Since 2017 we have been giving out awards to our members and others for their outstanding contributions to the Chapter and conservation. Below is a list of the awards, the award winners, and their contributions for 2024 and 2023. To view the awardees from 2017-2022, Click Here. 

Bush Lake Chapter IWLA Awards 2024

1) Chapter Volunteer of the Year Award- for member with outstanding contributions to the chapter in 2024

Krissy Anderson is a new member and in just a few short months she has become one of our best! At new member orientation, Krissy heard about Paul’s plans for a new turtle raft to be put in the pond, something he has been wanting to do, but hasn’t been able to find the time. Krissy offered to take this on, and with the help from her husband Dave and a couple of other Chapter volunteers, a new turtle/wildlife raft was out on East Bay Pond in short order! Krissy has also helped manage invasive plants at the Chapter, and recently helped clean up after storm damage. Krissy enjoys taking the trail around the Chapter and sharing her nature observations. An honorable mention goes to Dave, Krissy’s husband. Dave also helped with the turtle raft, and Dave and Krissy volunteered at the UMN Starry Trek event in August, where they went out to look for starry stonewort and other Aquatic Invasive Species. Members that are always quick and willing to lend a hand, that what makes for a strong Izaak Walton League Chapter. Thank you, Krissy!

2) Gordy Bratsch Award- This award is named after our old neighbor, Gordy Bratsch, who was the “unofficial caretaker”- he was committed to keeping Bush Lake clean and the Chapter running smoothly. This award is given to a member that contributes to the chapter and the environment, year after year.

Lee Ann Landstrom is a long-time member that is always sure to fulfill her Chapter volunteer requirements but is also involved with the Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter (MRVAC), where she currently serves as a Director at Large, and Environmental Action & Conservation Chair. Lee Ann can’t always make it to our volunteer events, but she is sure to reach out to Paul and ask how she can help out. For several years this was pulling abundant sweet clover around the lake, and, this year, she sat and watched for chimney swifts coming and going from our chimney swift tower to get photo documentation, which she got! At MRVAC, she wears many hats, but a big one is managing their grant program, giving grants to non-profits, schools and governmental organizations for projects that benefit wildlife and promote environmental awareness, education, and advocacy. One such fortunate recipient of a MRVAC grant was the Jefferson High School Earth Corps, where grant funds were used for native plants for their Unity Garden. And of course, Lee Ann volunteered and helped with the garden. This year’s Gordy Bratsch Award goes to Lee Ann Landstrom!

3) Public Good Award- Award given to non-profit, city or public staff or elected officials for their outstanding contributions to water quality, conservation, and/or the environment.

A) City of Bloomington Solid Waste Program - This award is to recognize the solid waste Bloomington staff for the amazing progress in reducing landfill contributions and putting programs in place that incentivize residents to reduce their footprint. Their efforts started with organized collection- reducing the number of trucks moving through our neighborhoods, making them safer and less polluted, saving wear and tear on roads, and more. Next, they implemented organics drop off sites, and soon after, Bloomington residents were able to have curbside organics recycling. Soon after this, the City and Solid Waste Program studied our “dump all your junk on the curb once a year”- also known as curbside clean up, and found that more than 1/3 of these items put on the curb could be recycled or reused. Their solution- a multifaceted program that combined the previous and popular curbside pickup program with a series of new initiatives aimed at reusing items previously thrown in the landfill. Our City is leading the way in Minnesota on solid waste, and the city now has a goal of recycling or composting 75% of the waste generated in the city by 2030. The City Solid Waste Program is led by Laura Horner- special kudos to her! One of this year’s Public Good Awards goes to the City of Bloomington Solid Waste Program.

B) A member of our chapter, Representative Steve Elkins has worked since the mid-1990’s creating safe, sustainable, efficient transportation solutions: so that everyday people (schoolchildren, workers, disabled, elders, economically disadvantaged, everybody) can get where they need to go safely and efficiently while reducing their carbon footprint through active modes of transportation (walking, cycling).

Here are four points essential to understanding the problem that Steve has worked so long to address and the success he has had which are good for all of us.

1. Climate change mitigation starts with reducing carbon emissions.

2. In Minnesota, any realistic effort to reduce carbon emissions must place transportation front and center. According to MnDOT: “Transportation is the top source of carbon pollution in Minnesota and the United States. Land use patterns and unsafe, inconvenient alternatives make driving alone the most convenient choice for many Minnesotans. Cars in Minnesota are mostly powered by fossil fuels, which emit carbon pollution and other air pollutants.”

