The Ones Strengthening the Heartland

Jay N. Darling Institute

Building on the legacy of conservationist Jay N. Darling, the Darling Institute collaborates with rural communities to make them more sustainable, competitive in the global economy, and resilient for future generations.

Points of Celebration:

  • $4.6 million raised for strategic initiatives to date

  • 14 DarlingCorps scholarships to date

  • Leadership gift from Paul and Claudia Schickler created the Schickler Endowed Executive Directorship and Schickler Endowed Sustainability Fellows

A Helping Hand

The Darling Institute’s signature program, the DarlingCorps, provides students like Maddie Christian with opportunities to impact the lives and livelihoods of rural citizens in small towns around the Midwest.

Creating a Sustainable Future

The Darling Institute is leading sustainability initiatives in partnership with communities around Iowa and the Midwest.

Cows in a field in front of a wind turbine.

DarlingCorps students will be key contributors to the Grand River Grasslands Consortium, a multi-organizational partnership with the Darling Institute to improve working grasslands and enhance markets for sustainably raised livestock in six counties in Iowa and Missouri.

Drake students sowing seeds in a field.

Through the Darling Institute, environmental science students worked with the town of Perry to conduct prairie restoration to grow the pollinator population for local beekeepers. Students also secured a grant to develop a tallgrass prairie and walking trail to enhance Perry’s Pattee Park.

Perry, Iowa sign.
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Advance Social Change

A journalist and conservation activist, Jay N. Darling is most famous for being a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist for The Des Moines Register.

Darling’s footprint went well beyond his work as a cartoonist. He was passionate about advancing social change through journalism, art, and education. He was a tireless advocate for preserving America’s great natural ecosystems and the creator of the Federal Duck Stamp program, which has raised more than $1.11 billion for the protection of wetlands and wildlife habitats.

Darling’s core values fit perfectly with those of Drake University. His ability to build partnerships, produce results, and balance good business with quality of life and respect for nature makes Darling an ideal role model to inspire change for future generations.

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By elevating Drake together, we will secure a more vibrant future for those who follow our footsteps. Join the ones who will transform Drake’s vision into a reality by adding your support to the campaign for the brave & bold.

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