News : Izaak Walton League serves as a place for kids, and adults

The Izaak Walton League has put a lot of effort into the land just north of town. Several areas of the land have been returned to its natural state eliminating some of the invasive plants that had grown in the area. The area is roughly 80 acres and is available through the league for target practice for those that might that need a place to shoot.

The Izaak Walton League is part of a conservation effort to restore, and promote the sustainable use and enjoyment of natural resources, including soil, air, woods, waters, and wildlife. Izaak Walton has restored several acres into natural prairies.

The goal of the league is to encourage people to participate in outdoor recreation and to protect natural resources for future generations.

Several activities happen at the league each week. Part of the visitors includes the Red Cedar Shooters. Lead by Scott Bahmann there is a group of 71 students who shoot clay pigeons and compete with other schools. The students range in ages from pre-middle school through high school. Izaac Walton has room for up to 10 shooters at a time.

Dan Hill and Jay Lash share with the Izaak Walton League about activities the local troop they lead have participated in thanks to the league.

Jay Lash and Dan Hill have used the space for Boy Scouts to gather. As Hill said, it gives the boys a chance to "get out of town and just run off that energy." The Scouts have used the location for several opportunities to earn their badges.

The Izaak Walton League helps to support area land conservation in the area as well. The league operates in part from an annual gift from a trust fund that was established by the Edna Shain Endowment Fund for the league which uses a small percentage of its growth each year.

Bill Keller shares plans for the upcoming year.

Some of the activities planned for this year include plans to set up steel shoots which Bill Keller explained are for those that have pistols and want to shoot which is another hot competition in Iowa. There is a set of 5 steel plates, with a box for the shooter to stand in, then the shooter has 30 seconds to hit all of the plates, a perfect time is made up of very little time and ammo used, and of course, hitting the targets. If not, you just do a lot of shooting Keller said with a chuckle. There is also some precision shooting for .22 rifles as well, so there are plans to get some of that set up.

The League is welcoming new members to join them as they preserve, protect and continue to make the area available to area children and adults.

To join the Izaak Walton League you can simply email Pres.redcedar@gmail.com or feel free to contact Keller at 319-640-5532.