Izaak Walton League -MN Valley Chapter
The Green Crew is the Youth Program of the Izaak Walton League -- MN Valley Chapter
To strive for the purity of water, the clarity of air, and the wise stewardship of the land and its resources; to know the beauty and understanding of nature and the value of wildlife, woodlands, and open space; to the preservation of this heritage and to man's sharing in it. - Izaak Walton Member Pledge
The Izaak Walton League’s Minnesota Valley Chapter launched The Green Crew to inspire and engage youth in conserving and protecting our natural and wild places.
The Izaak Walton League (called the IKE’s) is an American environmental organization founded in 1922 that promotes natural resource protection and outdoor recreation. The organization was founded in Chicago, Illinois, by sportsmen who wished to protect fishing opportunities for future generations. The League currently has over 200 Chapters and 50,000 members throughout the Country.
One of its early successes was the establishment of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge in 1924, which protects the Mississippi River in Wabasha, Winona, and Houston Counties in Minnesota and the watershed in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois.
The MN Division has also taken the lead in protecting the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. From the 1920s until the present day, the IKE’s leadership has been based on partnerships with other organizations and the role of activists who were eminent biologists and ecologists.
The Minnesota Valley Chapter is located on the Minnesota River in Bloomington, Minnesota. It is the steward of the exceptional natural habitat and beauty on its property. It is home to a spring-fed creek, a pond, a wetland, a fascinating floodplain, and almost ¼ mile of Minnesota River frontage. We have deer and turkeys and some great trails to follow. We are open to visitors any day of the week during daylight hours.
Yes, all members — youth and adult — of the Green Crew are members of the Izaak Walton League nationally, the Minnesota Division, and the local MN Valley Chapter.
The Green Crew is overseen by a volunteer Committee of the Board of Directors. This committee includes the Board Chair, the Director of Youth Programming, the Director of Education, and the Green Crew Advisor. Additionally, many members of the Chapter also serve as Consultants to the different Green Crew Projects.
Yes. The Youth Program Committee of the MN Valley Chapter reports monthly to the Board of Directors on the finances and operations of The Green Crew. The Youth Program Committee ensures that the Green Crew meets the vision, mission, goals, and objectives of the program, including but not limited to items associated with youth protection, adult training, fundraising, financial operations.
Yes. The Youth have built a Crew House on the MN Valley Chapter property. Additionally, they meet monthly at the property — a meeting which includes walking the property. Many of the Crew’s adventures are also associated with the MN Valley Chapter property.
