The Wildlife Society

Origins of the Iowa Chapter

At the April 1961 meeting of the Iowa Academy of Sciences, a committee met to discuss forming an Iowa chapter of The Wildlife Society. This committee was comprised of Robert Moorman, ISU; Sylvan Runkle, SCS; Harold Burgess, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife; and Eddie Mustard, Iowa Conservation Commission. Chapter work began within the year, but formal chartering did not occur until 1965, retroactive to April 14, 1962, due to final amendments to TWS bylaws governing such chapters. Membership in the infant organization was 39 in 1962, and the first dues were set at $2 annually. The chapter's goals included advancement of the art and science of wildlife management, and promoting and maintaining high professional standards.

Bylaws

Bylaws, Code of Ethics, objectives, policies and positions of the Iowa Chapter were established, and are presently practiced, to conform with those of TWS. Over the years bylaws heve been amended as necessary to keep the chapter current with similar changes in parent society bylaws. A few of the significant local bylaw changes included separating annual meetings from the Iowa Academy of Science in 1979, addition of a Budget Committee and an Environmental Review Committee in 1980.