-
In 2020, Izaak Walton League member Tom Perazella started creating a rain garden full of native flora that would provide food and habitat for wildlife. Now, stormwater runoff on Tom's property is very well controlled - and instead of causing erosion, it feeds precious fresh water back into the water table.
Read More
-
It's obvious that there is a connection between our land use, the amount of nitrate pollution in our waterways, and ultimately the health and safety of our communities. We need more water quality first responders - volunteers armed with test kits to help locate and document hotspots of nitrate pollution.
Read More
-
In 1924, Will Dilg, the League’s first president, urged chapters along Iowa’s polluted Cedar River to collaborate and present the problem to the state’s Board of Health. Chapters agreed - and won their case.
Read More
-
As the Izaak Walton League has long proved, volunteers can do science just as well as professionals. So when long-time natural resource manager Doug Johnson saw an opportunity to engage volunteers in the Izaak Walton League's Nitrate Watch community science program, he jumped in right away.
Read More
-
We use about 322 billion gallons of water per day in the U.S. and 87 percent of that is fresh water. Our supply of clean fresh water is diminishing as we confront a complex set of pollution problems. Existing technologies, practices and policies would go far to solve the water scarcity crisis. Here, we look at what's causing the water crunch and what we can do to solve it.
Read More
-
Hunting plays a vital role in conservation by contributing to wildlife management and by providing most of the funding for national programs. But hunting participation has declined in recent decades. To turn around the trend, mentors suggest adopting non-hunters and introducing them to a broader view of what hunting can be.
Read More
-
The Izaak Walton League is on a mission to connect the largest possible number of people to outdoor recreation. When one in four Americans has a disability, that means making recreation more accessible is a key priority. Read about how the League, disability advocates, and other allies are working to make nature inclusive for everyone.
Read More
-
As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Izaak Walton League’s successful campaign to establish the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, we ask ourselves a few questions. Why can’t we let the river do what it does naturally, and manage itself? Why do people have to intervene? How do we find a balance between many competing interests and a healthy river? In short, how do we take care of our old friend, the Mississippi?
Read More
-
Preventing pollution from entering waterways is one of the League’s most basic missions. So preventing overuse of road salt by private salt applicators and homeowners is a vital goal. The winter of 2023-24 saw crucial progress on that goal. Here are a few success stories.
Read More
-
Does monitoring water quality make you more optimistic about being able to solve pollution problems? Nearly 9 out of 10 Izaak Walton League volunteers say yes. Read more about the power of volunteer experience.
Read More
-
The eastern United States is no longer immune to lung-clogging wildfire smoke. Across the country, air quality improvement has either greatly slowed down or reversed, mainly due to wildfires. This is a national phenomenon and not one we can regulate our way out of. Here, we look at what's driving the fires, and what the growing problem is doing to our health.
Read More
-
As the Izaak Walton League begins its second century, we asked experts about the coming challenges and priorities for conservation. Elizabeth D. Hilborn, veterinarian and environmental scientist, tells us about the small changes that make a big difference.
Read More
-
Salt can accelerate the corrosion of water pipes and leach dangerous chemicals like lead into our drinking water. Even if our pipes are made of safer material, the salt itself can exacerbate health conditions like high blood pressure. Yet we apply about 20 million tons of road salt to pavement each year. Here, we explore where that salt goes and how we can address this escalating crisis.
Read More
-
Next year, we will remember the creation of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, which the Izaak Walton League forged in 1924. The League leveraged its growing membership and influence to convince Congress, the White House and four states to set aside the rich wetlands along the river. But as noted water expert Chris Jones explains, many challenges remain. Here is his take on the Mississippi, past and present.
Read More
-
Through reading an article by a League member in "Outdoor America," students discovered an authentic environmental problem they wanted to solve. Now Herndon Elementary School in Northern Virginia has its own award-winning project to help purple martins.
Read More
-
According to the U.S. Forest Service, the United States harbors at least 5,000 different non-native species of plants. One effective response is bio-controls: introducing natural predators to kill the invasives. The key to successful use of bio-controls is understanding the full impact in an ecosystem to ensure that it's a solution that doesn't become a new problem.
Read More
-
A new book and traveling art exhibition, supported by the Indiana Division of the League, explore the beauty of the state's waterways and the conservation challenges they face.
Read More
-
Red Wiggler is an example of community-supported agriculture or CSA—a farm supported by people in the local community who buy prepaid shares in the farm’s harvest and then receive a portion of that harvest throughout the growing season. But Red Wiggler is much more. "Outdoor America" explores how the Maryland farm is providing meaningful and gainful employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Read More
-
The damaging effects of nitrate pollution on human health and the environment are well-documented and understood. Yet, every year we apply millions of tons of nitrogen to land across the U.S. The Izaak Walton League has solutions to this growing problem.
