Chapter Overview
The Jack Loso Chapter was founded to honor the life and legacy of Jack Loso, a 19-year-old Mankato State University student who tragically lost his life in a landslide at Minneopa State Park on December 2, 2023. Jack was a kind and gentle spirit who felt most at home in nature. In the wake of unimaginable loss, his family chose to channel their grief into purpose—celebrating Jack’s deep love for the outdoors and the Mankato community he embraced. In partnership with the Minnesota Valley Chapter, they established this new chapter as a living tribute to Jack’s memory, rooted in connection, conservation, and a passion for protecting the natural world.
OUR MISSION:
The Jack Loso Chapter of the Izaak Walton League is dedicated to protecting and restoring our natural environment while empowering the next generation of conservation leaders. Through hands-on projects, community engagement, and our Green Crew youth leadership program, we strive to foster a deep connection to nature, advocate for sustainable practices, and create lasting environmental impact in the Mankato area.
We believe local action drives meaningful environmental change.
Founded in 2024 by Jack Loso’s parents, alongside a passionate group of conservationists and community members, our chapter was created to address a growing need for youth engagement, hands-on environmental projects, and stronger local advocacy for Mankato’s natural spaces.
Our story began with a community-wide effort to plant a native pollinator garden. More than a habitat restoration project, it became a powerful symbol of connection, bringing together people of all ages to experience conservation in action.
Building on this momentum, we’re launching Green Crew. This youth-led initiative empowers the next generation to step into leadership and take an active role in protecting the environment they call home.
From these early seeds of action, we’re growing a vibrant chapter rooted in habitat restoration, clean water initiatives, and sustainable community practices. Our goal is to ensure that Mankato has a strong, unified voice in caring for its natural resources—now and for future generations.
We invite the entire community to join us and contribute to something meaningful, impactful, and lasting. Together, we will shape a chapter that fosters environmental responsibility and makes a real difference in Mankato for generations to come.
Dedication to Conservation
The Jack Loso Chapter of the Izaak Walton League is committed to hands-on conservation, environmental advocacy, and empowering the next generation of environmental leaders. Our work focuses on protecting local ecosystems, engaging the community in sustainability efforts, and fostering youth involvement in conservation.
Local
Conservation Projects
We lead habitat restoration efforts, river clean-ups, and wildlife protection initiatives to preserve Mankato’s natural spaces.
Advocacy & Community Engagement
We collaborate with local leaders, schools, and organizations to advocate for policies that protect our environment and promote sustainable practices.
Youth Programs &
Green Crew
We provide hands-on learning opportunities, leadership development, and outdoor education to inspire young people to become environmental stewards.
History of the Izaak Walton League of America
Protecting Outdoor America
Over the past 100 years, the Izaak Walton League of America has been an extraordinary champion and defender of the nation’s soil, air, woods, waters, and wildlife. Through member-driven bottom-up governance, we’re protecting outdoor America in communities across the country, while working strategically at the national level to win critical conservation battles.