ICNC Members $8; Nonmembers $12. For details & directions, visit http://www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org/    

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Supporters will gather at the Iowa capitol on the afternoon of Monday, Jan 26 to demonstrate public interest in natural resources and outdoor recreation, and encourage lawmakers to actually fund the empty trust fund.

In November 2010, Iowans voted 63%-37% to pass the Iowa's Water and Land Legacy amendment. Passage of the amendment established the Iowa Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, creating a permanent and constitutionally protected funding source for protecting water quality, conserving agricultural soils, and enhancing natural areas, including parks, trails, and fish and wildlife habitat

The next step is to fully fund the Trust to generate the $150 million a year needed to adequately protect the state's natural resources, which can be generated through the dedication of the first 3/8ths of one percent from the next state sales tax increase.

To learn more about 2015 funding efforts and sign on as a supporter:

http://iowaswaterandlandlegacy.org/sections/page/contact-legislators 

More info at Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation

http://www.inhf.org/iwill.cfm 

Contact Marian Riggs Gelb, Public Policy Director, INHF, at 515.288.1846, Ext. 26.  

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The Partnership for River Restoration and Science in the Upper Midwest will host its 6th annual Upper Midwest Stream Restoration Symposium (UMSRS) on February 8-11, 2015 in Dubuque. With stream restoration gaining traction in the Iowa legislature, this will be a unique and convenient opportunity to network with practitioners in our "neighborhood." 

The UMSRS will bring together regional stream restoration practitioners to share experiences and expertise with colleagues working within similar environmental and land-use areas.  Attendees from multi-disciplinary backgrounds will hear about innovative restoration designs and approaches as well as have the opportunity to network with the region's leading stream restoration practitioners. The symposium will include both oral and poster presentations related to stream restoration, including design and related analyses, alternatives analysis, implementation, and monitoring, as well as the planning, regulation, and funding. 

Presentations and presenters for the single-track symposium are being finalized, and all event details will be available shortly at  http://www.prrsum.org/  

Learn more about PRRSUM at  http://www.prrsum.org/content/home 

From Iowa DNR Fisheries:

Paddlefish fishing will return to the Missouri and Big Sioux rivers for the first time since 1986, when the Iowa Department of Natural Resources opens the season on March 1 to April 15. To participate, anglers will need a special Missouri and Big Sioux River paddlefish license - limited to 950 resident and 50 nonresident - that are only on sale from Dec. 15 to Jan. 31. A resident license sells for $22 and nonresident for $42. Anglers must also have a valid Iowa fishing license.

The state record 107 pound paddlefish was caught in the Missouri River in Monona County in 1981. Paddlefish is an ancient species. It doesn't have any bones and eats by straining zooplankton from the water. It reaches maturity at 6 or 7 years of age and can live for 30 years or more. 

To learn more about the paddlefish, its habits, slot limits, and some angling tips, visit

http://www.iowadnr.gov/fishing/ctl/detail/mid/2780/itemid/2353 

Media Contact: Van Sterner, Fisheries Management Biologist, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 712-249-1997.

How to Contact Your Legislator NOW AVAILABLE!

New Iowa legislators were sworn in on Feb 12, and updated contact info for all legislators has been posted at  https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find 

Options include looking up individual legislators for your address, or viewing a full list of senators or representatives, which you can sort by last name or district before printing.

Key Dates & Special Days for 2015 Session of the 86th Iowa General Assembly
Jan 12; First day of Iowa legislative session.

Jan 26; IWILL Day at Iowa Capitol.

Feb 3; IRR Legislative Reception, 5-7 pm, Noodle Zoo Cafe.

Feb 17; REAP Day/IEC Environmental Lobby Day at Capitol.

Mar 4; Trees Forever Tree Day at Iowa Capitol.

May 1; 110th calendar day of the session [Per diem expenses end].

Check for any session timetable updates at https://www.legis.iowa.gov/ 

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The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan political organization which encourages informed and active participation in government and works to increase understanding of major public policy issues. 

Many LWV chapters have already scheduled local legislative forums and other events around the state. To identify a chapter in your area, and learn when & where to attend a scheduled local forum, visit  http://www.lwvia.org/  

The Iowa League of Women Voters identified 6 key issues which will be their legislative priorities for the 2015 session.  They include voter registration modernization, water quality, justice reforms, violence against women, health care, and mental health.

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