Izaak Walton League of America

Volunteers are the heart of the Izaak Walton League. Recognize the outstanding volunteers in your chapter – and the outstanding work you have done over the past year. It's quick and easy. And League members deserve to be recognized!

In January of each year, an IWLA Awards Mailer is sent to all chapter and state division presidents, secretaries, and awards chairs so they may begin the nomination process.

NOTE: The forms below are editable and savable if you have Adobe Reader XI on your computer, downloadable at www.adobe.com/products/reader.html. Save the forms below onto your computer first, then type in the form and re-save to preserve your text!

Chapter Awards

(Nomination Deadline: March 15)

• Judge John W. Tobin Award: Chapter award recognizing an outstanding member 
• Defenders Chapter Achievement Awards: Recognizes chapter commitment to membership, support of the League’s mission, local youth scholarships, on-the-ground conservation, effective communication, and youth engagement

National Awards

(Nomination Deadline: June 1)

• 54 Founders Award: The League's highest honor, given to one person each year who has made outstanding contributions in conservation (read the list of previous winners)
• Arthur R. Thompson Memorial Award: Recognizes state division that has carried out the most outstanding conservation program
• Conservation Award: Recognizes individual accomplishments in conservation
• Hall of Fame Award: For outstanding achievements in furthering the League's mission and goals
• Honor Roll Award: For non-member achievements in conservation
• James Lawton Childs Award: Recognizes chapter accomplishments in conservation
• Outdoor America's Future Award: For outstanding youth members
• Outdoor Ethics Award: For outstanding work in outdoor ethics
• Robert C. O'Hair Award: Recognizes chapter accomplishments in youth programs
• Save Our Streams Award: For outstanding work in environmental education and citizen activism for clean water
• Shooting Sports: For outstanding efforts to advance the shooting sports
• Thelma "Pete" Reed Memorial Award: For outstanding volunteers
• Best Division Newsletter: For the best division newsletter
• Best Chapter Newsletter: For the best chapter newsletter
• Best Division and Chapter Website: One each for the best division and best chapter website
• Best Chapter Membership Recruitment and Retention Award: Recognizes the chapter that has carried out the most effective membership recruitment and retention programs 

See the 2023 award winners (for efforts in 2022).

See a historical listing of past IWLA award recipients.

Notice: Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the 2021 IWLA National Convention will be virtual and will not include the usual awards ceremony. Instead, all National and Membership Awards, including Defenders Chapter Achievement Awards, will be distributed to the nominating divisions or chapters this summer so they can be presented to the recipients at one of their future meetings.

Have questions regarding the awards process? Please contact the Izaak Walton League Chapter Relations staff by calling (800) 453-5463 x216 or e-mailing awards@iwla.org. Completed applications may be faxed to (301) 548-0146 or (301) 548-0149 or scanned and emailed to awards@iwla.org.