Izaak Walton League of America

The Izaak Walton League of America is an American environmental organization founded in 1922 that promotes the protection of natural resources and encourages outdoor recreation. The organization was established in Chicago, Illinois, by a group of sportsmen who wished to protect fishing opportunities for future generations. They named the League after seminal fishing enthusiast Izaak Walton (1593–1683), known as the "Father of Flyfishing" and author of The Compleat Angler. Advertising executive Williamson H. Dilg became its first president and promoter. The first conservation organization with a mass membership, the League had over 100,000 supporters by 1924. An early result of their efforts was the establishment of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge in 1924.