Iowa Izaak Walton League

10/20/2026

10/19/2026

October 20, 2026 | Watershed Talks —
Scouting for Clean Water: Empowering Iowa's Youth

📅 EVENT DETAILS
Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM Central Time (CT)
Location: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/VkouU2P
Cost: FREE and open to all.

Join us this month, we’re dedicating our Watershed Talks to exploring the process of establishing youth water monitoring teams in Central Iowa and beyond. We understand that many community members and youth leaders are eager to learn how to get started.

Recently, we met Donni Popejoy, who specifically wanted to involve her Girl Scout troop in this initiative. Her scouts are passionate about waterways and are eager to learn more about water pollution and its sources, including urban and rural runoff chemicals, road salt, and other factors that harm our local streams and drinking water.

FEATURED SPEAKERS & DISCUSSED PROGRAMS
To facilitate this discussion, Samantha Puckett (Clean Water Program Director) will join Girl Scout troop leader and National Council Delegate Donni Popejoy to share valuable information on developing a youth team to monitor streams for water pollution at its source.

We are also excited to expand this powerful concept across regions and scouting organizations:

Matt Hill (CEO of the Scouting America Mid-Iowa Council) will join the conversation to discuss incorporating these vital clean water initiatives into broader scouting programs.
Shelley Morgan (a board member for both the Izaak Walton League Ottumwa Chapter and the Iowa State Division) will share her perspective as a fellow scout leader eager to bring this program to Southeast Iowa.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
The Izaak Walton League, founded on clean water, has a long-standing “Save Our Streams” program that has been in existence for over 50 years. Two of the specific community-science opportunities that will be part of this session are Nitrate Watch and Salt Watch.

We believe that this discussion will be valuable and informative for anyone interested in engaging youth in community-based stream water monitoring. During the session, participants will gain insights into the Izaak Walton League’s educational resources. Engaging and educating our youth in monitoring local waterways is a crucial step in ensuring the long-term sustainability of our communities.

👉 Register here to receive your secure Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/VkouU2P

10/16/2026

🌿 Meet Our Board: Spotlight on Mark Pranger! 🌿

We are thrilled to celebrate a familiar face taking on an exciting new leadership role in our organization! In 2026, Mark Pranger was elected to the Iowa Division Board as a State Director. 🦅🐟🌲

Mark’s deep connection to the outdoors started early, growing up in Clinton, Iowa, where he spent his youth fishing and hunting. In 2021, he brought that passion to the Des Moines Chapter, where he has been a powerhouse of volunteer energy ever since. He has already served our local chapter in several vital roles, including Director, Secretary, and 1st VP of Membership.

Mark doesn't just hold titles—he rolls up his sleeves to make a real impact on our community and environment:

📌 Educating Future Generations: He is heavily involved in teaching Hunter Education Classes, ensuring the next generation practices safe, ethical sportsmanship.

📌 Bringing People Together: He organizes our popular Wild Game Feed and steps up to assist with chapter events year-round.

📌 Citizen Science: Mark acts as a protector of our local watersheds by collecting water quality data and posting the results to the Clean Water Hub.

As State Director, Mark is looking forward to traveling the state, meeting members across Iowa, and learning about the incredible programs being run by different chapters.

Please join us in congratulating Mark on his election! The next time you see him at a chapter event or a state meeting, be sure to say hello and share what your local chapter is working on.

Thank you for everything you do for conservation, Mark! 💚

10/14/2026

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10/08/2026

10/08/2026

🌿 Meet Our Board- Doug Pooch: Bringing the Voice of Agriculture to Conservation 🌾

A Lifetime Rooted in Iowa’s Soil, Streams, and Community
This week, we’re proud to introduce our newly elected Iowa Division Board Member, National Director, and Des Moines Chapter President—Doug Pooch!

With a lifetime of production agriculture experience and an "all-in" dedication to the Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA), Doug is on a mission to ensure the voices of farmers and conservationists work hand-in-hand to protect Iowa’s natural resources.

🚜 Growing Up Outdoors
Doug's connection to the League runs deep. His earliest memory of the IWLA is accompanying his dad to the trap shooting range at the Oakdale Chapter in Renwick, in northern Iowa.

This was just down the road from his family’s Wright County farm, where he was lucky to grow up with a 10-acre man-made pond, a running creek, and the Boone River winding straight through their pastures. Doug and his siblings spent their childhood completely outdoors—fishing in the pond, wading in the creek, and searching for clams in the river.

Later, his grandfather Leonard—a farmer and the Humboldt County Conservation Director—taught him the vital mechanics of land stewardship. From Leonard, he learned how to control wind and water erosion in the fields, how to properly fertilize crops, and how to rotate pastures sustainably for hogs, sheep, cattle, and dairy cows.

🌱 A 50-Year Legacy in Agriculture
After spending four years at Iowa State University studying Agricultural Education, Doug transitioned into the seed business. This launched a distinguished 50-year career working with some of the biggest, baddest, and best seed companies in the world.

⭕ Coming Full Circle & Going "All-In"
In 2018, his connection to the League came full circle when his son, John, was married at the Des Moines Chapter House. Being back at the chapter house rekindled Doug's lifelong passion for combining agriculture and conservation, prompting him to officially join.

True to his nature, when Doug joins something, he goes completely all-in:
-2019: Elected to the Des Moines Chapter Board as Secretary
-2021: Elected Chapter President (a role he proudly holds today)
-Spring 2026: Elected to the Iowa Division Board and named National Director

🌾 Bridging the Rural-Urban Divide
While the Des Moines Chapter is highly urban, Doug has worked hard to keep it connected to its agricultural roots. Under his leadership, the chapter has strengthened its tradition of Farmer Appreciation Night.

During this special event, the chapter invites local farmers who have cooperated in hunting, fishing, and conservation efforts to attend as guests. It serves as a powerful way to promote and celebrate farmers who are doing the right things for our water, wildlife, woodlands, and open spaces.

As National Director, Doug's ultimate goal is to bring the voice of Farmers and Agriculture to the table alongside the diverse experiences of all other members. Together, we make a difference!

🛠️ Spotlight on Service: The Hands-On Heart of the Des Moines Chapter Thank You, Doug!

A strong chapter relies on incredible leadership, but it truly thrives because of hands-on dedication. In addition to guiding our chapter's vision, Doug Pooch dedicates countless hours to the physical structure of the Des Moines Chapter House itself!
Keeping an active chapter facility beautiful, safe, and sustainable takes an immense amount of behind-the-scenes care. By working closely with the Des Moines Chapter staff to maintain and improve our physical facilities, Doug's tireless hard work ensures our chapter remains welcoming and strong for generations to come.

Thank you, Doug, for being both a visionary leader and the hands-on force behind our mission! 🛠️💪

💚 Meet the People Behind the Mission
Our story is a reminder that conservation is built from the ground up—through protecting our land and waters, celebrating the farmers who steward the soil, and honoring the dedicated volunteers who maintain the places we gather.

Thank you for your continued membership and support of the Iowa Division of the Izaak Walton League of America! 🦅🐟🌲

10/08/2026

REMINDER: ONE WEEK LEFT TO COMMENT!

The EPA is proposing to eliminate Clean Water Act protections for nearly all of our nation's wetlands and the vast majority of rivers and streams that do not flow continuously year-round. Healthy rivers and wetlands are essential to healthy communities.

Act now: Tell the EPA you oppose eliminating Clean Water Act protections for our wetlands and streams.

Submit a comment by Oct. 9: iwla.org/advocate