Welcome!
The Suffolk-Nansemond Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America (S-N IWLA), chartered in June of 1954, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation, maintenance and protection of the soil, forest, water, and other natural resources of the city of Suffolk, VA and surrounding areas; and to promoting means and opportunities for educating the public about their enjoyment and wholesome utilization. We are proud of our Members’ accomplishments and each year we select one chapter member to receive the annual Tobin Award. This award recognizes the chapter’s most outstanding and dedicated member for contributions made throughout the previous calendar year.
Chris Trimpey (on the left) receives the Tobin Award
In the photo taken at the Chapter June 2026 dinner meeting, chapter President Chris Ferguson is shown presenting the 2025 IWLA Tobin award to Youth Coordinator (also has served previously as a Chapter Board Member) Chris Trimpey. Congratulations, Chris!
Darden Langston (on the right) receives the chapter Tobin Award
Here, chapter Award Chair Virginia Wahab is shown presenting the 2024 IWLA Tobin award to Board Member Darden Langston (also has served previously as our Chapter Vice President) at the June, 2025 monthly chapter dinner meeting. Congratulations to Darden, who incidentally is the longest serving member of our Chapter!
Mike Lane receives an IWLA National Conservation Award
In addition to Tobin awards, our chapter members have earned other types of awards from IWLA National. At the August, 2025 chapter dinner meeting, Chapter Board Member Mike Lane (also has served previously as our Chapter President) is shown in this photo receiving a 2024 IWLA National Conservation Award. This award is a prestigious National Conservation Award that recognizes individuals, chapters, or divisions for outstanding environmental work. Mike received this award for his contributions both to the chapter and to other local community conservation projects. Of particular note, Mike’s involvement was instrumental in the creation of the Jericho Lane Trailhead Project at the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Mike spent many hours involved with the project from 2003 until 2024. Through his patience and dedication, working in collaboration with state and local organizations, the project was dedicated on Sept. 21,2024 to align with the refuge’s 50th anniversary. For more information about Mike’s award, see https://sniwla.org/sniwla/chapter-ike-receives-national-iwla-award/.
To browse through the list of chapter news articles highlighting other chapter awards in chronological sequence, you can filter on the Awards category from the News articles submenu.