"Conservation clearly is something that for a number of different reasons has been carried mostly by European Americans.  With demographic shifts, it's clear that if we don't get everyone concerned about the environment or at least educated about it, there's some risk of losing the gains we have made." - Dudley Edmundson a Duluth nature photographer and is the author of "Black and Brown Faces in America's Wild Places".

read more in this Star Tribune article:

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/173178281.html?page=all&prepage=2&c=y#continue

Eagan was praised for Energy Best Practices at a recent League of Minnesota Cities Conference.  The City of Eagan, with their Energy & Environment Commission, has joined other forward-thinking (and resource-aware) Minnesota cities in joining the Green Step Cities Program and analyzing and acting on projects and programs that save energy, money and enhance the community.

http://www.cityofeagan.com/live/news.aspx?id=51458

FYI - The City of Bloomington had initially joined the Green Step Cities program, but backed out.  The program seems to be working well in Eagan in focusing efforts and tracking benefits, as well as Edina.

Interesting article from Star Tribune, describing efforts to green up Cottage Grove public buildings:

http://www.startribune.com/local/south/159789675.html

Article from recent Star Tribune (with video) about coldwater-stream restoration, in eastern Bloomington:

http://www.startribune.com/local/157095415.html

Bush Lake Chapter members helped stock the stream with fingerling trout in 2007, and have also helped with other projects to protect this absolutely beautiful jewel.

Recent article in Star Tribune about Toro's new moisture sensor add-on for irrigation systems:

http://www.startribune.com/business/159239875.html

Bringing Down Roadblocks to Clean Water Protection

Another victory in December:  Stopping Congressional efforts to block the EPA's and the US Corps of Engineers' efforts to clarify Clean Water Act protections for wetlands and other threatened waters.

Read more here:  http://www.iwla.org/index.php?ht=display/ViewBloggerThread/i/22242

A new EPA Mercury Rule will help protect the health of vulnerable Americans, Fish and Wildlife!

This was a major clean air achievement, ending 10 years of legal battles to ensure the EPA met its obligation under the Clean Air Act to protect Americans from hazardous emissions from old coal-fired power plants.

You can read more here:  http://www.iwla.org/index.php?ht=display/ContentDetails/i/22210

Nominations will be accepted starting January 1st for two $2,500 national conservation college scholarships. 

Please help spread the word to college students of Izaak Walton League members.

Details are here:   http://www.iwla.org/index.php?ht=display/ContentDetails/i/2217

Recent article by Dennis Anderson (Star Tribune): http://www.startribune.com/local/135259173.html

All the more reason for Legislature and Governor to prioritize and fund modifications to the Coon Rapids Dam to prevent the possibility of more upstream movement of the invasive Silver Carp into the Mississippi headwaters.