News

It’s Our 100th Anniversary!  Izaak Walton League of North Manchester

The North Manchester Chapter of the Izaak Walton League was chartered in March 1926, and this year we celebrate our 100th anniversary of service within the community.

About The IWLA

The Izaak Walton League of America is a national organization founded in 1922 with over 240 local chapters, most located in the eastern and midwestern states.  With future generations in mind, the League has served as a leading defender of clean air and water, healthy fish and wildlife habitat and natural resource conservation.  The IWLA has played a large role in the adoption of the nation’s most essential, bedrock conservation laws and policies.  Our organization is named for Izaak Walton, an English author who first linked conservation with outdoor recreation in his classic book titled “The Compleat Angler”, written in 1653.

Today the League’s work continues to focus on volunteering, science, local conservation, and shaping policy, always striving for practical solutions. Priorities at local, state and national levels include 1) connecting youth with the outdoors, 2) conserve and restore habitat,  3) ensure America’s waters are clean and safe, 4) engage more people in outdoor recreation. The League’s Mission is “To conserve, restore and promote the sustainable use and enjoyment of our natural resources, including soil, air, woods, water, and wildlife”. 

About The Local Chapter

The North Manchester Chapter is located on 19 acres just north of Liberty Mills.  Most of our property is wooded, with a clubhouse, pond, mowed fields, and several shooting ranges.  Prior to acquiring the property in the 1950’s, chapter members met downtown North Manchester.   Records of past membership roles read like a “who’s who” in North Manchester at the time.  Many prominent citizens actively participated and served as chapter officers, especially during the first 50 years of our history.  

Chapter projects include: annual tree seedling giveaway, hunter education classes by the Indiana DNR, support for Boy Scouts, literature for the library, river cleanups, student scholarships, firearm safety instruction, plantings for pollinators, and conservation related programs open to the public.  The “turkey shoots” held each fall are well-known fundraisers, family friendly and everyone is welcome.  Our members are a diverse group of individuals brought together by a passion for the great outdoors - we enjoy activities such as hiking, boating, fishing, hunting, birdwatching, target shooting, camping.  Chapter meetings are held at the clubhouse on the second Wednesday of each month, beginning at 7pm.  Membership inquiries may be made at any meeting, or to any chapter member, or by mail to: 1970 W  900 N, North Manchester, IN 46962.