54 Founders Award: Tim Reid (Illinois)

The Izaak Walton League of America Timothy Reid of Crete, Illinois, with its prestigious 54 Founders Award. Reid received the award at the League’s annual convention in July 2010 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the conservation of America’s natural and renewable resources. This is the highest honor bestowed by the League.

For more than 35 years, Tim Reid has brought passion, energy, and commitment to every facet of the Izaak Walton League. He has been a leader at the chapter, state, and national levels since he joined the League in 1975, including two years as the organization’s national president and an astonishing 25 years on the League’s Executive Board – the longest run of any League member. During that time, Reid’s knowledge of and commitment to the League’s national conservation goals helped the organization grow and thrive.

Tim Reid’s driving passion has always been getting youth involved with the outdoors and engaging the next generation of conservation advocates. Reid developed a youth program that was the precursor to the Izaak Walton League’s national youth program. He worked with League chapters, Scout troops, and other youth organizations to get kids involved in fishing, hunting, camping – anything to get them outside and engaged with wildlife and wild places. Reid also created an annual youth pheasant hunt that he ran for 10 years then passed on to his son (also named Tim), although the younger Tim says dad still stays on top of the event!

Outdoor ethics is another area in which Reid has led the League. He helped establish the League’s Outdoor Ethics Resource Committee, which is committed to promoting responsible outdoor recreation among hunters, anglers, hikers, campers, off-road vehicle users, and all who enjoy the outdoors and our precious natural heritage. The League and its Outdoor Ethics Resource Committee work to inspire outdoor enthusiasts to accept personal responsibility for protecting outdoor resources.

Reid unselfishly sacrificed family and work time to help the League grow. The Reid family always knew where they’d be spending their summer vacations – at the League’s national convention! And they always stopped to visit Izaak Walton League chapters on family road trips. Every member of the Reid family is an Izaak Walton League Life Benefactor. Tim Reid has been an eloquent speaker representing the League on Capitol Hill, helped turn around the organization’s financial situation, and was one of the driving forces in creating the a national League headquarters in Washington, DC. 

"Tim Reid exemplifies the kind of volunteer leadership and commitment to conservation that the Izaak Walton League is all about," says Jim Madsen, the League's national president. "His unparalleled service to the League spans nearly 40 years. We are proud to count him among our ranks and to honor his service to protecting America's outdoors with this award."

Photo caption: Tim Reid (second from left) was speechless after receiving the 54 Founders award – a rare event! His wife Pat and grandson Zach were at the 2010 IWLA national convention to help celebrate his achievements. Also pictured are IWLA national president Jim Madsen (far left) and IWLA Executive Board chairman Roger Sears (far right).