Who We Are
In 1922, The Izaak Walton League was founded in Chicago, Illinois by a group of sportsmen (Chicago Chapter No. 1) who wished to protect fishing opportunities for future generations. They named the league after seminal fishing enthusiast Izaak Walton (1593-1683), known as the "Father of Flyfishing" and author of The Compleat Angler.
Advertising executive Will Dilg became its first president and promoter. The first conservation organization with a mass membership, the League had over 100,000 supporters by 1924. An early result of their efforts was the establishment of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge in 1924.to save outdoor America for future generations.
We are one of the earliest conservation organizations to set an aggressive course to defend wild America by changing public policy. Almost every major, successful conservation program that America has in place today can be traced directly to a League activity or initiative.
The environment is everyone's issue. We believe that America needs smart solutions that are good for the environment and the economy at the same time. Relying on our unique blend of community-based conservation and common-sense advocacy, the League has made significant progress to protect and restore our nation's waters, promote clean energy, and advance sustainable agriculture.
Throughout more than 230 communities, our chapters advance the mission of the Izaak Walton League by restoring watersheds, reducing air pollution, fighting litter, protecting wildlife habitat and open spaces, and instilling conservation ethics in outdoor recreationists. Our commitment to communities has allowed us to endure for almost a century. Our optimism, our spirit, and our vision for a better outdoor America guide our work.
More Information about the Founding of The League can be found in the IWLA publications Born With Fists Doubled: Defending Outdoor America, by William Voight Jr. and the Winter 2012 edition of Outdoor America article, The Roaring 20s: A Call to Action.
