today, more than 250 hunter, angler, and conservation groups from 28 states voiced their support for protecting the health of America’s water resources. In a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers, the groups stated that they strongly support the agencies’ efforts to clarify which “waters of the United States” are protected by the Clean Water Act.
Jul 14, 2011 House approves bill to undercut the Clean Water Act (7/14/11) The U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve sweeping, harmful changes to the nation’s bedrock water-quality protecting law, the Clean Water Act.
Jul 12, 2011 House of Representatives Strikes Double Blow Against Clean Water Protections (7/12/11) The U.S. House of Representatives today struck a double blow against efforts to restore Clean Water Act protections for streams that supply drinking water to 117 million Americans and wetlands that provide flood protection and critical fish and wildlife habitat.
Jun 22, 2011 Sportsmen Condemn House Attempt to Weaken Clean Water Act (6/22/11) American sportsmen today strongly criticized the House Transportation Committee for hastily passing legislation that would dramatically weaken the Clean Water Act and undercut four decades of progress in restoring the nation’s waters and wetlands and conserving valuable fish and wildlife habitat.
Jun 15, 2011 House Committee Blocks Clean Water Protections (6/15/11) The House Appropriations Committee today blocked efforts to restore Clean Water Act protections for streams that supply drinking water to 117 million Americans and wetlands that provide flood protection and critical fish and wildlife habitat.
May 26, 2011 Sportsmen Announce New Alliance to Protect Sporting Tradition in Marcellus Shale Region (5/26/11) As Marcellus Shale gas development increases at a rapid pace and scale across northern Appalachia, sportsmen and women in the region have joined forces and created an alliance to urge state and federal agencies and the energy industry to protect long-held hunting, fishing and trapping traditions.
May 12, 2011 Budget Cuts Threaten Refuges and the Communities That Depend On Them (5/12/11) A report by the Cooperative Alliance for Refuge Enhancement (CARE) warns that unless Congress provides adequate funding for the National Wildlife Refuge System, the economic benefits refuges provide, along with the lands, waters, wildlife, and recreation and education opportunities that refuges were established to protect, could be in jeopardy.
Apr 27, 2011 National Hunting, Angling Groups Applaud Release of Clean Water Guidance (4/27/11) The nation’s top sportsmen’s organizations, including the Izaak Walton League of America, applaud the Obama administration for taking an important step to begin restoring Clean Water Act protections to streams and wetlands. These waters provide critical habitat to fish and wildlife, flood control, drinking water and many other benefits.
Mar 16, 2011 EPA Moves To Protect Americans from Hazardous Emissions: Power Plant Emission Regulations a Decade Overdue (3/16/11) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed requirements to control toxic air emissions from coal- and oil-fired power plants – the largest unregulated industrial sources of hazardous air pollution in the United States. The Izaak Walton League of America applauds this critical step to protect the health of American citizens and safeguard our natural resources and fish and wildlife.
Feb 16, 2011 America’s Great Outdoors Initiative Reconnects Children, Youth and Families with Nature (Feb 16, 2011) The Izaak Walton League and the Outdoors Alliance for Kids commend President Obama for highlighting the importance of reconnecting children, youth and families with nature in the "America’s Great Outdoors" report released today.
Nov 18, 2010 Moving Outdoors in Nature Act Will Support Strategies to Connect Kids with Nature (Nov 18, 2010) Congressman Ron Kind (D–WI) introduced the Moving Outdoors in Nature Act (HR 6426) in the U.S. House of Representatives to support federal, state, and local strategies that connect children with the natural world. The Izaak Walton League actively supported introduction of this bill as part of the Outdoors Alliance for Kids.
Sep 29, 2010 League Member Les Monostory a National Finalist for Field & Stream's Heroes of Conservation (9/29/10) League member Les Monostory (Fayetteville, New York), who founded the League's Central New York Chapter and helped create Project Watershed, is one of six national finalists for the "Field & Stream" Heroes of Conservation Award. Monostory will be honored on October 6 when "Field & Stream" hosts its fifth annual Heroes of Conservation Awards gala in Washington, D.C.
