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Upcoming Events:
July 22nd (Sunday 5-7pm) – Fishing for Youth: What works on Bush Lake
Location: Bush Lake Chapter Lodge (7515 Izaak Walton Road).
Description: Learn about the fish in Bush Lake and their seasonal diet. Learn about lures that mimic the diet of the many different, and feisty, fishes of Bush Lake. If you want hands-on learning, this is the class for you.
This workshop is free and open to the public.
The Bush Lake Chapter of the Izaak Walton League is sponsoring this event. The chapter was founded by dedicated fisherman who understood the connection between the continuation of Minnesota’s outdoor heritage and how we treat our natural resources, like Bloomington’s many lakes and ponds.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Reserve a spot at this free class and invite your friends / neighbors (however, class size is limited). Attendees will also receive some lead-free lures, in exchange for some of the lead in your tackle box.
More Info: www.BushLakeIkes.org
July 25th (Wed, 6-7:30pm) – Water Smart Landscaping
Location: Penn Library (8800 Penn Avenue).
Description: Learn
how to design landscaping projects in your yard that will beautify
your yard, use less water and help improve our lakes.
This workshop is free and open to the public.
The Bush Lake Chapter of the Izaak Walton League is sponsoring this event. The chapter received a grant from the Toro Corporation to provide outreach to Bloomington citizens to help create healthier landscapes that use less natural resources and help Bloomington’s many lakes and ponds.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Reserve a spot at this free class (seats are limited) and invite your friends / neighbors. If you want advice specific to your yard, email photos beforehand to the presenter (Gregg: bushlake@bushlakeikes.org)
August 5th (Sunday, 1 - 2:30 pm) – Water Smart Landscaping
Location: Mn Valley Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (3815 American Boulevard East).
Description: Learn
how to design landscaping projects in your yard that will beautify
your yard, use less water and help improve our lakes.
This workshop is free and open to the public.
The Bush Lake Chapter of the Izaak Walton League is sponsoring this event. The chapter received a grant from the Toro Corporation to provide outreach to Bloomington citizens to help create healthier landscapes that use less natural resources and help Bloomington’s many lakes and ponds.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Reserve a spot at this free class (seats are limited) and invite your friends / neighbors. If you want advice specific to your yard, email photos beforehand to the presenter (Gregg: bushlake@bushlakeikes.org)
August 5th (Sunday, 6 - 7:30 pm) – Water Smart Landscaping
Location: Bush Lake Chapter Lodge (7515 Izaak Walton Road).
Description: Learn
how to design landscaping projects in your yard that will beautify
your yard, use less water and help improve our lakes.
This workshop is free and open to the public.
The Bush Lake Chapter of the Izaak Walton League is sponsoring this event. The chapter received a grant from the Toro Corporation to provide outreach to Bloomington citizens to help create healthier landscapes that use less natural resources and help Bloomington’s many lakes and ponds.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Reserve a spot at this free class (seats are limited) and invite your friends / neighbors. If you want advice specific to your yard, email photos beforehand to the presenter (Gregg: bushlake@bushlakeikes.org)
August 14th (Tues, 6-7:30pm) – Water Smart Landscaping
Location: Penn Library (8800 Penn Avenue).
Description: Learn
how to design landscaping projects in your yard that will beautify
your yard, use less water and help improve our lakes.
This workshop is free and open to the public.
The Bush Lake Chapter of the Izaak Walton League is sponsoring this event. The chapter received a grant from the Toro Corporation to provide outreach to Bloomington citizens to help create healthier landscapes that use less natural resources and help Bloomington’s many lakes and ponds.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Reserve a spot at this free class (seats are limited) and invite your friends / neighbors. If you want advice specific to your yard, email photos beforehand to the presenter (Gregg: bushlake@bushlakeikes.org)
August 26th (Sunday 5-7pm) – Trout in Bloomington, no, seriously.
Location: Bush Lake Chapter Lodge (7515 Izaak Walton Road).
Description: Learn about the trout in Bloomington and their seasonal diet. Did you know that Nine Mile Creek used to be a trout stream, but they have disappeared because of decreasing water quality?
Local environmental watchdog Dick Duerre will talk about his long-term
monitoring of Black Dog Lake and the Minnesota River. Dr. Len Ferrington, from the University of Minnesota, has been doing biological-monitoring on a little-known spring-fed stream in Bloomington, and will share the details of his surprising findings.
This event is FREE and open to the public.
The Bush Lake Chapter of the Izaak Walton League is sponsoring this event. The chapter was founded by dedicated fisherman who understood the connection between the continuation of Minnesota’s outdoor heritage and how we treat our natural resources, like Bloomington’s many lakes, ponds and streams.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Reserve a spot at this free talks and invite your friends / neighbors (however, seating is limited).
