Iowa Division of the Izaak Walton League
The Iowa Division offers a community of outdoor lovers dedicated to protecting the future of conservation and outdoor adventure.
🌿 Meet Our Board: Shelley Morgan A Lifetime of Youth, Community & Conservation
Our Mission
The Iowa Izaak Walton League was founded to conserve, restore, and promote the sustainable use and enjoyment of our natural resources, including soil, air woods, waters and wildlife.
Furthermore, our special objective across the State shall be the preservation and restoration of the natural resources of the State of Iowa.
We promote, directly and through Chapters, true sportsmanship, and the principles of a broad, practical conservation program.
Upcoming Watershed Talks
Tuesday ~ October 20 @ 7 pm CT via
Tuesday ~ November 17 @ 7 pm CT via Zoom
One farm. Two generations. 1,150 miles. One powerful story.
From Pinhook Farm, Iowa to the Gulf:
With Privilege Comes Responsibility
What does a farmer discover when he follows the water from his own fields all the way to the Gulf of Mexico?
Our Latest Episode
Watershed Talks
This monthly virtual series is a project of the Iowa Division of the Izaak Walton League of America, with rotating co-hosts from other Iowa Chapters. We feature guests for 30-40 minute presentations that shed daylight on good works done in Iowa watersheds. In this way we uplift our shared goals for cleaner water, a healthy environment, and kinder communities.
Iowa Division Voices
The Iowa Division in 2026 will be focused heavily on Water Quality and ensuring our Streams are safe for all Iowans. Conservation starts here!
What We Do Today
Clean Water Promotion
- Several “citizen scientist” programs including Save our Streams (SOS), Nitrate Watch and Salt Watch.
- Private and public well water monitoring education
- Public outreach to emphasis the IWLA Vision
Healthy Soil promotion
- Farm Bill input for sustainable practices
- Soil run-off prevention
- Public outreach to emphasis the IWLA Vision
Conservation
- Statewide promotion of conservation efforts
- Iowa outdoor advocacy
- Habitat restoration
- Hunting, fishing and outdoor sporting opportunities
- Youth education
Divisional Support for Chapters Across Iowa
- Officers support and development
- Define statewide goals
- Support and promote statewide and local accomplishments
- Promote the development of regular and interesting meetings
- Support Worthwhile chapter and community projects and active participation throughout the state.
39 Amazing Chapters Across Iowa
Across the State we have a diverse group of chapters serving citizens, communties and advocating for Iowa Conservation and Sportsmen for over a hundred years.
Projects
The Iowa Izaak Walton league is committed across the State to improving conservation efforts, land access, habitat restoration.
The Iowa Division is deeply involved in conservation efforts across the State, since 1923 generations of members have worked to keep our outdoor spaces wild and open to the public. The State Division is involved in projects from Decorah to the Loess Hills. Our local chapters across the State are making a difference for the next generation of Iowans.
Volunteers have contributed thousands of hours last year making a difference in virtually every community across the state from Fish Habitat improvement to advocacy in Des Moines we are making a difference where it matters, in your community. Join us!
IOWA UPDATES
New State Report Lists More than 700 Impaired Waters in Iowa
by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 17, 2026 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources released a draft version of its 2026 biennial integrated report Tuesday, which listed more than 700 segments of rivers, lakes or wetlands in the state as impaired. The impaired list looks at retroactive data and determines if a water segment meets, or...
An update from “Soil Matters”
Good to know and Good to share… Conservation Conversations Matter too— Members of Congress and their staff are currently on August Recess, an extended legislative break that brings lawmakers back to their states and districts. Last week, the League, with Kate Hansen and Dale Braun, National Wildlife Federation, with Ben Knuth and Iowa Wildlife...
Upper Mississippi River Refuge Centennial
A century ago, a monumental movement of determined citizens petitioned Congress to create the largest "wild-life preserve" ever in order to save their favorite upper Mississippi River backwaters from being drained and converted to farmland. Spearheading the movement was the charismatic Will Dilg whose newly created Izaak Walton League championed the refuge as its first magnificent achievement.
