Izaak Walton League of America

EPA recently declared that it had over-emphasized science in determining how to protect drinking water supplies, streams, and wetlands essential to fish and wildlife. When it comes to protecting the water we drink and habitat that affects the survival of fish and wildlife, the Izaak Walton League believes it’s impossible to rely too much on science. Full story

Otto von Bismarck said, “Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.” Doubly appropriate, perhaps, for the making of a Farm Bill, given its influence over Americans who raise livestock and those who make – and eat – sausages. Full story

The Senate Farm Bill reflects a bi-partisan approach and in many respects is much stronger when it comes to IWLA water quality and wildlife conservation priorities than the bill approved by the House Agriculture Committee in April. Read more for highlights of the Senate bill. Full story

Staff from state agencies, industry, and nonprofit groups have been working together for years on a comprehensive strategy to recruit, retain, and reactivate (R3) hunters and shooting sports enthusiasts. The League is uniquely positioned for all aspects of R3. The future is in our hands. Full story

Wetlands provide habitat for fish and wildlife, filter nutrients and other pollutants running off farm fields, slow down flood waters, and recharge groundwater. Recent proposals in Congress to weaken the Swampbuster provision in the Farm Bill could result in the loss of millions of acres of wetlands – and the many valuable benefits they provide. Full story

Historians and scientists have hypothesized that lead-contaminated drinking water caused the fall of the Roman Empire. Water treatment plants today are engineered to avoid the same fate. How well are they working? Ask the residents of Flint, Michigan. Full story

Because we have a big goal of monitoring 100,000 more stream sites, we also have a big goal of training 250 new stream monitors – and that’s just this spring! Full story

There are many ways to measure water quality in local streams. Here at the Izaak Walton League, we’ve found that sampling aquatic macroinvertebrates (aka “stream bugs”) is an inexpensive and accurate test of stream health – one that any citizen scientist can tackle. Full story

At a recent water event, someone asked me an intriguing question: “How do I pick my stream monitoring site?” Protecting the environment should not mean we simply react to each crisis as it comes up. We need to be proactive in monitoring stream health. Full story

On April 18, the House Agriculture Committee voted to advance its version of a 2018 Farm Bill. The bill is a mixed bag when it comes to IWLA water and wildlife conservation priorities. Full story