Read More
-
When it comes to clean water and wildlife habitat, the importance of riparian buffers – the strip of land next to a waterway – cannot be overstated. But the process of restoring these critical areas? Not as difficult as you might think.
Read More
-
By design, the Green Crew asserts a new power dynamic where the youth are in charge. With just a little adult support, these young leaders are building trails, restoring urban tree canopy, studying biodiversity, and educating their communities about conservation.
Read More
-
Recently, schools designed to operate outdoors have popped up throughout the U.S., particularly for kids in the three-to-five-years age range. A growing number of educators and researchers report that outdoor education opens a world of opportunities for development, growth and learning for children.
Read More
-
As the Izaak Walton League begins its second century, we asked experts about the coming challenges and priorities for conservation. Douglas W. Tallamy, professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, tells us three things we have to do if conservation is to be successful in the future.
Read More
-
Threats to bird species come in many forms, and loss of habitat is a huge factor. A new report finds that more than half of America’s bird species are declining in nearly all types of habitat. The Recovering America's Wildlife Act could help save those that are most at risk.
Read More
-
Birds of prey face many threats. Raptor centers around the country make every effort to rescue, rehabilitate and release our high-flying friends when they are injured. The Izaak Walton League's Rapid City Chapter is partnering with one such center to help return these majestic birds to the South Dakota skies.
Read More
-
Among countless other benefits, a healthy environment also serves as the backbone for the outdoor recreation economy. The Izaak Walton League has understood that connection since 1922 – and today, the link has never been stronger.
Read More
-
The science is increasingly clear: poor soil health translates into less healthy crops and farm animals. And that leads to less healthy food for people.
Read More
-
During his time with the Izaak Walton League, conservation legend Joe Penfold created several of America's most important environmental programs, saved priceless natural areas, and changed the national conversation about public lands.
Read More
-
Climate change is bringing dangerous extreme weather, contributing to asthma attacks, and promoting the spread of diseases. Learn how global warming is harming our health – and especially the health of our children.
Read More
-
The white oak (Quercus alba), one of America’s great hardwood trees, is in serious decline from a variety of causes. There's no single or simple solution to the problem, but everyone can help.
Read More
-
The Lincoln Chapter was able to continue a long tradition of trap shooting by proactively adjusting for COVID-19.
Read More
-
McLoud Run in Cedar Rapids is Iowa's only urban trout stream – but hardly the only urban stream that could use some love and attention. The Linn County Chapter is doing its part.
Read More
-
Invasive plants are a huge problem nationwide. The Dwight Lydell Chapter is tackling the problem in its own community.
Read More
-
Notwithstanding the coronavirus pandemic, several League chapters across America managed to introduce members of the public to recreational shooting sports as part of National Shooting Sports Month.
Read More
-
As the calendar rolled into 2021, the League was already working to implement common-sense solutions for our top conservation issues. Here is a summary of the major issues you can expect the League to engage Congress and the Biden Administration on.
Read More
-
Learn how snowflakes form and how much water they create when they melt.
Read More
-
2020 was a breakout year for Winter Salt Watch.
Read More
-
Sustainable ecosystem management balances multiple goals for long-term health of forests.
Read More
-
The League promotes healthy soil practices, agricultural buffers and water-filtering wetlands to improve water safety.
Read More
-
State and local policymakers are taking a growing interest in healthy soil, and with good reason.
Read More
-
Thanks to the Izaak Walton League’s more than 40,000 members, we achieved important successes in 2020 – from major legislative victories, to effective on-the-ground action for clean water, to crucial alliances and new members.
Read More
-
Home to caribou, polar bears and migrating birds from all 50 states, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge faces destruction from drilling.
Read More
-
Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, among other states, have made elk feel welcome again.
Read More
-
A few examples of what people can do to become a little more self-reliant during uncertain times.
Read More
-
How stream temperatures are increasing and what that could mean for the future.
Read More
-
The third in a series of short articles about various aspects of climate change.
Read More
-
Discover the challenges of their long-distance air travel.
Read More
-
Learn how birds find the way between their winter and summer homes.
Read More
-
Why it's hard for people to mobilize around water pollution, and tips to draw in those who don’t necessarily understand the endangerment that they can’t see.
Read More
-
Legislators are reaching bipartisan consensus that American agriculture can and must find ways to address climate change and reduce its carbon footprint.
Read More
-
The Recovering America's Wildlife Act ensures a modern solution to how we finance fish and wildlife conservation.