3. The personal automobile is the least sustainable--but most popular--mode of transportation in Minnesota. The automobile not only produces emissions—from the tailpipe or, in the case of e-cars, at the powerhouse—but it also requires large swaths of our landscape be paved thereby producing runoff and urban heat island, encourages urban sprawl, creates barriers and risks the personal safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

4. One of the biggest obstacles keeping people from switching from their automobiles to sustainable, active modes of transportation—walking, cycling—is safety. Quite frankly, automobiles preclude the emergence of other modes of transportation by their limiting their access and threatening their safety. In order to get people to choose sustainable climate-friendly modes of transportation, the safety issue must be addressed.

One of Steve’s recent legislative successes is the Bill Dooley Bicycle Safety Act, named after a Black Minnesotan who dedicated much of his life to making cycling accessible to diverse communities. This bill, carried by Steve, put Minnesota at the leading edge of bicycle, and pedestrian safety—especially for children and their safe routes to school. Signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz, now we have:

• Bicycle safety programs in schools
• Two new bike routes added to the state network
• A revived citizens advisory board for non-motorized transportation
• Federal transportation funds directed specifically to non-motorized transportation and to the safe routes to school program
• The “Idaho stop” which allows cyclists to proceed through stop signs without the requirement to come to a complete stop.
• Rules establishing the space motorists must yield to cyclists on roadways.

By making “active” transportation safer with the Bill Dooley Bicycle Safety Act, Steve is helping Minnesotans (especially our youngest) make the sustainable choice to switch to active modes of transportation. In addition to the immediate mitigation of carbon emissions, this legislation makes neighborhoods safer, the air and water cleaner, the natural areas quieter, and make it safer for all of us to enjoy outdoor activities. Thank you, Steve. Keep up the good work!

4) Bush Lake Commitment to Conservation Award- Given to an individual or organization inside or outside the organization that has contributed to restoration, habitat, and conservation in Minnesota.

Julia Bohnen serves as a researcher at the Restoration Ecology & Invasion Biology Department at the Larkin Lab at the University of Minnesota. She manages the Ecological Restoration training program and invasive Phragmites surveillance, control, and research efforts. The University’s Invasive Phragmites program is likely our state’s most successful invasive species Early Detection and Rapid Response Program, taking invasive phragmites head on, finding and removing populations of this species before it becomes widespread. Non-native phragmites is a very large, aggressive grass that has taken over many square miles of shoreland and wetland in other areas of the world. If only we had a program like this for all of our invasive species! The Ecological Restoration training program has trained hundreds of practitioners who are now out in the field restoring land and water and protecting our states biodiversity for years to come. This year’s Bush Lake Commitment to Conservation Award goes to Julia Bohnen, and we thank her for her dedication and excellent work protecting our natural resources.

5) Youth Conservation Award- Awarded to youth for their outstanding contributions to the Chapter, conservation, or the environment.

Felix Malcolm-Manzoni is a remarkable young leader whose passion for environmental stewardship and community education is truly inspiring. At just 13 years old, Felix has made significant strides in promoting soil health and ecological awareness. He began this journey at the age of 9 as a volunteer on the Linden Hills abandoned trolley path healthy soil demonstration site, not only helping regenerate the land but also educating others about the importance of healthy soil and mycorrhizal fungi as a keynote speaker at numerous youth workshops and community events.

Felix's commitment extends beyond his local community. For the past three years he has represented the Land Stewardship Project (LSP) at the Department of Agriculture’s “Dig It” exhibit, putting in long hours and captivating audiences with his knowledge and enthusiasm. In the winter of 2023, he showcased regenerative landscaping and native plants at the Minnesota Science Museum. His role as a Southwest community education instructor during the pandemic, his musical performance at the Linden Hills Festival presenting the song he wrote about healthy soil when he was 10 years old, and his efforts in transitioning gardens to support pollinators highlight his innovative approach to environmental advocacy. With upcoming roles in the world premiere of "Seniorita Mariposa" that opens September 19th about the journey of a Monarch butterfly from Canada to Mexico and continued work as a youth environmentalist such as visiting the Boundary Waters each summer and speaking to elementary school classes, Felix exemplifies the spirit of ecological leadership and dedication. This year’s Bush Lake Youth Conservation Award goes to Felix Malcolm Manzoni. Felix, thank you- and keep up the great work!

