Bush Lake Chapter - Izaak Walton League of America upcoming events

Chapter Fundraiser - Nurture Nature (04/22/2026)

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Help us Nurture Nature with supporting our conservation and restoration efforts!

Donate online or send a check. Get started by clicking here! All donations are tax deductible.

For over 25 years the Bush Lake Chapter has been providing wildlife habitat and protecting water quality by ecologically restoring our 5-acre property. We manage invasive plants and weeds and plant beautiful native plants, trees, and shrubs. This provides food and shelter for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife, and also makes our grounds a beautiful place for our members and their guests to enjoy.

Following up on some recently completed prescribed burns, our next step is to bring in some professional restorationists. For a couple of decades we've been battling some particularly persistent invasive plant species like Leafy Spurge, Crown Vetch, European Bellflower , etc. The goal of this fundraiser is to raise enough funds to hire experienced native plant restoration professionals to conduct targeted invasive plant species control at the Chapter in 2026.

Every dollar counts! Depending on how much money we raise, your donation may be used for:

Hiring a restoration company at the Chapter in 2026
Purchasing additional native plants and seed and materials used for restoration management
Preventing the introduction and spread of invasive plants and animals
Promoting and protecting pollinators, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and other wildlife
Getting kids and adults outdoors, and environmental education for our community and others

Donate online or send a check- Click Here

All donations are tax deductible. We thank you for your support!

Learn more by watching this short video- click here

Podclub - Public Lands Under Threat (08/06/2026)

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Join The Young Ike Podcast for a special Podclub event at the Bush Lake Ikes Lodge on August 6 at 7:00 p.m.

Bring a friend - this is an important issue!

This quarter's theme for the podcast is Public Lands Under Threat—a timely exploration of the challenges facing America's public lands and the future of conservation in the United States.

Think of this Podclub model as a book club, but for an environmental podcast. Participants will listen to curated excerpts from interviews with conservation leaders, journalists, and public lands advocates from across the country, followed by a guided community discussion led by The Young Ike Podcast host and fellow Ike, Griffith Pugh.

Learn more and listen to an episode from the Public Lands Under Threat interviews at: https://linktr.ee/theyoungike

Bush Lake Chapter Annual Member Meeting (09/19/2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Come one, come all to the Bush Lake Chapter's Annual Member Meeting! Saturday, September 19th, 2-5pm. Meet your fellow Ikes, hear a Chapter update, honor conservation and Chapter champions, watch or participate in the canoe race, and eat some good food!

Please register to help with planning- it's quick and easy.

Chapter News and Updates
Annual Member Meeting, Board Election, & Awards
Almost Annual Canoe Race
Potluck- Please bring a dish or hors d'oeuvres to share. Chapter will provide tableware and non-alcoholic beverages.
Compost and recycling will be available- let's try to make it a zero-waste event!
Please bring lawn chairs. Event will be held outside, weather permitting.

Canoe Race: If you would like to participate in the canoe race, please bring lifejackets (using your own canoes), and please do not drink alcoholic beverages before or during the race.

We hope to see you there! Contact the Chapter President, Rick Wheeler, with questions.

Mushrooms 101 (09/20/2026)

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Join us for Mushrooms 101 presented by Erica Tava Johnson, Education Chair of the Minnesota Mycological Society. The Minnesota Mycological Society has been studying and teaching about fungi since 1899, and this program is designed for beginners; no prior mushroom knowledge needed.

Erica will give an introduction to the world of fungi, covering what mushrooms are, the roles they play in our woods, and how to begin identifying common Minnesota species using a few simple, repeatable steps. She will bring physical specimens for close examination. September is the prime season for mushrooms, so there may be some tasty treats she's prepared to share.

After the presentation, weather permitting, we will head outside for a short foray — a group walk where we stop, observe, and practice identifying the fungi growing right here on chapter grounds. Mushrooms found along the way can be identified on the spot or brought back to the lodge for a closer look together.

Members of all experience levels are welcome. Bring your curiosity and comfortable walking shoes.

Open to the Public.