Mission Statement:  To conserve, maintain, protect and restore the soil, forest, water and other natural resources of the United States and other lands; to promote the means and opportunities for the education of the public with respect to such resources and their enjoyment and wholesome utilization.

 

We invite you to join to help advance the conservation mission of the Bush Lake Chapter, and also to enjoy the beautiful lake and natural recreational areas that our natural setting provides.

 

On the shores of Bush Lake since 1937, our chapter members have helped advance projects and programs locally, state-wide and nationally to protect clean water, wetlands, forest and wilderness, preserve and restore wildlife habitat, encourage cleaner and renewable energy production, and promote the sustainable use of natural resources so they can also provide for the needs of future generations.  We ask that you join and help us continue this common-sense conservation legacy!

 

Bush Lake Chapter membership provides year-round access to our chapter's beautiful property, with opportunities for swimming, paddling, wildlife watching, fishing, hiking, picnicking and relaxation.  Membership also provides opportunities for reserving canoe storage (an additional $90/year, if rental space is available) and reserving use of our rustic lodge (dependent upon availability).

 

Our local chapter is a non-profit charitable organization, composed entirely of volunteers.  Maintaining and restoring our chapter property and fulfilling the conservation mission of the Izaak Walton League requires a lot of combined efforts.  Our organization depends on individual members taking personal responsibility for use of the chapter facilities and also doing their fair-share of the conservation work that needs to be done to fulfill our mission and remain a viable organization.  Volunteer opportunities will be communicated to you through email, social media and this website (see 'Support' - 'Volunteer').

 

Some of our chapter's focus areas are:

 

- "Getting Kids Outdoors' Campaign: through classes, scholarships, events

- Community Outreach:  providing public education classes, events, info booths, etc.

- Upgrades/Maintenance: wildlife habitat restoration, completion of a rain garden and shoreland stabilization project, etc.

There are a limited number of 2024 Bush Lake Chapter Memberships available.  If you fully support our organization's natural resources conservation mission and if you can help advance our organization's natural resources conservation mission, please consider joining!

If you would like to just join the National Organization, and not the Bush Lake Chapter, you can visit www.iwla.org

For 2024, we offer two annual Chapter membership levels with expectations of member involvement in at least two Chapter-identified volunteer activities:

- Individual (1 adult / 1 vote / 1 gate-key)     $125/calendar year

 

- Individual & Spouse (2 votes / 2 gate-keys) $140/calendar year

If Membership Application/Renewal is still open, visit the "Membership Application" page, listed above under "Become a Member", to begin the application process.

Chapter dues includes membership in the Minnesota Division of the Izaak Walton League of America, as well as the national organization of the Izaak Walton League of America.

 

Chapter membership will also keep you informed of issues and activities at the state and national level, including 'the Waltonian' newsletter and the award-winning 'Outdoor America' magazine.

Regarding canoe rack rental - another option on Bush Lake are the City's Canoe Racks at West Bush Lake Park - find more info here: https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/pr/rentals-and-reservations