Rep. Betty McCollum, Conservation Experts Will Address Izaak Walton League Annual Convention, Bloomington, Minn. July 16-18
Gaithersburg, Md., July 8, 2026—–Rep. Betty McCollum, former U.S. Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck, former Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Richie, Boundary Waters champion Becky Rom and Young IKES podcaster Griff Pugh are among the featured speakers and panelists who will speak at the Izaak Walton League of America annual convention in Bloomington, Minn. July 16-18, 2026.
The Izaak Walton League has been shaping the nation’s bedrock environmental and conservation policies and laws for 104 years. Today those policies are under attack. The wetland protections in the Clean Water Act, a law that the League spent 50 years working to enact, are under attack. As is the Clean Air Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the 2001 Roadless Rule and the BLM Public Lands Rule that requires a multiple and sustained use management for hundreds of millions of acres owned by all Americans.
Having shaped these laws and policies, the League is uniquely positioned to rally support for our woods, waters and wildlife. For the sake of future generations, Americans of all stripes agree on the imperative of protecting clean drinking water, wild places and our outdoor traditions.
At the annual convention, the League expects a capacity attendance of 300 members, volunteers and advocates who will gather from across the U.S. to discuss policy priorities, vote on resolutions and hear from other leaders.
Who Izaak Walton League of America
What Annual Convention
When July 16-18, 2026
Where Hilton Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, 3800 American Blvd. E, Bloomington, Minn.
Friday July 17, Minnesota Valley Ballroom, Hilton Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport
9:00 am Tim Busse, Mayor of Bloomberg, welcome
10:45 am Jared Mott, executive director report
11:00 am Rep. Betty McCollum, introduced by Mark Ritchie, former Minnesota Secretary of State
3:15 pm Get It Done platform: advocacy priorities for agriculture, clean water, wildlife conservation, climate change and public lands
Saturday July 18, Minnesota Valley Ballroom, Hilton Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport
9 am – 4 pm Innovation Fair (Main Hallway)
12:30 pm “Conservation, food and public lands,” Carmen Fernholz, and Helene Murray, executive director, Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture
2-4 pm Public Lands Leadership Forum, Griff Pugh, moderator
7 pm “Bridging Environmentalism and Conservation for a New Generation of Leadership,” Hannah Barisonzi, Founder, Green Crew
Photo opportunities
- Voting and member delegates from across the U.S.
- Speakers: member of Congress, mayor of Bloomington, conservation experts
- Youth Convention
- Innovation Fair, Friday
- Art exhibit, Kouba Gallery
Media Contact:
Michael Reinemer, director of communications, mreinemer@iwla.org.
Founded in 1922, the Izaak Walton League fights for clean air and water, healthy fish and wildlife habitat and conservation of our natural resources for future generations. The League plays a unique role in supporting community-based science and local conservation and has a long legacy of shaping sound national policy. See www.iwla.org.
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.