Sep 17, 2010 Izaak Walton League Joins 2010 National Hunting and Fishing Day Sponsors (9/17/10) One of the nation's oldest and most respected conservation organizations, the Izaak Walton League of America, is an official sponsor of this...
Jul 27, 2010 Sportsmen Resolve To Halt Hydrofracking Until Water Quality and Public Health Concerns Are Addressed (7/27/10) Members of the Izaak Walton League recently passed a national resolution calling for a moratorium on issuance of permits for drilling new, high-volume hydrofracking wells until concerns about public health and water quality are adequately addressed.
Jun 24, 2010 Asian Carp Found Near Great Lakes; Izaak Walton League Calls for Temporary Lock Closure (6/24/10) A bighead carp was found in Lake Calumet yesterday by commercial fishermen performing routine sampling for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Great Lakes advocates – including the Izaak Walton League – are renewing calls to close the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal until effective measures are in place to prevent carp from entering the Great Lakes.
Jun 21, 2010 Conservation and Watchdog Groups Oppose Barge Industry's Plan To Shift Costs to Taxpayers (6/21/10) The inland waterways navigation system – the locks and dams constructed on several of the country’s major rivers – is the most publically subsidized commercial transportation system in the United States, receiving about 90 percent of its funding from taxpayers. The barge industry has proposed an increase in the public’s contribution, which the Izaak Walton League and partner organizations oppose.
Jun 1, 2010 Outdoors Alliance for Kids Established to Connect Children and Families with the Great Outdoors (6/1/10) The League helped launch a national strategic partnership called the Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK), developed to address the growing divide between children and families and the natural world.
Apr 21, 2010 Sportsmen Commend Introduction of House Clean Water Bill (4/21/10) The nation’s leading sportsmen-conservation groups commended the introduction of legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would restore critical Clean Water Act protections for streams, lakes, wetlands and other important waters.
Mar 23, 2010 90,000 Americans Call for Wetlands Conservation (3/23/10) In a resounding vote for conservation of the nation’s natural resources, more than 90,000 Americans have signed a petition supporting restoration of federal protections for wetlands and clean water and affirming the crucial role wetland ecosystems play in our lives.
Mar 22, 2010 Beyond Seasons' End: Consequences of Climate Change (3/22/10) The Izaak Walton League and partner conservation groups released a report addressing the impact of climate change on fish and wildlife and promising approaches to mitigate that impact.
Feb 23, 2010 Conservation and Policy Groups Call for a Halt on Construction of New Upper Mississippi River Locks (2/23/10) Nicollet Island Coalition members, including the League, call on Congress to de-authorize new lock construction and fully fund Mississippi River restoration and navigation system operation and maintenance.
Jan 4, 2010 Conservation Groups Oppose Superior National Forest ORV Plan (1/4/10) Conservation groups asked the U.S. Forest Service to rewrite a road-use plan that endangers wild lands and wildlife in Minnesota’s Superior National Forest and beyond.
Dec 8, 2009 Launch of America's Great Water Coalition (12/8/09) The League helps launch a national alliance to preserve, protect, and restore America's great waters.
Dec 3, 2009 Minnesota Rate Case Decision Protects Consumers and the Environment (12/3/09) A decision by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission provides incentives for CenterPoint Energy and its customers to conserve energy.
Nov 6, 2009 Coal-Fired Power Plant Defeated: League Achieves Victory for the Environment (11/6/09) The League and its allies achieved a significant victory this week when a plans to construct a new coal-fired power plant in South Dakota were scrapped.
Nov 3, 2009 League and Other Clean Energy Advocates Tour Energy-Efficient Factory (11/3/09) Upgrades Underscore Critical Role of Energy Efficiency in Growing Minnesota Businesses
Oct 28, 2009 Business Leaders, Legislators and Clean Energy Advocates Hold Factory Tour (10/28/09) AmeriStar Manufacturing and The Retrofit Companies discuss vast potential for energy efficiency business development in Minnesota.
