Izaak Walton League of America

About Us

Who We Are


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.

What We Stand For


Clean Water

Healthy Soil

Climate Solutions

Community Science

Outdoor Recreation

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Our Recent Work

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News from the Missouri River Initiative: June 2024


This month on the Missouri River: extreme flooding affects the basin, families enjoy outdoor events, and the League prepares for a river cleanup.

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Seeking the Source: What Could Be Causing Salt Pollution in the Spring?


When waterways are polluted with salt in the winter, it’s usually obvious where the problem is coming from: excessive use of de-icers on roadways and parking lots. When volunteers continue finding chloride contamination in the spring, they have to do more detective work. Our clean water advocates in Cleveland are continuing to see toxic levels of salt as the weather warms, and we’re investigating why.

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Agriculture Resilience Act

The Cedar River Showdown and Cleanup of 1924


In 1924, Will Dilg, the League’s first president, urged chapters along Iowa’s polluted Cedar River to collaborate and present the problem to the state’s Board of Health. Chapters agreed - and won their case.

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Three Things You Can Do Right Now

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Celebrate the Upper Mississippi Refuge Anniversary


The modern conservation movement was kick-started in 1924 when Will Dilg, the first president of the Izaak Walton League, created a campaign to save fish and wildlife habitat along nearly 300 miles of the Upper Mississippi River. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of what would become the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, performer Steven Marking created a film, “A Visit from Will Dilg."

Learn about film screening opportunities

Agriculture Resilience Act

2024 National Convention


At our 2024 convention, the League will focus on our historic mission to protect the nation’s great waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay, and discuss how we can take action today to secure a better future. We will also host a special event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the League’s 1924 achievement of establishing the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.

Learn more

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Join Nitrate Watch


Our Nitrate Watch program is proving the importance of participatory science. Join the growing number of volunteers across the country who are working to address this water pollution problem and public health hazard.

Get your free test kit

Support Our Work

Donate Now to Secure the Future of Conservation!


Stand with us to defend outdoor America's future. Together, we can protect healthy natural resources, pristine landscapes and our outdoor traditions. Your gift will be put to work immediately to continue building on the Izaak Walton League's legacy of conservation leadership.

Support our work

League members working on conservation project

Join the League


For more than 100 years, the Izaak Walton League has worked very effectively to achieve practical policies that balance conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Please help us find common-sense solutions to today's serious environmental problems.

Join the League as a national member to support our conservation and advocacy work.

Become a member

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Support the Clean Water Act of 2023!


The Clean Water Act of 2023 would ensure that wetlands and streams are protected water resources. It would also reaffirm our nation's commitment to safeguarding water quality. Urge Congress to support H.R. 5983 today!

Take action now

Izaak Walton League of America

© 2015 Izaak Walton League of America

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