More Info: www.BushLakeIkes.org
September 5th (Wed, 6-7:30pm) – Water Smart Landscaping
Location: Penn Library (8800 Penn Avenue).
Description: Learn
how to design landscaping projects in your yard that will beautify
your yard, use less water and help improve our lakes.
This workshop is free and open to the public.
The Bush Lake Chapter of the Izaak Walton League is sponsoring this event. The chapter received a grant from the Toro Corporation to provide outreach to Bloomington citizens to help create healthier landscapes that use less natural resources and help Bloomington’s many lakes and ponds.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Reserve a spot at this free class (seats are limited) and invite your friends / neighbors. If you want advice specific to your yard, email photos beforehand to the presenter (Gregg: bushlake@bushlakeikes.org)
September 16th (Sunday – time tbd) – Chapter Annual Meeting Extravaganza.
Location: Bush Lake Chapter Lodge (7515 Izaak Walton Road).
Description: Learn about the proposals for the Constitutional Amendment for Dedicated Funding for Conservation. Find out the details from a state-wide conservation-hero of our own time, Dave Zentner.
This talk is FREE and open to the public.
The Bush Lake Chapter of the Izaak Walton League is sponsoring this event. The
Izaak Walton League was founded by 54 dedicated fisherman, in 1992, who
understood the connection between the continuation of Minnesota’s outdoor heritage and how we treat our natural resources, like Bloomington’s many lakes, ponds, wetlands and streams.
The Annual Meeting, open to members in good standing, will follow this discussion.
More Info: www.BushLakeIkes.org
Date (Day) – Event
Location: (time)
SPEAKER: time: Speaker, Title - from where.
PROGRAM TOPIC:
Program is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
meeting to follow program.
Contact: at (952) .
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Attend the event, and invite a friend.
Some Recent-Past Events
June 24th (Sunday, 5-7pm) – Water Smart Landscaping
Location: Bush Lake Chapter Lodge (7515 Izaak Walton Road).
Description: Learn how to plan for landscaping projects in your yard that will beautify your yard, use less water and help improve our lakes.
This workshop is free and open to the public.
The Bush Lake Chapter of the Izaak Walton League is sponsoring this event. The chapter received a grant from the Toro Corporation to provide outreach to Bloomington citizens to help create healthier landscapes that use less natural resources and help Bloomington’s many lakes and ponds.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Reserve a spot at this free class (seats are limited) and invite your friends / neighbors. If you want advice specific to your yard, email photos beforehand to the presenter (Gregg: bushlake@bushlakeikes.org)
More Info: www.BushLakeIkes.org
April 27th, 28th & 29th (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) - IWLA Minnesota Division Annual Meeting
Location: in Bloomington at multiple locations (6:00pm Friday to 1 pm Sunday)
Description: Our Bush Lake Chapter and the South Minneapolis Chapter (on Auto Club Road in Bloomington) are co-hosting the state IWLA annual meeting weekend here in Bloomington.
THEME: Energy Production & Land Development FOR Clean Water
EVENT:
Friday evening - Social Event / Natural Resources Issues Discussion (share your thoughts)
Location: Bush Lake Chapter Grounds
Saturday morning
- Program Topic / Discussion: Sustainable Development /
Low-Impact Development: Win/Win Strategies for Development &
Environment.
Location: Oak Grove Presbyterian Church, Bloomington (across from city hall)
Lunch & Tours: Grab a lunch and hit the road for a tour of Bloomington’s natural history and future legacy.
Location: across Bloomington
Saturday afternoon: Program Topic / Discussion: Moving towards Energy Independence: the future of Bio-Energy in Minnesota.
Location: Oak Grove Presbyterian Church, BloomingtonSaturday evening: Dinner & State Awards
Banquet
Location: Oak Grove Presbyterian Church, Bloomington.
Sunday morning: Annual membership meeting of the Minnesota Division of the IWLA.
Location: Holiday Inn, Bloomington (sw of intersection of I-35W & 94th Street).
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Volunteers
needed to help with the Friday night social and Saturday registration,
tours, and logistical tasks on Saturday morning to late
afternoon. You can attend the programs and tours and the Dinner /
Awards Banquet on Saturday if you are interested. If you volunteer, you will EAT for FREE.
Contact: Gregg Thompson at (612) 618-8616 / bushlake@bushlakeikes.org or Jill Crafton at (952) 944-5583.
April 21st (Saturday) - Spring Cleanup at the Chapter Grounds
Location: Chapter Grounds at Bush Lake (9am-12pm).
