All strategic planning was conducted in line with the mission of the national organization.





Enhance the local Izaak Walton League of America facility to demonstrate creative innovative conservation practices that can be adapted and applied by members and the general community.


Develop a conceptual master plan complete with an implementation strategy.




The Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA) is one of the oldest conservation organizations in the country (founded 1922) with over 300 chapters and 40,000 members nationwide.  The staff and the national headquarters are located in Maryland.  The Dwight Lydell Chapter (DLC) of the IWLA was founded in 1924.  Over the past 80 years, we have been on the forefront of major conservation issues and have established a proven track record of activism.


    The Dwight Lydell Chapter owns a rolling 37 acre property complete with mixed hardwoods and pines, a stream, a pond and the Conservation Center, which was built in 1989.  This property is located at the heart of Cannon Township, a township noted for its forward thinking about environmental issues such as protecting the unique natural features and characteristics of the area.
    The property is our major asset, worth an estimated $500,000.  It is located in a very desirable development area.  It is our goal to enhance it to educate our members, Cannon Township residents, and all of Kent County.
    The DLC’s relationship with Township, City, County and local environmental groups is strong.  We are working in concert with several local units of government (Cannon Township, Kent County, City of Grand Rapids) and nearby watershed councils of the Rogue, Grand and Muskegon Rivers.
    Our chapter property is an asset that is unique among environmental and conservation organizations in West Michigan.  Because of this, we believe that our site will be the “go to” location for informal education on best practices for many of these groups.



    The membership of the chapter has more than doubled in the last nine years leaving the chapter with a building that is not large enough to accommodate all who would attend our events.  At the same time there is concern that the Center and property are underutilized. 



    Renovating our existing building as a “Green” (LEED Certified) facility will position us as a unique educational facility and demonstration site, qualifying us for a variety of grants.
    Our 37 acre site is conveniently located near the city of Grand Rapids, the second largest city in Michigan.  It is also centrally located in Kent County.
    Designing a zero energy and/or distributed power generation facility will enable us to become a distributed, clean power generation source.  In addition, as a demonstration site for renewable energy technologies our goal is to increase the implementation of these technologies in the area. 
    Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr and Huber (a leading area architectural and engineering firm) has expressed an interest in working with us.  Their company has a focus on sustainable and renewable facility design, and they have dedicated staff to support this.



The  four main areas of concentration for the plan are:

The Building - The Conservation Center

The Facilities - Buildings and amenities used by humans (garage, parking lot, etc.)

Natural Landscaped Areas - The landscaped areas used as gathering spaces and the area that buffers the space between the human activity and the animal habitat.

Forest Management - Natural Systems- The outer areas of our site that have been restored, managed and maintained as a native Michigan forest.

Building

The cornerstone of the plan is the expansion of the building to accommodate our increasing membership and potential for informal conservation education.  Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certified design principles will be used, positioning the IWLA property as place where a variety of audiences such as conservation and environmental organizations, builders and developers, home owners and township residents can go for information, assistance, demonstrations, etc.  Alternative energy will be demonstrated as a critical component of the educational experience for all guests.

The Dwight Lydell Chapter will be a center for informal education, showing people what they can do in their own homes and businesses.  We will demonstrate and we will provide explanations about how to implement these innovative technologies through kiosks, signage, samples, handouts, and training classes.

Facility

The facilities (parking lots, children's area, pond, etc.) will demonstrate the best management practices for stormwater and watershed management techniques whenever possible.  This will include enhancements such as pervious parking surfaces (water soaks through rather than runs off) and energy-efficient lighting.

Natural Landscaped Areas

The transitional area between the facilities and the forest area will demonstrate a variety of garden themes.

Forest Management - Natural Systems

The property owned by our chapter has been heavily infested with non-native species such as Scotch pine, autumn olive, buckthorn and multi-flora rose.  It is obvious at this time that the only way to demonstrate a native Michigan forest at this site is through an active maintenance program.  Therefore the natural areas that border the property will be managed and maintained as wildlife habitat.


The funding plan will address the project planning as well as the long-term maintenance of the property and the associated programming.  This plan will address both the short term opportunities (grants, fund raising) and the long term financial sustainability (bequeaths, endowments, scholarships, etc.) of this project.

The total project estimated budget is $1,000,000-$1,500,000 of which $200,000-$250,000 is estimated to be used for renewable energy systems.


With a well-defined and clearly stated plan, we can leave a legacy of caring about our planet for generations to come.  We can position our property as one of the natural jewels of Kent County by demonstrating the most up to date conservation and sustainability practices.  We will be more than a conservation organization of today-- we will attract today's youth to join us in these progressive efforts.  In this way, we can pass the torch, knowing that we have done our best.

Nothing less will suffice during this time of transition from the exploitative to the sustainable model!