B.A.S.S. has more than 2,800 clubs with approximately 50,000 members dedicated to the future of bass fishing. They promote catch-and-release, encourage community involvement, lobby, introduce youth to fishing, and conduct tournament creel census reports. There are 45 junior chapters with approximately 1,000 members. Many are affiliated with other youth organizations. The Bassmaster CastingKids program is a flip, pitch, and cast competition open to young people in two age groups, 7-10 and 11-14.

Soil and water conservation districts are legal subdivisions of state government managed by a board of five elected commissioners. Commissioners carry out state and federal laws and programs. They also serve as local sponsors for watershed projects, resource and development areas, and soil surveys. The National Association of Conservation Districts publishes materials for educators on soil conservation and sponsors the Canon Envirothon with Monsanto, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Envirothon is a multi-disciplinary, environmental problem-solving program culminating in an annual series of competitions. Teams of five students (grades 9 – 12), sponsored by a local conservation district, train and compete in the areas of soils, aquatic ecology, wildlife, forestry, and current environmental issues at local, regional, and state levels.

Ducks Unlimited’s mission is to fulfill the annual life cycle needs of North American waterfowl by protecting, enhancing, restoring, and managing important wetlands and associated uplands. Since 1937, DU has raised money for conservation of prime wildlife habitat in all fifty states, each of the Canadian provinces, and key areas of Mexico. Downloadable materials are on their web site (e.g., An Index of Supplemental Wetland/Outdoor Activities listed by topic, Complete Classroom Curriculum (4 – 12), Teacher’s Guide for Grades 4 – 6).

HFFA is a non-profit organization of Iowa anglers and conservationists dedicated to promoting fly-fishing and associated activities. HFFA is an affiliate of the Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF), an organization devoted to promoting all types of fly-fishing and protecting fly-fishing waters and their inhabitants. HFFA has worked on trout stream improvements in northeast Iowa, publishes a newsletter, and sponsors events around the state each year including introductory fly-fishing and fly tying clinics.

The Iowa Association of Naturalists promotes the development of skills and education within the art of interpreting natural and cultural resources in Iowa. IAN publishes a newsletter, The Web, educator information, and a Guide to Environmental Education and Interpretive Services in Iowa, and sponsors a junior naturalist program and continuing education workshops.

The Iowa Conservation Education Coalition is one of the largest state organizations of conservation educators in the nation. Members include classroom teachers, college educators, and interpretive naturalists representing county, state, federal, and private entities. Members receive the newsletter, Pathways to Education, three times a year. Workshops are co-sponsored by ICEC and cooperating agencies. Sessions concentrate on teaching techniques in outdoor education, general outdoor knowledge, and environmental issues. ICEC provides grants to educators and has an awards program recognizing outstanding classroom teachers, naturalists, business leaders, youth, non-profit groups, and others dedicated to environmental education. Yearly membership is $25 for adults and $20 for students.

The Iowa Environmental Council was formed in 1994 by a group of 29 organizations and individuals concerned about the environment. The Council seeks a sustainable future through shaping public policy, research and education, coalition-building, and advocacy. Individual membership is $50 per year. Their web page has detailed descriptions of all member organizations.

INHF builds partnerships and educates Iowans to protect, preserve, and enhance Iowa’s natural resources for future generations. Current organization priorities include: permanent land protection (through land purchase for public holding or conservation easements), trail and greenway establishment (Iowa trail maps available online), promotion of improved land management (prairie restoration, Neotropical migrant bird habitat needs, and watershed protection), and providing internship opportunities. Several educational publications are available online.

The Iowa Ornithologist Union is a nonprofit group organized to promote enjoyment and study of birds. Membership is open to anyone interested in birds. IOU encourages interest in identification, study, and protection of birds in Iowa. The IOU publishes a quarterly journal, Iowa Bird Life, a quarterly newsletter, IOU News, and a Field Checklist of Iowa Birds. A bird line contains a recording of locations of interesting birds recently sighted around the state (712/364-2863). IOU published a teacher’s activity guide on birds.

The Iowa Prairie Network sponsors guided hikes, work projects, and education programs designed to learn about, teach, enjoy, and protect Iowa’s prairie heritage. It provides technical advice on prairie management and prairie preservation methods and technical publications.

The Iowa Student Environmental Coalition, a coalition of thoughtful, committed Iowa students, encourages others to become responsible and active towards an environmentally sound future through actions at the local, regional, and state-wide level. ISEC hopes to inspire Iowa’s students through communication, education, awareness, and action, thus strengthening unity among students. It sponsors a state fall student conference, political activism workshop, state spring student conference, regional student conferences, and a statewide student water monitoring project. ISEC publishes a quarterly newsletter and a Student Environmental Groups Directory.

The Iowa Wildlife Rehabilitators Association is a nonprofit organization that promotes public awareness of wildlife rehabilitation and provides rehabilitators with current information regarding wildlife care. IWRA offers quality care and treatment to injured wildlife. After recovery, healthy animals are returned to appropriate wild habitats. Members of IWRA include licensed rehabilitators, veterinarians, environmental educators, humane societies, and interested individuals. IWRA publishes an informative newsletter, Rehab Ringer and a state directory of wildlife rehabilitators. Educator materials include a color and learn book and protected predator poster. Internship opportunities and tours may be available with IWRA organizations.

