‘Ag fertilizer runoff likely will force more drinking water restrictions’

The nitrate pollution at the root of Central Iowa’s lawn watering ban is not unique to Central Iowa. The issue – and its sources – are incredibly widespread. In this…
Tackling water pollution, amping up advocacy top the agenda for League’s national convention

Taking action to protect our air, water and the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy has taken on new urgency across the U.S. “The nitrate water pollution crisis, the rollback of…
‘Atlantic couple teaches neighbors to test waterways’

Denise and Larry O’Brien, organic farmers and founding members of the Nishnabotna Water Defenders, are teaching their neighbors in Atlantic, Iowa to monitor pollution in waterways with Nitrate Watch. Learn…
Now it’s our turn to fight for these lands

By Jared Mott, Conservation Director, Izaak Walton League — The trigger broke just before I expected it, exactly how you want it to. A hundred and sixty-eight yards in front…
‘Iowans across the state asked to conserve water due to dry wells, high nitrate levels’

Residents in Central Iowa have been placed under a first-of-its-kind lawn watering ban in response to stress on the water utilities from nitrate pollution in water sources. Data and insight…
Volunteers detect nitrate on the rise in waters nationwide

Nitrate Watch volunteers have been busy in 2025 and their data is starting to paint a picture. What does the data show us? Nitrate concentrations are steadily climbing in surface…
‘A salt crisis is looming for U.S. rivers’

Salt Watch staff and partners interviewed with reporter Kasha Patel from The Washington Post to discuss regional and nationwide chloride testing results and issues related to road salt pollution. One…
League staff featured in NPR article on how government and non-profit agencies assess stream health in Virginia

The League’s Samantha Puckett and Matthew Kierce led a Virginia Save Our Streams benthic macroinvertebrate monitoring demonstration at the Choose Clean Water Conference in May 2025. They are featured in…
A dust storm hit close to home. Congress is behind on the bill that could help.

Kate Hansen As the League’s Agriculture Program Director, I think about soil more than the average person. It has never felt more personal than last month, when my spouse and…