On view Aug. 24–Dec. 18, 2026.
Original watercolor painting (“Mallards Dropping In”) used for Ding Darling’s first wildlife conservation stamps in 1934. Jay N. “Ding” Darling Papers, Special Collections and Archives, University of Iowa Libraries.
A Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist for The Des Moines Register, Jay N. “Ding” Darling (1876–1962) was also one of the nation’s most influential figures in the American conservation movement. Appointed director of the U.S. Bureau of Biological Survey (later part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Darling made historic attempts to answer his growing concerns about industrialism’s impact on the environment.
In celebration of the 150th anniversary of his birth, this exhibition explores the transformation of Iowa’s environmental landscape during Darling’s life and his contributions to environmental and wildlife conservation advocacy nationwide. It also showcases how his legacy lives on today both locally and across the country, and how other Iowans have played key roles in our state’s conservation efforts. Curated by librarians Lindsay Moen and Collin Vandewalle, It’s Been Wonderful Knowing You highlights the Jay N. “Ding” Darling Papers from Special Collections and Archives, specimens from the University of Iowa Museum of Natural History, and more from across the Libraries.
Credits
Exhibition Curation
Lindsay Moen
Lead Public Services Librarian
Special Collections and Archives
Collin Vandewalle
Exhibit Support Librarian
Special Collections and Archives
Guest Curation: BlueGAP
Eric Gidal
Professor, English
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Adelina Pineda Canganelli
Graduate Student, English PhD and MA, Library and Information Science
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Preparation and Conservation
Bill Voss, Conservator Technician and Exhibit Preparator
Giselle Simón, University Conservator
Design
Lauren Coghlan, Creative Coordinator
Exhibition Project Coordination
Sara J. Pinkham, Exhibition and Engagement Coordinator, Main Library Gallery
Exhibition and Program Support
Cecil Campbell, Exhibition and Engagement Student Lead, Main Library Gallery
Installation
Bill Voss, Lauren Coghlan, Sara J. Pinkham, Giselle Simón, Cecil Campbell, Kaleb Turnbough
Materials Access Support
Lindsay Moen
Exhibit Technology
Chris Clark, Senior IT Support Consultant
Will Brown, IT Support Consultant
Website
Ken Clinkenbeard, Web Services Specialist
Sara J. Pinkham
Communications
Anne Bassett, Senior Director, Strategic Communications and External Relations
Brook Wilder, Communications Specialist
Kaleb Turnbough, Graphic Design Student Lead
Financial Support
University of Iowa Libraries Exhibits and Galleries Fund
Special Thanks and Additional Assistance
Peter Balestrieri, Hailee McCormick, Diane Ray, Elizabeth Riordan, and Jenna Silver from UI Libraries Special Collections and Archives; Anna Holland and Kate Orazem from Iowa Women’s Archives; Hope Bibens and Drake University Archives and Special Collections; Liz Crooks, Elizabeth Fouts, and Cindy Optiz at the Pentacrest Museums; Allison Sheridan and Adrienne Gennett at Iowa State University Museums; Kate Giannini at IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering; Meredith Roemerman at Bur Oak Land Trust; Pat Bowen, Deb Schoelerman, and the 100 Grannies; Mitchell Toda and Baasil Wilder at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum; Jenn Ackerman and Tim Gruber; the Sioux City Public Museum; and Alex Braidwood, Bethany Davis, Carmela Furio, Patricia Gimenez, Tracy Grimm, Sid Huttner, Damien Ihrig, Graci Moore, Jason Smith, Dick and Sharon Stilwell, and Kevin Storey.
We also share appreciation for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society, J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other individuals and teams working in conservation.