Farm Bill proposal clears Senate Agriculture Committee
On September 16, the Senate Agriculture Committee passed a Farm Bill—the Agricultural Act of 2026—by a vote of 12-11. The development marks an encouraging step for the overdue legislation, but…
Roadless Area protections at risk: Learn how you can help
Author: Kate Miller, Conservation Director On August 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (2001 Roadless Rule). This proposed action would eliminate widely…
‘Iowa’s Cancer Rate is Skyrocketing. Our Tests Prove Why.’
Concerned community members in Iowa are using the Izaak Walton League’s Nitrate Watch kits to track levels of cancer-causing nitrate in their drinking water. This video from More Perfect Union…
Deep budget cuts proposed; Congress must prioritize conservation
Each year, Congress decides how to fund federal departments, agencies and programs through the annual appropriations process. The federal budget is divided into twelve categories, including Interior and Environment, Energy…
Farm Bill passes U.S. House, heads to Senate
Not long ago, lawmakers took an encouraging first step to pass a Farm Bill. Less than two months later, on April 30, the legislation passed the full House of Representatives…
Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future
By: Abby Hileman, Salt Watch Coordinator On March 27, 2026, the energy at the BlackRock Center for the Arts was buzzing with excitement. Councilmember-at-Large Laurie-Anne Sayles hosted her fourth annual Women’s History…
All the Salt that Remains: The Lasting Danger of Road Salt to Our Waterways
By: Abby Hileman, Salt Watch Coordinator Winter may come and go, but the impact of road salt lingers long after the snow melts—seeping into our soil, groundwater, and waterways where…
Proposed Farm Bill clears first hurdle
In the early hours of March 5, lawmakers of the House Agriculture Committee voted 34 to 17 to pass a draft Farm Bill, The Farm, Food and National Security Act…
Small Wins, Big Impact: Saving Reston’s Streams from Salt Overload
By: Abby Hileman, Salt Watch Coordinator With so much heavy news about our local waterways lately, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But this past week, a “small win” in Reston…
Your kit will include a bottle containing 25 nitrate test strips which you can use to test your water source(s) throughout the year. You’ll also receive postcards explaining how to use your nitrate test strips and how to share your Nitrate Watch results on the Clean Water Hub.
Your kit will include four test strips so you can test your waterway throughout the season. You’ll also receive a chart to help you interpret your results and a postcard with instructions for completing a Salt Watch test and reporting your findings.