Description: Social work event to wake the place up for spring.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Help launch the swimming raft, put out fishing dock, rake leaves and plant trees.
What you can bring: A rake and crazy stories.
Snacks and drinks will be provided for the volunteers.
Contact: Paul McCullough at 952-844-9984 mccullough.p@gmail.com.
April 12th (Thurs) - Speaker at BLC Board of Directors Meeting at Lodge
Location: Chapter Lodge at Bush Lake (6:30pm - 8:30pm)
SPEAKER: 6:30-7:30pm: Kevin Proescholdt - Director, Midwest Wilderness & Public Lands Program - IWLA National Organization's Midwest Office
PROGRAM TOPIC: The history of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) and the Izaak Walton League.
Program is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Directors meeting to follow program.
Contact: Jill Crafton at (952) 944-5583.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Attend the event, promote the event, and invite a friend.
March 30th & 31st (Friday-Saturday) - Great Waters Fly-Fishing Expo
Location: Bloomington Sheraton (NW corner Hwy100 & 494 intersection).
Description: Learn more about the enjoyment of fly fishing - from fly-tying & casting training for kids and adults, vendors of equipment, guides and fly-fishing vacation trips.
Event has an entrance fee (I think its around $5 / each, but theirs is probably a free or cheap deal for kids). www.greatwaters2007.com.
Our Ikes chapter is sponsoring and staffing an Izaak Walton League booth at the Expo on Friday evening and Saturday, all day. Booth / Display setup and take-down will be taken care of by others.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Volunteers needed to help at the Izaak Walton League booth. It’s
a good chance to learn more about the Izaak Walton League and why we’re
involved with Fly-Fishing Expos and also a chance to chat with some
interesting fly-fishing people (amateurs to experts) and learn a lot,
if you want. If you volunteer with us, you get in FREE. Volunteers are needed anytime on Friday afternoon-evening, and Saturday morning to late afternoon. Stay for a couple of hours or stay for 15 minutes so that another ‘staffer’ can take a bathroom break. You can also help by just promoting this event to a friend.
Contact: Gregg Thompson (612) 618-8616 email me at: bushlake@bushlakeikes.org.
March 15th (Thurs) – Speaker at Bush Lake Chapter Board of Directors Meeting
Location: Chapter Lodge at Bush Lake (6:30pm - 8:30pm)
SPEAKER: 6:30-7:30pm: Brad Redlin - Director, Agriculture-Policy Program - IWLA National Organization's Midwest Office.
PROGRAM TOPIC: Farm Bill 2007: How Farm Policy Effects the Environment, even in Bloomington.
Program is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Directors meeting to follow program.
Contact: Jill Crafton at (952) 944-5583.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Attend the event, and invite a friend.
Feb. 11th (Sunday) – Izaak Walton’s 414th Birthday & Bush Lake Chapter Chili Feed Social Event
Location: Chapter Lodge at Bush Lake (2-5pm).
Description: Enjoy
some delicious chili recipes and get to know your fellow Ikes, or learn
about membership with the Bush Lake Chapter of the IWLA. Get the skinny on things going on in Bloomington.
Event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ((please bring a Food Shelf donation).
Feb. 3rd (Saturday)- Bloomington Energy & Environment Expo
Location: Bloomington City Hall (9am-1pm).
Description: Find vendors and information on home energy-use reduction / cost-saving practices. Also find out information that can help you help the environment.
Event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ((please bring a Food Shelf donation).
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Attend the event
Feb. 3rd (Saturday)- Wetlands Summit: Cultivating a Land Ethic
Location: Normandale Community College . - (8am-5:30pm)
Description:
2nd Annual Wetland Summit sponsored by Izaak Walton League and
coalition of other conservation groups to raise awareness of wetland
policy and impacts, at the local, state and federal
level. Presentations and discussion on impacts of
agricultural policy on conservation of wetland and prairie habitats,
ecosystems functions, soils, and water quality. Last year's
Wetland Summit had over 300 attendees.
(2006):
November 20th (Monday) 7- 8pm
- Energy Conservation (and Cost Savings) at Home
Join
us to learn about 'Home Energy Audits' and energy conservation tips for
your home. Home Diagnostic Specialist Kevin Brauer, with the
non-profit Mn Center for Energy and the Environment, will show us
assessment tools that they use to identify specific areas in your home
that are wasting energy and money. Check out their
cool infra-red camera that can see into walls to find insulation weak
spots. Learn how to make you home (or any building) more energy
efficient, saving money, energy and reducing emissions.
Have
questions about things to look for in a new furnace, hot water heater,
windows, insulation, light bulbs or anything home energy related?