Read More
-
The Great American Outdoors Act, which will fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), has finally become law... and as Ikes, we have a special connection to this important victory.
Read More
-
While in-person Save Our Streams training events were on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, Clean Water staff spent their time analyzing the results gathered from all of the League's community science projects.
Read More
-
Shooting sports continue to attract newcomers to a Virginia chapter's historic property.
Read More
-
A longstanding program from our South Dakota Division is helping to create a better environment for us, our children and future generations.
Read More
-
The Izaak Walton League is helping young athletes excel in the shooting sports.
Read More
-
Our Central New York Chapter is partnering with other groups to get high school students excited about natural resource conservation.
Read More
-
The Florida Division's annual meeting gives Ikes and allies opportunities to connect with like-minded conservationists.
Read More
-
A League booth at the Sioux Empire Water Festival provided educational experiences for over a thousand students.
Read More
-
At the annual national convention, League officers provide reports to attendees about issues ranging from finances and membership to long-term strategic planning. When the coronavirus pandemic forced the League to cancel the 2020 convention, leaders committed to sharing their perspectives with members using other means, including "Outdoor America."
Read More
-
The Senate has passed groundbreaking legislation to conserve our public lands.
Read More
-
The Clean Water for All Act would undo recent attacks on clean water in America.
Read More
-
Rules related to the Conservation Reserve Program, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, and State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Program make a big difference for soil health.
Read More
-
As threats to clean water change and evolve, today "success" means more than finding and stopping big pollution problems.
Read More
-
The Izaak Walton League awards two $2,500 national scholarships each year to complement scholarships offered by League chapters and divisions. Learn about this year's winners.
Read More
-
Know which flowers can heal versus hurt you.
Read More
-
How plants use pollen to reproduce.
Read More
-
The second in a series of short articles about various aspects of climate change.
Read More
-
Conservation easements can help protect land... which also helps protect water.
Read More
-
Algal blooms have serious, even deadly, consequences. The League is working to scale up solutions.
Read More
-
A regional approach to water quality monitoring leverages volunteers and League experience.
Read More
-
Cover crops, no-till and strip-till farming are helping Wayne Fredericks save money on equipment, time and fuel while keeping his yield competitive.
Read More
-
We are close to a critical victory – and you can help push us over the finish line.
Read More
-
League chapters and partners are working to tackle pollution problems on the Upper Mississippi River.
Read More
-
When farmers don't own the land they farm, it can be difficult for them to implement conservation practices. The Izaak Walton League is working to change that dynamic.
Read More
-
Partnering with local community groups paid off for the Rapid City Chapter.
Read More
-
Chemical monitoring is a safe. easy way to check the health of your local streams while social distancing.
Read More
-
Meet the students who received our scholarship awards for the 2019-2020 school year.
Read More
-
The Trump Administration's newest budget request to Congress proposes deep and counterproductive cuts in conservation, environmental protection, and public land management.
Read More
-
The Izaak Walton League is working up and down the Mississippi River to restore water quality through better agricultural practices.
Read More
-
Try these seven ways of taking action for clean water.
Read More
-
Strategies for staying cool and hydrated under the hot sun.
Read More
-
Educational presentations at public libraries can be entry points for potential hunters who aren't from traditional hunting backgrounds – and Ikes are in a great position to lead those presentations.
Read More
-
The first in a series of short articles about various aspects of climate change.
Read More
-
Has road salt made a lasting impression in our streams?
Read More
-
A closer look at how warming water temperatures, reduced flow, and increased levels of pollution affect fish.
Read More
-
Whether you prefer open prairie or wooded glades, find a hunt that suits you or someone you are mentoring.
Read More
-
How to translate your love of natural resources into words that move people.
Read More
-
The Elgin Chapter honored their young conservation partners with an award nomination.
Read More
-
Legislation to protect these important water bodies is moving forward, but it hasn't passed yet. You can help.
Read More
-
The rule change endangers wildlife as well as drinking water.
Read More
-
Hardworking volunteers made the annual event a big success.
Read More
-
The Warren County Chapter is connecting kids and their families to nature.
Read More
-
The Mountaineer Chapter is engaging more people in their work by hosting a variety of open events.
Read More
-
At the Izaak Walton Youth Camp, kids give up their computers and cell phones for a week – and want to do it again the next year.
Read More
-
With support from the IWLA Endowment, the chapter was able to build a playground that welcomes both kids and pollinators.
Read More
-
Schools need volunteers willing to share their knowledge – and their enthusiasm for the outdoors.
Read More
-
The League is training the water monitors of the future... and recovering data from monitors of the past.
Read More
-