2024 Iowa Division Awards
We would like acknowledge and thank Lisa McIntyre and her brother Craig McIntyre for organizing the awards and the ceremony. Also, we are extremely grateful to Linn County chapter member, Paul Jenkins for capturing all of the recipients receiving their awards, editing and creating the videos.
Awards—
Fish & Game Officer of the Year—
A plaque is presented to a DNR Conservation Officer that has upheld the fishing and gaming laws in your area and has been involved in the betterment of your community.
Terry Nims, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEnMcJD6df8
Beverly McCrindle “Cleaner Streams Award”—
A plaque is presented in recognition for an accomplishment in water pollution abatement in any of the following areas: industrial, municipal, or agricultural.
Chris Henning, Panora Conservation Chapter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVghkAm4FQw
Iowa Honor Roll Award—
This award is designed to recognize non-members (groups or individuals) who have achieved outstanding accomplishments involving conservation, public education, or publicity efforts in keeping with the League’s goals.
Crawford County Conservation, Chris Gorsuch, Director
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdvaBzJ611M
Iowa Farmers Union, Mike Carberry & Chris Henning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJghu2eXje0
Irvine Prairie, Cathy Irvine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKZQjhGKHOk
Teacher of the Year—
This award is presented to a teacher in conservation education in the school system. A summary of conservation activities of what they have done in the past 1-3 years, 2021 -2024.
Jay Gorsh, University of Iowa’s School of the Wild
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTwoxJxsceg
Ries Tuttle Communication Award—
This award is presented to a person or organization that best exemplifies the goals of the League by informing people of conservation needs and issues. Or by providing information to the conservationist through newspapers, radio, TV, lectures, photographic display, or social media.
Neil Hamilton— Author, Professor Emeritus of the Drake Agricultural Law Center
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdBmTFyCrDk
Harry Jessen, West Central Chapter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGMBCoYQqjQ
Rookie of the Year—
This award is given to a new chapter member who has shown outstanding work during their first three years as a member.
Kyle Fischer, Linn County
Alan Clayton, Red Cedar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnh6iqOv9KU
Lori Hamilton, Warren County
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l350m_M-VqI
Gage Miller, West Central
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgHTCR_oR2s
2024 Conservation Award—
This award is given to a member of the league in recognition of their contributions to conservation work. Some portion of the work must be done during the preceding calendar year and must be done in conservation activities other than membership.
Larry Grill, West Central Chapter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWGWf5ysi_M
Soil Conservationist of the Year—
This awarded is presented to a landowner who has shown advanced practices in soil conservation. This may be through terracing, no-till, ponds, wildlife plantings, etc… A summary of these activities and chapter nomination are required.
Todd Jepson, West Central Chapter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7GFlTO1jXo
Mike Delaney, Panora Conservation Chapter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU9rRCMjn2E&t=92s
Leopold Chapter Conservation Award—
(James Lawton Childs Award) this award recognizes the chapter that has carried out the most outstanding conservation program(s) during the past year. (Must be more than membership meetings.) (Aldo Leopold, 1887- 1948 was born in Burlington, IA. was an American author, philosopher, naturalist, scientist, ecologist, forester, conservationist, and environmentalist.
Considered by many to be the father of wildlife ecology and the United States’ wilderness system, Aldo Leopold was a conservationist, forester, philosopher, educator, writer, and outdoor enthusiast. Among his best-known ideas is the “land ethic,” which calls for an ethical, caring relationship between people and nature.)
Mike Delaney, Panora Conservation Chapter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Msj0UQC1IOs&t=4s
West Central Chapter, Jack Johnson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Msj0UQC1IOs&t=4s
Hall of Fame Award—
To commemorate those Iowa Izaak Walton League members whose dedication to the League and its objectives is so superlative they deserve to be memorialized. Neither long-term membership nor single achievement, however great, shall be sufficient for this award. The minimum requirement is long and devoted service to the league’s beliefs which result in a record of truly outstanding accomplishment. This requires nomination from a chapter.****
Lisa McIntyre, Warren County
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV7vzQtNbMw
Special Award—
Paul Lepisto, Regional Conservation Coordinator of Missouri River Initiative- MRRIC
2024 Best Improved Website—
This award is presented to a chapter judged to have created and/or maintained the most effective website during the past year in terms of appearance, originality, timeliness, and news coverage. Focused on local chapter events but also provided information about Iowa Division and National news, as well as community-related conservation topics.
Aaron Staker, State Division
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skA4WwwycWQ