Tuesday is Ding Darling Day, which is an opportunity to look back on the impact thanks to the work and effort the cartoonist and conservationist did in the early 20th century. Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling was born October 21, 1876 in Michigan, although according to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Darling considered himself to be an Iowan. Darling had a successful career as a cartoonist for the Sioux City Journal, Des Moines Register, and New York Globe. His artwork earned him two Pulitzer Prizes. Darling also prided himself by working in conservation. He served as one of the original members of Iowa’s Fish and Game Commission.

Ron Knopik from the Port Louisa Wildlife Refuge looks back on some of Darling’s accomplishments, “The first duck stamp was based on [Darling’s] artwork in 1935. After that, he became a very well known political cartoonist that tried to spread the message about conserving and protecting resources to benefit all of us as well as wildlife.”

His work not only served the State of Iowa but he worked with President Franklin Roosevelt, as he was appointed to a special presidential committee focused on wildlife reclamation. We still see his legacy today as he serves as the namesake for Lake Darling State Park in Brighton.