Izaak Walton League of America is one of the oldest conservation organizations in the United States. It was formed in 1922 in Chicago. Today, the league’s members work to protect the country’s soil, air, woods, waters, and wildlife. The league takes its name from English author and conservationist Izaak Walton. Walton wrote The Compleat Angler (1653), a book about the joys of fishing and the responsibility of conserving natural resources.
The league’s major goals include:
(1) Keeping lakes, streams, and ground water safe for drinking, swimming, fishing, and wildlife. The league conducts hundreds of stream-testing and cleanup projects.
(2) Protecting wetlands and other wildlife habitats. The league works to maintain healthy and diverse wildlife populations.
(3) Protecting water quality and wildlife on public lands. The league advises ranchers, foresters, and government agencies about managing public lands.
(4) Helping conserve farmland. The league encourages farmers to control soil erosion, limit the use of pesticides that pollute ground water, and set aside lands that erode easily for wildlife habitat.
(5) Protecting parks, forests, and other lands from irresponsible commercial development. The Izaak Walton League Endowment buys endangered lands and often turns them over to national park and forest services.
(6) Promoting respect for and access to recreational areas. The league works with recreation clubs and government agencies to improve the behavior of people using recreational lands.
To achieve its goals, the league involves people in conservation projects and educates them about environmental threats. It also pushes for environmental protection laws and government funding for conservation. In addition, it sues violators of environmental laws.
The league is an independent, nonprofit organization supported by membership dues, grants, gifts, and bequests. The league’s national headquarters are in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
See also Walton, Izaak .