Kevin is a warehouse of knowledge and practical experience in energy
conservation. Last year Kevin did a Home Energy Audit at the
caretaker's cabin and we learned a lot (including the most effective
use of our funds) for making energy efficiency improvements.
If
you want to learn about some simple tips that will save energy and
money, you can't afford to miss this. For more info, contact
Gregg at 612-618-8616. The presentation is open to the general
public. A Board of Director's meeting will follow the
presentation.
Recent Events:
October 16th (Monday) 6:30-9pm - Global Warming and Minnesota
Global
Warming is the defining issue of our age and will be for many
generations to come. Learn how it affects Minnesota in particular
and what actions everyday Minnesotans are taking to curb and mitigate
its impacts. J.Drake Hamilton, Science Policy Director for Fresh
Energy, shared her expertise and perspective with us Monday October
16th, from 7-8pm at the chapter lodge. The presentation was open
to members and the general public, to understand the basics, work
toward positive strategies, and encourage collaboration within our
communities.
Hamilton
serves on the board of the U.S. Climate Action Network and helped found
Congregations Caring for Creation. In 2005 she studied global
warming policy in Europe via a leadership fellowship from the European
Union. She holds degrees in geography and environmental studies
from Dartmouth and the U of MN and was formerly assistand professor of
geography at George Washington University in Washington DC, where she
taught graduate and undergraduate courses in environmental geography
and energy policy. Fresh Energy's web resources are at www.fresh-energy.org.
The
presentation was followed by the business portion of the board of
directors meeting. For more info, call Jill Crafton at
952-944-5583.
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September 24th (Sunday) 4- 6:30pm - Chapter Annual Meeting
Our
chapter held their 70th Annual Meeting with election of officers
and other board members. A Board of Directors meeting
preceeded the Annual Meeting. A Corn Roast & Brat Feast
followed the meetings.
August 22nd (Tuesday) 7- 8:30pm - Sustainability and Local Community Planning
Our
chapter hosted a forum on “Sustainability and Local
Community Planning.” The forum included our IKE members, city
council members, planning commission members and the general public
from the Bloomington area.
The
goal of this session was to get people talking about these issues
and to get new people involved in the long-range planning processes in
their local communities. Bloomington is currently in the process
of updating their long-range strategic plan.
August 7th (Monday) 7- 8:30pm - Training for Water Quality Testers (Eden Prairie)
Our
chapter members put on a training program for local volunteers to
learn about how to test their local lakes and streams for their water
quality. Our program was hosted by the Starring Lake
Outdoor Center, in Eden Prairie. This location had close
walkable access to demonstrate simple water quality testing methods on
Starring Lake and also Riley Creek.
July 17th (Monday) 6:30pm - 8:30pm - Building and Grounds Discussion Group
Chapter
members joined in a brainstorming session to discuss future
improvements to/rebuilding of the chapter lodge building and
improvements to the chapter grounds. This will kick-off forming
an ad hoc committee to make recommendations to the board and membership
later this year. Attending members shared ideas about what
should be done to improve our chapter’s physical facilities and
environment to better serve our mission. For more info or to
volunteer, call Paul McCullough 952-844-9984 or Karen Shragg
952-888-1305.
June 19th (Monday) 6:30pm - 8:30pm - Training for Water Quality Testers
A hands-on training session on how to do simple but valuable water quality tests of lakes, streams and rivers. The
session was led by Dick Duerre, co-founder of the Minnesota Valley
National Wildlife Refuge and veteran environmental activist in the
area. Dick has been monitoring the Minnesota River and Black Dog Lake for over 25 years and is seeking volunteers to assist in this important project. We showed how to do readings of Bush Lake
with secchi disks then travelled to the Minnesota River/Black Dog Lake
to do tube readings on one of the dirtiest rivers and lakes in Minnesota. Learn how to record and report your readings to the MPCA and local watershed districts. To volunteer/more info call John Crampton, 612-396-6010
May 7th (Sunday) 12:00 noon-4:00 pm Spring Workday II at the Chapter Grounds
- spread new beach sand
- help build a new retaining wall by the parking area, so that our sand doesn't wash into the lake
- take a wildlife & wildflower tour of the grounds with the caretaker
May 6 & 7th (Sat. & Sun) - Living Green Expo at State Fairgrounds (details at www.livinggreenexpo.org)
April 29-30th (Sat. - Sunday) - IWL Mn Division Annual Meeting - New Ulm (details at www.minnesotaikes.org)
April 23rd (Sunday) 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Will Steger at St. Andrews Church (Eden Prairie) - Presentation on
Global Warming. Also featuring Paul Douglas of WCCO.
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