Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown, Iowa is a large historic cemetery with a beautiful lake that is home to many birds. Domestic geese, swans, and a rescue Snow Goose are permanent residents on the lake, and Canada Geese, Mallards, Great Blue Herons, Eagles, etc., visit daily. Generations of families have enjoyed visiting Riverside to see the birds, feed them, and photograph them. Two beautiful new mute swans, sisters named Maggie and Lena, have graced the lake since the spring of 2020.

On October 6, 2021, Lena was found suddenly and unexpectedly lifeless by the side of the lake. Autopsy results revealed a lead fishing sinker lodged in her gizzard, and further testing is currently underway to confirm the preliminary diagnosis of lead poisoning as Lena's cause of death. 

It's common knowledge that exposure to lead is toxic to humans and animals and can result in serious illness and death. Lead fishing tackle is hazardous to our environment and to Iowa's wildlife. Waterfowl can accidentally ingest lead fishing sinkers and die from lead poisoning. A number of states have already banned lead fishing tackle. The United States banned lead shot, for use in hunting waterfowl nationwide, in 1991 because it was toxic. It's time for Iowa to ban lead fishing tackle as well.

Please sign this petition to demand that Iowa legislators pass a law banning lead fishing tackle. Let's do it now, to protect wildlife in the future!