A nonprofit conservation organization formed nationally in 1922, the Ikes are dedicated to protecting the air, land, and water resources. Priority issues include water quality, manure management, and energy issues. The League has a Save Our Streams program with a citizen’s action guide, newsletter, and kid’s packet. A Wetland Adoption program also is available. A Fish Kill Advisory Network is available at their web site. Check for a local chapter in your area. Some chapters are active in youth education through a program called Uncle Ikes.

The Loess Hills Alliance provides grassroots, broad-based representation for land use management and stewardship in the Loess Hills region. The Alliance communicates, cooperates, and coordinates conservation efforts in the Loess Hills. An interactive CD-ROM includes information about the Loess Hills and the Loess Hills Alliance, studies that have been completed in the Hills, and the Iowa Department of Educations Loess Hills Curriculum.

The National Arbor Day Foundation is the world’s largest tree-planting organization. It provides more than 8 million trees for planting throughout America each year. Their web site has many ideas for celebrating Arbor Day and youth education materials are available.

The National Audubon Society’s goal is to restore ecosystems so other birds and wildlife can flourish and enrich the diversity of life on Earth. Annual membership is $20 and includes the Audubon magazine and membership in your local chapter. Resources and classroom projects for educators, updated monthly, are available on their web page. Classroom resources include: Audubon Adventures (grades 3 – 6), National Audubon Society First Field Guides, and more. Interactive web projects for students also can be found on the web page (e.g., WatchList for Kids, Great Backyard Bird Count, Classroom FeederWatch, and Earth Stewards). Audubon also sponsors professional development for educators, Audubon camps and workshops, and the Audubon Expedition Institute.

The National Wildlife Federation is a grassroots, non-profit organization founded in 1936 by editorial cartoonist J.N. “Ding” Darling. NWF's main goal is to raise awareness and encourage people of all ages to conserve and protect the environment. Hands-on nature programs, educator resources, activities, and lesson plans are available.

NWTF is a grassroots, non-profit organization with 390,000 members in 50 states, Canada, and 11 foreign countries. It supports scientific wildlife management on public, private, and corporate lands as well as wild turkey hunting as a traditional North American sport. NWTF helps sponsor many educational events around the state. Their web page lists contact information for staff in specific areas. Education programs include, JAKES field days (youth) and Women in the Outdoors events.

The Nature Conservancy is an international, nonprofit environmental organization committed to the protection of biodiversity. Its mission is to preserve plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. Since 1963, the Conservancy has helped save thousands of acres in Iowa. Currently, the Conservancy manages 33 preserves totaling over 5,000 acres of natural sanctuaries in 34 Iowa counties. Members receive Iowa Field Notes.

Pheasants Forever is a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to protection and enhancement of pheasant and other upland wildlife populations through habitat improvement, public awareness and education, and land management that benefits farmers and wildlife. Most Iowa counties have chapters and local contacts. PF’s youth programs include a mentoring manual and the Leopold Education Project (LEP). LEP is an innovative, interdisciplinary, critical thinking, conservation and environmental education curriculum based on the classic writings of the renowned conservationist, Aldo Leopold.

Practical Farmers of America promotes the interests of Iowa farmers by encouraging, sponsoring, and conducting research and educational activities designed to improve land productivity and enrich the health, environment, and economic well-being of farm families. Members receive The Practical Farmer, a quarterly newsletter. A member directory of skills and interests, a guide to statewide field days, and other publications are available. PFI sponsors a summer camp for families and youth to learn about Iowa’s food systems and ecologically sound farming. PFI also provides direct contact with growers for Iowa-produced meals for groups and conferences.

SOAR is a non-profit organization that supports wildlife rehabilitation in western Iowa. Educational programs using live birds of prey are available. Birds of prey (raptors) are used to discuss raptor biology, predator/prey relationships, endangered species, and habitat quality and conservation. Wild birds can be “adopted” to fund their recovery and release to the wild. Tours of rehabilitation facilities are available.

Trees Forever’s mission is to facilitate planting and care of trees and conservation and restoration of forests through action-oriented programs, education, and public awareness. Trees Forever promotes stream buffers (that help control erosion, increase wildlife habitat, and reduce nonpoint source pollution along Iowa rivers and streams), community planning and plantings, and roadside vegetation restorations. Trees Forever produces videos and other publications to educate people of all ages about the environmental importance and cultural significance of trees in everyday life. Visit their web page for a complete list.

TU sponsors First Cast. This flexible curriculum divides the skills of fly-fishing into units and includes step-by-step recommendations for organizing classes, events, field trips, and community projects. Members and chapters have access to low-cost equipment and other materials. Iowa contacts are listed on their web page.

Whitetails Unlimited is a national conservation organization dedicated to the betterment of the white-tailed deer and its environment. WTU supports educational programs, habitat conservation, and preservation of the hunting tradition. Some educational programs include: hunting tradition (support of hunter safety education), DEER Program (Developing Educational Environmental Resources), HOPE Program (Habitat Options and Planned Enhancement), and Project POLITE (Permission Of Landowner In order To Enter). Educational booklets are available online.