Who we are
The Arlington-Fairfax Chapter, Inc. was originally chartered as the Falls Church Chapter by the Izaak Walton League of America in February 1936, and renamed to its current name in 1938. On March 4, 1947 the chapter incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation under Virginia law, and the IRS later approved it as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational corporation.
Today the chapter holds 110 acres in Fairfax County, Virginia, obtained in 1952. The Conservation Field House was built in 1965. In the 1960s, Fairfax County acquired land to build Interstate 66, leaving a small ~4.5-acre parcel on the far side of I-66. In the 1990s the chapter acquired a small parcel beside the Skeet & Trap range.
The Air Range began in 1994 as a public youth shooting outreach program — a seven-lane range in a three-stall garage. A 26-lane expansion, started in 2014, finished in 2015 in time for the World Police and Fire Games held that year in Fairfax County; the range is now home to seven air rifle teams.
Our mission
To conserve, restore, and promote the sustainable use and enjoyment of our natural resources — soil, air, woods, waters, and wildlife.
“To strive for the purity of water, the clarity of air, and the wise stewardship of the land and its resources; to know the beauty and understanding of nature and the value of wildlife, woodlands, and open space; to the preservation of this heritage and to man’s sharing in it. I pledge myself as a member of the Izaak Walton League of America.” — IWLA Member Pledge
The Izaak Walton League of America is a national environmental organization founded in 1922 in Chicago by a group of sportsmen who wanted to protect fishing opportunities for the future. With nearly 270 local chapters nationwide, it remains one of the country’s oldest grassroots conservation organizations.
The chapter also held a 50-plus-acre wooded property in Shenandoah County, acquired in 1997 when the Annandale-Springfield Chapter closed. It was sold in June 2026 and is no longer available to members.
Read a brief history of the Izaak Walton League (PDF).
What the chapter offers
- An Olympic-style target archery range
- A shotgun range with 4 fields (1 trap-only, 3 skeet or trap)
- An indoor 26-position air gun range
- A 17-point outdoor rifle & pistol range with target placements at 25, 50, 75, and 100 yards
- An indoor archery range
- Three outdoor field archery ranges — two 14-point walking ranges and a sighting-in range with a crossbow station
- A 2-acre catch-and-release fishing pond
- Campgrounds with rustic camp sites
- Picnic areas with pavilions, a playground, and a playing field
Facility use requires chapter membership, being an escorted guest of a member, or attending an open public/special event (such as the annual Women on Target clinic, monthly Bullseye pistol matches, or a Youth Activities program).
Governance & bylaws
The chapter is run by an elected Board of Directors under its governing bylaws and policies.
Both documents are version-controlled and maintained by the Bylaws/Policy Committee (Chair: Mark Gauntner; Members: Keith Kuck, Pamela Meara).
Chapter elections
Elections are held annually for half of the Board of Directors’ positions; members serve two-year terms.
- Nominations close at the June general membership meeting, where the nominating committee presents a slate; additional floor nominations are also accepted that meeting.
- Election polls are open two consecutive weekends in July, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., before the July regular membership meeting.
- Results are announced at the July general membership meeting.
- Newly elected board members are sworn in at the August general membership meeting.
2026 election: results were announced at the July 21, 2026 membership meeting; new board members are sworn in at the August 18, 2026 General Membership Meeting.
Election Committee: Chair Tom Pike, Member Oscar Starz. Questions about running for an open position can go to the Chapter Nomination/Election Chairmen via the contact page.