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Izaak Walton League – Over a Century of Conservation Leadership
About the Des Moines Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America
Founded in 1922, the Des Moines Chapter of the Izaak Walton League is one of the four oldest chapters still active in the nation. We’re part of one of America’s oldest and most respected conservation organizations. With a powerful grassroots network of more than 250 local chapters nationwide, the League takes a common-sense approach toward protecting our country’s natural heritage and improving outdoor recreation opportunities for all Americans. We invite you to learn about our work and to join us in supporting important conservation initiatives in your community.
Help us protect America’s outdoors. Join Online to Become a Member of the Des Moines Chapter of the League or Renew Your Membership!
Des Moines Chapter House
4343 George Flagg Parkway
Des Moines, Iowa, 50321
(515) 244-3773
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You’ll receive or chapter newsletter with news, stories, and events; Plus chapter updates as they happen!
Meetings are held every Tuesday beginning at 6 p.m. Dinner is served until 6:30 p.m., with programs starting at 6:45 p.m. There are lots of great programs and delicious meals coming up on Tuesdays at the Chapter House! Check out our Menus and Programs page to find out more!
The Des Moines Ikes Annual Sweet Corn Feed is back Tuesday, July 28, 2026! ENJOY ALL THE DELICIOUS IOWA SWEET CORN YOU CAN EAT at the Des Moines Ikes clubhouse at 4343 George Flagg Pkwy (Flagg & Park), Des Moines 50321 We’ll be serving from 4 to 7pm! Featuring Live Music from Des Moines recording artist CW Smith! Admission is just $12 for Adults and $6 for kids 10 and under, including Bratwurst, Potato Salad and Watermelon. Beverages, Dessert and extra menu items available for purchase. We’ll have Merchandise and Ikes Memberships available too. EVERYONE INVITED and EVERYONE WELCOME! Dine inside our air-conditioned Chapterhouse! THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD RAIN OR SHINE!
RESCHEDULED: AARP’s Neil Shultz will be at The Des Moines Izaak League Tuesday, August 11, 6:45 pm, with an update on the latest scams and how to avoid them! 4343 George Flagg Pkwy (Flagg & Park), Des Moines 50321. Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones through the AARP Fraud Watch Network. From gift card scams, to Medicare fraud, to phone scams, to AI, fraudsters are very active and deceptive. Your best bet is to stay informed and, in addition to attending Neil’s update, AARP’s Fraud Watch Network can help you do that along with offering support through their Fraud Helpline at 877-908-3360. The Helpline is free and available to all! Neil Schultz is a retired Division Chief at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and has been a member of the AARP Iowa Fraud Watch team since it began in 2014. Admission for Neil’s talk at is FREE and OPEN to the PUBLIC! Doors open at 5 with Dinner at 6 available for purchase.
Join us as Dan Cohen presents “Securing the Promise: Iowa’s Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund”. Tuesday, August 25, 6:45pm at The Des Moines Izaak Walton League, 4343 George Flagg Pkwy (Geo. Flagg & Park), Des Moines 50321. Small group discussion at 5 in the Crum Center. Explore Iowa’s Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund and how it supports conservation and outdoor recreation across the state. From 2006-2010, Cohen represented Iowa’s County Conservation System on the Governor-appointed Sustainable Funding Committee which made recommendations to create a constitutionally-protected Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund and a distribution formula set in Iowa Code. He was involved with the Iowa’s Water and Legacy (IWiLL) campaign to get the initiative through the Iowa Legislature and eventually on the 2010 general election ballot to amend the Iowa Constitution to create the Trust Fund, which succeeded with a super-majority vote of Iowans. For the past 15+ years, Cohen has continued to be part of the effort to get legislators to complete the promise to Iowans by funding the Trust. Cohen is a retired Executive Director for the Buchanan County Conservation Board and now continues his work as an outdoor writer and wildlife photographer. His work can be found on his Nature Communications Substack: https://dwcohen81.substack.com/. Admission to Dan’s talk is FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, with doors opening at 5 and dinner at 6 available for purchase.
Join us for the Iowa Outdoor Expo for Kids and Families, presented by the Des Moines Izaak Walton League! Don’t miss out on a FREE fun filled day of Hands-On family adventures! Saturday, September 26 at The Des Moines Izaak Walton League, 4343 George Flagg Pkwy (Intersection of George Flagg & Park) from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm with FREE Admission and Parking! Attendees will have the opportunity to try out virtual skeet shooting, cast a line, shoot a bow, try the slingshot range, aim on the BB gun range, experience animal presentations, cheer on the the minnow races, and enjoy crafts for the kids! Plus exhibits from area Conservation organizations! Picnic food available for purchase from Carlisle Scout Troop 133.
Upcoming Events
- August 4, 2026: Des Moines Izaak Walton League Annual Meeting. Results from the last year and plans for the next! Plus, Board member elections for 2026/27, including nomination of new members!
- September 15, 2026: Matt Helmers, Director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center at ISU (and more!) on “All Things Nutrient Management and Water Quality”! Small Group at 5 in the Crum Center, and Presentation at 6:45.
Officers 2025/2026
President: Doug Pooch
1st VP: Mark Pranger
2nd VP: Bud Hartley
Secretary: Curtis Cokeley
Treasurer: Richard “Bo” Galloway
Honorary President: Joe Gavin
Directors 2025/2026
Jackie Galloway
Bob Jackson
Charles Meade
Kerry Petersen
Conservation Director
Mike Delaney