Members
Chapters
Chapter Projects Since 2000
Events
July 16-17, 2027
2027 Izaak Walton League National Convention
Roanoke, Virginia
Date TBD, 2027
Iowa Division State Annual Meeting
Location TBD
Annual statewide convention, additional details available in early 2027.
Latest from the President
Lisa McIntyre - Iowa Division President
Elected April 26, 2026
Warren County Chapter
Lisa brings decades of experience to the Iowa Division and has been instrumental in a variety of conservation and shooting sports initiatives across the state. Lisa had served as the First Vice President for 3 consecutive terms. Lisa is also a National Director and Serves on the Executive Board for the Izaak Walton League Endowment Fund.
Iowa Division Skills and Conservation Workshop
Thank you for joining us for the Conservation & Skills Workshop at the Dragoon Trail Chapter of the Ankeny Izaak Walton League. We were thrilled by the fantastic turnout and the enthusiasm, engagement, and passion for conservation that each of you brought to the event.
The workshop showcased the diverse strengths of our League and provided opportunities to learn, connect, and share ideas with fellow conservationists from across Iowa. From the morning safety briefing and open Trap & 5-Stand activities to the afternoon discussions on prairie restoration, pollinator conservation, and chapter programming, the day was filled with valuable knowledge and hands-on experiences.
A special thank you goes to our presenters and volunteers for sharing their expertise:
• Pat Neppel for demonstrating the Portable 5-Stand Program and showcasing how chapters can expand shooting sports opportunities.
• Lisa McIntyre for presenting the IWLA Endowment Grant Process and helping attendees better understand available funding resources.
• Mike Delaney for sharing insights on prairie restoration and habitat management.
• Kevin Eppens for leading the beekeeping and pollinator conservation session and highlighting the important role pollinators play in healthy ecosystems.
Events like this are successful because of the willingness of members to learn from one another, share experiences, and support our shared conservation mission. We hope you left with new ideas, practical skills, and valuable connections that will benefit your chapters and communities.
Thank you again for spending your day with us. We look forward to seeing you at future Iowa Division and chapter events.
Be sure to check out the event photos and relive some of the great moments from the day!
With appreciation,
Jim Meek
Ankeny Izaak Walton League – Board Member
Iowa Division – National Director
Iowa Division Vice President-Youth
National Secretary
Watershed Talks ~ October 20, 2026
Scouting for Clean Water: Empowering Iowa’s Youth In October 2026, our Watershed Talks program explored how to empower Iowa’s youth to protect local waterways through hands-on water monitoring and community science. Inspired by Girl Scout troop leader Donni Popejoy...
Meet Iowa Ike Jim Meek
From the Shooting Range to Conservation Leadership When Jim Meek joined the Ankeny Izaak Walton League’s Dragoon Trail Chapter in 2014, he was simply looking for a local place to enjoy rifle and pistol shooting. He never expected that membership would set him on a...
Watershed Talks ~ September 22, 2026
The Living River: Communities, Watersheds & the Future of the Mississippi Featuring Watershed Conservationist: Barry W. Drazkowski This dynamic presentation provided a comprehensive look at the urgent environmental challenges facing the Upper Mississippi and how...
Watershed Talks ~ August 18, 2026
Under the Surface: Inside Iowa's 1987 Landmark Groundwater Protection Act Featuring Former Iowa Legislators: David Osterberg Ralph Rosenberg In August 2026, Watershed Talks explored the history and lasting impact of Iowa’s landmark 1987 Groundwater Protection Act....
Watershed Talks ~ June 16, 2026
Paddling Iowa: 2,200 Miles with Jim Pease From River Trails to Lasting Legacies: A Wildlife Biologist's Journey Jim Pease— Iowa's Treasured Wildlife Biologist Watershed Talks Recap: with Iowa Nature Champion Jim Pease On Tuesday, June 16, we hosted a fascinating...