Special thanks to outgoing president Clarence Jones and vice president Mike Cronin, who will continue as board members, and to Pat Davis, who did not seek re-election.

Richardson Nature Center Program  

Scholarship funds from our chapter provided an opportunity for nearly 200 inner-city elementary school students, from Harvest Prep School / SEED Academy in Minneapolis, to enjoy and learn about the outdoor environment at the Richardson Nature Center in the Hyland Park Reserve. 

As part of this school group program, students have direct experiences in a setting where they develop a better understanding of the natural world, all within a performance-based curricula developed by educators in the Three Rivers Park District.

Long Lake Conservation Camp

The Bush Lake Chapter has had a long relationship with the Long Lake Conservation Camp in Aitkin.  This year we sponsored a fifth grade student from New Prague to attend a week-long Outdoor Explorers camp. 

The mission of the Long Lake Conservation Center is to foster proper conservation citizenship and encourage the wise use of resources by making students aware of the interdependency of humans and the environment.  For more information on the camp, visit:  www.LLCC.org

Fishing Blocks on Youth Fishing Ponds

For the second year in a row, the Bush Lake chapter has sponsored the creation of fishing access areas on youth fishing ponds in the Bloomington area.  The large blocks (on which the kids will stand) will take pressure off the rest of the shoreline, reduce shoreland erosion, and consequently benefit fish habitat. 

We are working with the DNR’s Fishing In the Neighborhood (FiN) Program.  For more information on the FiN Program, and the location of youth-fishing ponds, visit:  www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/fin

IWLA - Mn Division College Scholarships

The Bush Lake Chapter dedicated $500 toward the IWLA Minnesota Division College Scholarship Fund.  This fund provided five $1,000 college scholarships to well-deserving students in natural resources majors. 

Recipients were:

- Samantha Bohrman (Master’s Program)

Environmental Law (U of M Law School)

- Dana Burtness (Junior)

          Sustainable Agriculture (St. Olaf - Northfield)

- Brad Dekkers (Junior)

          Environmental Education (U of M - Duluth)

- Kara Van Nurden (Sophomore)

          Biology and Wildlife Management (South Dakota State University - Brookings)

- Crystal Wold (Senior)

          Environmental Education (U of M - Mpls)

River Watch Program on Nine Mile Creek

This year, the chapter is helping biological monitoring of water quality on Nine Mile Creek through financial assistance to Hopkins High School.  The school has been involved in this work for several years, but lost their previous funding source in 2005. 

We are additionally working with Hennepin County Environmental Services which provides training to the school and compiles and reports data collected by the students.  Specific insects that students find in the creek are indicators of the creek's water quality.  Not only is bio-monitoring a great experience for students, but info collected is valuable to water resource managers and policy-makers.

For more info:  www.co.hennepin.mn.us, and search for 'River Watch'

Recent Eagle Scout Projects

- Wood Duck Nesting Boxes (22)

- Canoe & Kayak Racks (8)

- Log Benches / Fire Pit  (Council Ring)

- Buckthorn (Invasive Plant) Removal on our property and neighboring park land

- Interpretive Sign Displays (10)

- Rainbarrels (10)

An upcoming Eagle Scout Project will involve the building and installation of wood benches along our lake trail.  The benches will be made from wood recycled from our old canoe racks:

If you know a Boy Scout looking for an Eagle Scout Project, they can contact Gregg at bushlake@bushlakeikes.org

Wetlands Rally at the Capital:

In 2005, the chapter, along with other Izaak Walton chapters, the IWLA Mn Division, and a broad coalition of 30 other conservation organizations, sponsored the Wetlands Rally at the State Capital.  5,000 concerned citizens attended the rally to learn more about the current state of our wetlands, how their health affects wildlife populations and water quality, and what we can do about it (from individual wetland restoration efforts to broad-based public-policy changes).

In 2006, another Wetland Rally is planned for April at the Capital grounds, as well as a Wetland Summit at Normandale Community College on February 4^th.  For more info, visit:  www.WetlandsRally.org