Bush Lake Chapter IWLA Awards 2023

1) Chapter Volunteer of the Year Award- for member with outstanding contributions to the chapter in 2023

This year’s Chapter Volunteer of the Year Award goes to Glenn Corliss- John Crampton stole/recruited Glenn from the Minnesota Valley Chapter. We don’t think Glenn has missed a volunteer event in the 3 years he’s been a member. He has a can-do attitude, is quick to lend a hand, and is a great guy to work with. We know that Glenn stays busy with other volunteering too, so we appreciate his dedication to the Ikes and our Chapter. Thanks Glenn!

2) Gordy Bratsch Award- This award is named after our old neighbor, Gordy Bratsch, who was the “unofficial caretaker”- he was committed to keeping Bush Lake clean and the Chapter running smoothly. This award is given to a member that contributes to the chapter and the environment, year after year.

It is fitting that we give this year’s Gordy Bratsch award to Steve Dale, as Steve was also neighbors with Gordy, and could probably share some stories! Steve is our neighbor up the road and has been for many years. Steve always donates food and drink for our events that help sustain our volunteers. He can always be counted on to support our mission and our conservation programs. Steve is also a great neighbor of the lake and has a very large native prairie and shoreline buffer that is maintained, so it can thrive and provide habitat for pollinators and other wildlife, while protecting water quality in the lake. Steve is kept busy with his two young grandsons that live next door to him, along with his daughter Katie and her husband Patrick. Thanks for being a great member and neighbor, Steve!

3) Public Good Award- Award given to non-profit, city or public staff or elected officials for their outstanding contributions to water quality, conservation, and the environment.

This year’s Public Good Award goes to the Friends of Minnetonka Parks. This is recently formed group has already done tremendous work restoring public parks in Minnetonka and advocating for wildlife habitat and conservation, and educating the public on these important topics. They have been able to build community support and engage many volunteers in restoring public land in Minnetonka. I encourage you to check out their cool website where they restoration resources, volunteer events, and more. The Bush Lake Chapter would like to thank the Friends of Minnetonka Parks for their incredible efforts in restoring and preserving public lands for people and wildlife alike.

4) Bush Lake Commitment to Conservation Award- Given to an individual or organization inside or outside the organization that has contributed to restoration, habitat, and conservation in Minnesota.

This year’s Bush Lake Commitment to Conservation Award goes to Dan Shaw.  Dan is the go to guy for all things restoration ecology in Minnesota. Many of the practices and restoration methods we have used on our Chapter property, Dan had something to do with.

For the Board of Water and Soil Resources and the State of Minnesota, Dan is the Senior Ecologist and Vegetation Specialist. He also teaches ecology courses at the University of Minnesota. He has written and illustrated several ecology-focused publications. He has helped to create and coordinate numerous conservation programs, focusing on native vegetation, invasive species management, pollinator habitat, habitat-friendly solar, water management and climate resiliency. He has taught many students who you can now find working as professionals in the field, restoring land and water throughout the state. One of Dan’s most recent and most successful programs is Lawns to Legumes, which encourages Minnesotans to provide pollinator habitat in their own backyards. Dan is a legend in the conservation and botany world in Minnesota.  We are all better off, and our cherished natural resources are much better off, thanks to Dan, his hard work, and his commitment to conservation.

5) Youth Conservation Award- Awarded to youth for their outstanding contributions to the Chapter, conservation, or the environment.

This year’s Youth Conservation Award goes to Camille Morton. Camille is a freshman at Purdue University. She is the founding President of the Minnesota River Valley’s Green Crew. She currently serves on the Minnesota Valley’s Board of Directors. She co- chaired a committee for the Minnesota Division and was appointed as Minnesota Valley Chapter’s representative to the Minnesota Division Board.

Camille was one of three Green Crew members who attended this summer’s national convention in Nebraska. In her presentation, she challenged attendees to add youth to their chapter, state and national leadership teams.

For outstanding character, dedication and volunteer leadership, Camille truly deserves the 2023 Bush Lake Izaak Walton League Youth Conservation Award.