02/07/2025
Tiffin – Seneca County Chapter # 37-170 of the Izaak Walton League of America
The Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA) is an environmental organization that
was founded in 1922 by a group of anglers and hunters who wanted to protect the nation's natural
areas and waterways. The organization was named after Izaak Walton, a conservationist and
author of the book “The Complete Angler” By 1924, the League had over 100,000 supporters,
making it the first conservation organization with a mass membership.
It was 1925 when a small group of Seneca County citizens decided to take an active role
to protect our Sandusky River and County public grounds. They started our Tiffin-Seneca
chapter just 2 years after the establishment of the National Izaak Walton League. Located next to
the Sandusky River on about 10 acres of land, we have a beautiful 1/2-acre pond, shooting
ranges, bee keeping area, and an Archery range. We additionally have a club house, and supply
buildings and covered shooting positions located at the firing range around the grounds.
We have had many active leaders in the club including Louie Haugh, Wayne Smith and Ed
Schekelhoff the President of the Tiffin-Seneca Izaak Walton League during the 1970’s Ed
worked incredibly hard towards the Leagues conservation goals and won many national IWLA
conservation awards and recognitions for the Tiffin-Seneca County Izaak Walton League.
The US Congress uses the League for advisement on all conservation issues. We are the only
non political national organization with locally operated chapters who make up the entire
organization as a whole. This Year we (the Tiffin-Seneca Izaak Walton) will be hosting the state
convention at our site.
Some milestones in the history of the National Izaak Walton League:
• Founding: On January 14, 1922, 54 sportsmen met in Chicago to form the IWLA.
• First advocacy victory: Within two years of its founding, the League secured its first
advocacy victory when Congress established the Upper Mississippi River National
Wildlife and Fish Refuge.
The IWLA's goals include:
• Protecting natural resources
• Promoting outdoor recreation
• Striving for water purity, air clarity, and wise stewardship of the land
• Understanding the beauty and value of nature, wildlife, woodlands, and open space
• Preserving this heritage and sharing it with mankind
Our Local Tiffin-Seneca Chapter No 37-170 has evolved to be the largest in the State, with the
Hamilton chapter running a close second. The Tiffin-Seneca Izaak Walton League started
January 20th 1925.
• 3rd oldest Chapter in the State of Ohio
• One of the fastest growing
• Located next to the Sandusky River on about 10
acres of land.
• We rely a lot on grants and volunteers.
• We do youth archery and rifle where we teach the fundamentals and safety.
• We also do a youth Pheasant Hunt
• We also donate our pond and services for the Youth
• City Fishing Derby that is sponsored by Park and Recreations.
• City Day Camp Sponsored By Park and Recreations
• National Hunting and Fishing Day that is sponsored by ODNR
• Hunters Ed course
• We also Donate Our services for the Disability hunt at Miller Farms with Seneca
Conservation District
• We have a Wounded Warrior Day for the Veterans’.
• Seneca County School of Opportunity Fishing outings
• 1st Time Shooters Program
• We also allow Tiffin PD, Seneca Co. Sheriff’s Officers and BCI to use our facilities for
training.
• Various Shooting Events and competitions that is open to the public.
Our receent chapter Presidents:
Nicole Reinhart (Current)
Gary Espejo (Former)
Steve Wright
John Weslow
Larry Kipps
