DONATE TODAY TO SUPPORT YOUR DES MOINES IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE
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! Note: Beginning January 2025 we will have only one main menu item on members nights, rather than offering alternatives. This is to save on costs and food waste, and to allow us to again offer desserts. Thank you for your understanding!
Bring a crockpot of your best chili and compete for prizes and bragging rights Tuesday, January 20 at The Des Moines Izaak Walton League’s Second Annual Chili Cook-off!! 4343 George Flagg Pkwy (George Flagg and Park), Des Moines 50321. Set up is at 5 pm, and competition and sampling begin at 6, followed by awarding of prizes. We’ll have 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Winners! Plus, we’ll have a Winner for best table Design/Setup! Everyone who joins us will be given a sheet to vote on all of the chilis! Any kind of chili qualifies: All meat, game meat, with or without beans, fish, fowl, veggies, hot or tame! No Entry Fee and Competitors Eat Free! $10 to enjoy unlimited samples! The competition is Open to the Public. Bring your best, and let’s see, and taste, what you’ve got! For more information contact Tawnya McCourtney at ikes.dsm@gmail.com.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Todd Gosselink will host a town hall-style meeting Tuesday, March 3, 6:45 pm at The Des Moines Izaak Walton League, 4343 George Flagg Pkwy (Geo. Flagg & Park), Des Moines, 50321. Local IDNR staff will provide updates on recently completed hunting and trapping seasons, population and habitat trends, discuss possible changes to hunting and trapping rules and regulations, and address other topics as requested. The meetings are open to the public. Comments collected from these public meetings will be considered along with other related comments received by the Iowa DNR prior to proposing changes to hunting rules and regulations. Proposed rules will be presented to the Natural Resource Commission during a regular public meeting for consideration and additional public comment. Admission to the meeting is FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, with doors opening at 5 and a WALLEYE dinner at 6 available for purchase.
Iowa’s water monitoring network is in crisis. A $500,000 budget cut threatens to shut down nearly 80% of the monitoring sites that safeguard our drinking water, rivers, and lakes.
The Iowa Division of the Izaak Walton League of America has launched a statewide crowdfunding campaign to keep these monitors running—and we’re proud to highlight this effort at the upcoming Iowa Nature Summit.
💧 Our first challenge: Fund 5 monitors!
It costs $8,575 to keep one monitor running for a year. That includes:
✅ Operations
✅ Maintenance
✅ Professional data analysis
📊 5 x $8,575 = $42,875 → our first milestone goal!
This isn’t just about funding—it’s about protecting public health, restoring accountability, and educating Iowans on the true quality of their water.
February 8, 2026: Super Bowl LX (60) Party! Free Admission! Snacks and Fun! Doors open at 5:30.
Saturday, February 28 – Sunday, March 1, 2026: Des Moines Ikes at the 47th Annual Bassmasters Swap Meet and Boat Show. 4-H Building Iowa State Fairgrounds. Saturday 9a-5p, Sunday 9a-3p. IKES VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
March 10, 2026: Des Moines Ikes 5th Annual Wild Game Feed! Samples of Venison, Elk, Pheasant, Crappie (Thanks to The Iowa Crappie League for their donation!), Rabbit, Walleye , Frog Legs and more! Admission is a suggested Donation of $20 for Adults, and $10 for Kids 10-. Doors open at 5 pm, and the Feed begins at 6. To donate contact Mark Pranger via email at mark.a.pranger@gmail.com or call 515-710-6033.
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
