Izaak Walton League of America

The steady decline in congressional funding for the National Wildlife Refuge System is threatening the economic vitality of hundreds of local communities that rely on the tourism and recreation dollars that refuges provide.

The fastest-growing threat to water quality in the Chesapeake Bay doesn’t come from a factory pipe today – it comes from backyards across the region. That’s why the Izaak Walton League is teaming up with homeowners to stop water pollution at its source.

Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI) and Senator Mark Udall (D-CO) introduced legislation aimed at connecting children, youth and families with the outdoors. Supported by the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, of which the League is a member, the Healthy Kids Outdoors Act would support state, local and federal strategies to reconnect Americans with nature, improve children’s health, and support future economic growth and conservation efforts.

As our nation celebrates the spirit of community action to benefit the environment this week, Izaak Walton League and our chapters are working in communities across America to conserve natural resources for future generations.

As the Izaak Walton League of America closes in on a century of service conserving America’s natural resources and ensuring public access to those resources, Oxford University Press today issued a new edition of Izaak Walton’s "The Compleat Angler" – one of the most original and influential books about the environment.

The Army Corps and EPA released a long-awaited proposal to clarify which U.S. waters are protected by the Clean Water Act. The draft rule is a great step toward restoring protections for upstream waters and wetlands that were eliminated due to confusing Supreme Court rulings and agency rules. Now sportsmen need to weigh in about how important clean water and healthy wetlands are to them!

The final hurdle in a long-overdue Farm Bill was overcome today with passage of the Conference Committee Report in the U.S. Senate. The Izaak Walton League of America commends Congress on passage of the 2014 Farm Bill, which includes conservation compliance – the top priority for the League.

The Izaak Walton League of America is proud of our commitment to conservation, clean air and water, and healthy habitat for fish and wildlife. League members understand that a healthy environment is the foundation for the incredible outdoor recreation opportunities we have in this country, from hunting and fishing to bird watching and canoeing.

The Farm Bill passed its biggest hurdle yet thanks to bipartisan support for both farmers and America’s natural resources.

The Izaak Walton League of America commends the Farm Bill Conference Committee for including critical conservation measures in the Farm Bill, including a “conservation compliance” provision. The legislation will both support farmers and safeguard America’s natural resources. We urge all members of Congress to approve this Farm Bill.