The Izaak Walton League Champions Conservation in Becker County 

Local volunteers carry forward a 1922 conservation legacy through advocacy, education, and partnership. 

The Isaak Walton League of America has worked to protect natural resources since 1922, when a group of Illinois outdoorsmen came together over concerns about water pollution. More than a century later, the organization continues that mission through local chapters across the country—including the Prairie Woods chapter serving Becker County. 

Rooted in Becker County’s Natural Landscape 

In a region defined by its natural beauty—412 lakes and the rare meeting point of three biomes: prairie, deciduous forest, and coniferous woodland—Prairie Woods members see conservation as both a responsibility and a calling. 

“We just have such a great natural environment: 412 lakes and all the beauty that’s associated with that,” said Prairie Woods Chapter President Bill Henke. “If we can’t be voices to better that and foster the health of our water, then heaven help us.” 

Today, the chapter includes more than 30 members who bring diverse backgrounds and a shared commitment to stewardship. For many, the League offers both purpose and belonging. 

“[The Isaak Walton League] aligns with what is important to me,” said Prairie Woods Chapter Membership Director Sandy Gunderson, a former educator and recycling coordinator. “I’m with my people when I’m at these meetings. It has people who care, not just about their environment, but their neighbors too.” 

Advocacy and Education in Action 

That sense of community fuels the group’s advocacy and education work. Members regularly attend Becker County commissioner meetings, draft resolutions, and collaborate with local governments on issues affecting water quality, wildlife habitat, and sustainable land use. Their efforts have helped delay environmentally harmful development projects and reduce the impact of deforestation proposals in the area. 

“[Isaak Walton League] is one of the groups that has to do whatever they can to get people educated and engaged to get things done,” said Prairie Woods Chapter Program Co-Chair Chuck Becker. 

Education remains a cornerstone of their approach. The chapter hosts community events and partners with organizations such as Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge and Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge to increase public awareness about conservation. Members also advocate for practical solutions, including reducing lead in fishing tackle and supporting small-scale agriculture. 

Partnerships That Grow Community Impact 

One recent project highlights the power of partnership. Prairie Woods members collaborated with Scouting America Troop #674, the Boys & Girls Club of Detroit Lakes, and a broad coalition of community partners to create a pollinator garden at Lyle Crovisier Memorial Park supported by a 2025 West Central Initiative Grant. The garden now serves as an outdoor classroom and habitat for native species. 

“It shows what a grassroots organization can do to draw in all these other factions. This brought about some community pride here,” Bill said. 

Through advocacy, education, and partnership, the Prairie Woods chapter demonstrates how local leadership can shape a region’s future. Their meetings are held at the Detroit Lakes Public Library and are open to the public. For members, the work is ongoing—but so is the hope that by showing up and speaking up, they can help protect the lakes, forests, and prairies that define Becker County.