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

Buckthorn Bust - Ikes Adopt a Woodland (10/12/2026)

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

There's a little more Buckthorn to remove! We estimate we are about 65% done! We are putting on more Buckthorn Bust Days! These are moderate-hard labor - we will be using hand tools on this plot to get rid of the remaining buckthorn and daub on herbicide.

Here's the breakdown:

Oct. 12 (Monday 4:30 pm to dark)

Oct. 13 (Tuesday 1pm to dark)

Dec. 19 (Full day, two shifts: 10am to 12 pm and 1pm to 3pm)

Project Details: We will be working directly with Three Rivers Parks District staff to start our 1/2 acre buckthorn bust immediately north of the Chapter. This project is a direct result of our young Ike, Fall Owens, who created a petition letter. This will connect the buckthorn removal between the Chapter and the 10 acres being restored which will also start this Fall by NMCWD, TRPD, and City of Bloomington.

This is open to all -- we welcome the help from members and non-members to rid the area of this invasive species!

Pumpkin Fest (10/29/2026)

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Celebrate the season with the whole family at the Bush Lake Chapter’s annual Pumpkin Fest on Thursday, October 29, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the Lodge! Enjoy an evening packed with fun activities, including a nature hike scavenger hunt, pumpkin carving, a pumpkin piñata, s'mores around the campfire, and a special guest speaker presentation on bats. Reserve your spot today!