The Izaak Walton League was founded in 1922 with the mission to conserve outdoor America for future generations. It aims for the purity of water, clarity of air, and wise stewardship of the land and its resources. Intent on preserving natural beauty and wildlife, it promotes understanding of nature and the value of woodlands, open spaces, and wildlife conservation through public policy initiatives and conservation programs.
The IWLA National Conservation Scholarship program aims to foster conservation leadership among aspiring natural resource managers and professionals by offering financial support. This scholarship is geared towards rising junior and senior college undergraduates who are enrolled in recognized conservation or environment-related degree programs. The array of supported programs includes environmental science, natural resource management, forestry, wildlife, fisheries, parks and recreation, range management, and sciences like ecology, biology (conservation/field/marine), geology, hydrology, and zoology. This initiative is part of IWLA's broader effort to complement the scholarship opportunities provided annually by its chapters and state divisions.