Oct 23, 2009 EPA To Issue Strict Rules for U.S. Power Plant Air Toxics Deadline of November 2011 for EPA Rules to Cut Power Plant Toxic Air Pollution Emissions FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 23, 2009...
Oct 15, 2009 League and other sportmen's groups tell Congress: Clean water critical as hunting seasons open across the country (10/15/09) As the U.S. House of Representatives investigated enforcement efforts under the Clean Water Act, the League and other sportsmen's groups reiterated the need to protect waters that may lose protection under the Act.
Oct 15, 2009 EPA Ties Clean Water Enforcement Challenges Directly to Supreme Court Cases and Calls for Legislative Solution (10/15/09) The Izaak Walton League calls for Congressional action after EPA states that two recent Supreme Court decisions have "negatively impacted EPA's ability to enforce" the Clean Water Act.
Oct 6, 2009 Drinking water at risk: Congress must restore Clean Water Act protections (10/6/09) The League and othe sportsmen's groups call for Congress to resore Clean Water Act protection to small streams that supply drinking water to 117 million Americans. (SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE)
Sep 15, 2009 League and dozens of chapters join call for investment in fish, wildlife, and habitat protection (9/15/09) As the U.S. Senate prepares to consider comprehensive climate and energy legislation this fall, more than 600 national, regional, and grassroots groups -- including the League and more than 30 of our chapters, divisions, and committees -- are urging Senators to use climate legislation to invest in habitat conservation and the long-term health of fish and wildlife.
Sep 9, 2009 Statement on the Transition of Senate Agriculture Committee Chair (9/9/09) IWLA statement regarding Sen. Tom Harkin (IA) stepping down from the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and Sen. Blanche Lincoln (AR) assuming the chair.
Jun 26, 2009 League and other Sportsmen’s Groups Applaud Passage of Climate Legislation (6/26/09) The Izaak Walton League joined other groups representing hunters, anglers and Americans who enjoy the outdoors in commending the U.S. House of Representatives for passing comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation. In addition to reducing emissions of climate warming pollution, this legislation invests funds to conserve and protect fish and wildlife, habitat and other natural resources in the face of a changing climate.
Jun 18, 2009 Senate Committee Passes Clean Water Legislation (6/18/09) The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed an amended version of the Clean Water Restoration Act. The bill as approved reaffirms the original intent of the Clean Water Act to broadly protect water quality and the streams, lakes and wetlands important to our country.
May 28, 2009 Administration Takes Action to Safeguard Roadless Areas (5/28/09) Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack took important action to safeguard tens of millions of acres of undeveloped roadless areas in America’s National Forests.
May 22, 2009 League Applauds Administration Support for Clean Water Legislation (5/22/09) The League and other national organizations representing hunters, anglers, and conservationists applauded the Administration for offering clear support for legislation to restore traditional Clean Water Act protections to stream, lakes, and wetlands.
May 15, 2009 House Climate Natl Resources Funding Allocation (5/15/09) Comprehensive energy and climate legislation introduced today in the House Energy and Commerce Committee includes dedicated funding to safeguard wildlife and natural resources impacted by global warming.
Apr 22, 2009 Senator Klobuchar Holds Key to National Clean Water Legislation (4/22/09) A coalition of leading sportsmen’s and conservation groups from across Minnesota today urged U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar to continue her leadership on conservation issues by supporting critical clean water legislation that will protect drinking water for nearly one million Minnesotans and the streams, lakes and wetlands essential to the State’s heritage and economic health.
Apr 2, 2009 Coalition Calls for Restored Clean Water Protections (4/2/09) A coalition of hunting, fishing and conservation organizations today applauded the introduction of the Clean Water Restoration Act and the members of Congress focused on finding a lasting legislative solution to our national clean water and wetlands protection crisis.
May 20, 2008 IWLA Sees Wins and Losses in New Farm Bill (5/20/08) For Immediate Release May 20, 2008 Contact : Brad Redlin, (651) 270-0564, bredlin@iwla.org Izaak Walton League Sees Wins...