Izaak Walton League of America, Inc. HQ
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Agriculture
Efforts by the Izaak Walton League to address soil erosion date to 1937, when the League adopted a resolution calling for a national program to retire fields in mountainous areas from agricultural use. Today, League staff and members continue to advocate farming practices that sustain both natural resources and people.
CONSERVING FARMLAND
More than half of America’s land is used for agriculture. It’s critical that these lands, which provide food for our tables and habitat for wildlife, are managed in a way that balances production with conservation. At the local level, the League educates farmers about ways they can practice stewardship on their land. At the national level, we work to ensure strong legislation and funding to support agricultural conservation programs such as those found in the federal Farm Bill. Our goal is to ensure that American farms produce enough food to feed a growing nation while also conserving soil and water quality, wetlands, and habitat for fish and wildlife.
MANAGING THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER
As an organization with strong roots in the Upper Midwest, protection of the Upper Mississippi River basin has been a key issue for us since we led the fight to create the Upper Mississippi River Fish and Wildlife Refuge in 1924. The Upper Mississippi River is one of the most complex ecosystems on Earth. It provides habitat for 50 species of mammals, 45 species of reptiles and amphibians, 37 species of mussels, and 241 species of fish. The League spearheads efforts to reform the river’s lock-and-dam navigation system to ensure that flows and habitat remain as natural as possible. We also work to reduce agricultural impacts on the river, promote sustainable agriculture practices, and implement farm conservation programs to reduce polluted runoff.
MANAGING THE MISSOURI RIVER
In 2007, League members across three states joined together to create a new initiative that focuses on protecting and restoring the Missouri River. As America’s longest river (2,431 miles), the Missouri spans 10 states. Like the Mississippi River, it faces challenges from both agriculture and navigation. Due to man-made changes of the river’s natural flows, significant habitat for fish and wildlife—including a number of endangered and threatened species—is being degraded. By working with local, state, and federal agencies and other organizations on restoration and recovery of the river, the League is ensuring this national treasure remains intact for future generations.
Clean Water
Clean water is essential to life. Unfortunately, 40 percent of the nation’s assessed streams, lakes, and estuaries are not clean enough to support fishing and swimming. As an organization founded by anglers, the Izaak Walton League believes this is simply unacceptable. That’s why we are committed to improving the health of America’s waterways through local action and national advocacy.
MONITORING AND RESTORING STREAMS
For 40 years, the League’s Save Our Streams program has taught thousands of citizens how to monitor and restore the health of local streams. Guided by our publications, workshops, expert consultation, and other tools, citizens become active stewards of their local waterways. In addition to assessing water quality, our volunteers take action, such as notifying state agencies of pollution problems or planting trees along stream banks to reduce erosion and improve fish habitat.
CONSERVING WETLANDS
Wetlands provide critical habitat for countless birds, amphibians, fish, insects, and other species. They also act as natural filters, cleansing pollutants from groundwater and runoff. Unfortunately, since the 1600s, more than half of America’s wetlands have been drained. Protecting those that remain is vital to safeguarding clean water and habitat. The Izaak Walton League educates Americans about wetland ecology, functions, and values, and provides communities with the tools they need to conserve these valuable ecosystems. Aided by our Protect Our Wetlands program, our American Wetlands Month campaign, hands-on workshops, easy-to-read educational materials, and technical assistance from our staff, our volunteers are leading the fight to conserve our nation’s remaining wetlands.
STOPPING THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES
In recent years, invasive species such as zebra mussels and Eurasian milfoil have infested America’s waterways, crowding out native species and causing billions of dollars in damage to marinas, recreational fisheries, and other facilities. One way these plants and animals spread between waterways is via recreational boaters, who unknowingly transport invasives on their equipment. To combat the spread, the Izaak Walton League launched a nationwide Clean Boats Campaign. Through public service announcements, articles, and a website (iwla.org/cleanboats) , millions of boaters are now learning how to properly clean their gear so that they don’t spread harmful invasive species from one waterway to another.
Where we work
External reviews
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of individuals in the target audience that expresses intent to adopt (or continue) desired behavior
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Clean Water
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
In early 2021 we began asking our target audience to pledge to reduce their own use of road salt, in addition to measuring the amount of salt present in their local streams.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planFinancials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Izaak Walton League of America, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 01/30/2024
Jim Piateski
Kelly Kistner
Scott Meyer
James Storer
Jodi Labs
Jim Piateski
Herbert Pritchett
Jack Johnson
Rick Cerwick
Mike Fuge
Rick Graham
Dale Braun
Vicki Arnold
Rachel McBride
Brenda Swartz
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as: