Iowa Izaak Walton League

The Iowa Izaak Walton League offers a community of outdoor lovers dedicated to protecting the future of conservation and outdoor adventure.

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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.

Watershed Talks

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.
Iowa Missisippi River Conservation
Iowa Ikes Youth Conservation Education

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.  See what some of our local chapters are up to.

IOWA UPDATES

2024 Conservation in the Making— @ the Iowa State Fair

“Over the three days that we had a presence in the DNR courtyard our volunteers interacted with over 1500 kids and adults. The kids decorated wooden necklaces and the adults heard about our clean water message. Many adults accepted Nitrate Watch post cards with a link to get a free test kit…” Dale Braun, president Iowa Division The Iowa Izaak...

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

Rivers and the inhabitants of the watery element were made for wise men to contemplate, and fools to pass by without consideration.

 

– Izaak Walton, “The Compleat Angler”

Statewide Events

July 18-19, 2025

2025 Izaak Walton League National Convention

Tundra Lodge Resort, Green Bay, WI

January 11th, 2025

Winter Board Meeting

Emersomn Hough Chapter, Newton, IA

Meeting will cover budget, policy, bylaws, scholarships, 2025 convention, state fair, etc.

Backup Date (Weather) – January 18th

February 8th, 2025

Midwinter Board of Directors Meeting

Virtual Event, 9am CST

Latest from the President

Dale Braun was elected in 2023 and hails from the Linn County Chapter.  He’s a hunter, Iowa DNR Education instructor and has been active with the Izaak Walton league since 1985. 

2024 Conservation in the Making— @ the Iowa State Fair

“Over the three days that we had a presence in the DNR courtyard our volunteers interacted with over 1500 kids and adults. The kids decorated wooden necklaces and the adults heard about our clean water message. Many adults accepted Nitrate Watch post cards with a link...

Quarterly Izaak Walton League Leaders Call

Our next quarterly conference call for Izaak Walton League leaders will be on Thursday, January 4, 2024. Please save the date and plan to join us at 7:30 p.m. Eastern / 6:30 p.m. Central time.  Call Agenda This quarter's agenda will include these topics. 1st Quarter...

2023 Fall Update

September 13, 2023 - Addressed to Chapter Presidents, Board Members & Interested Members By Dale Braun - Iowa Division President By way of introduction, my name is Dale Braun and I was recently elected as President of the Iowa Division. My background with the...