About Us

Connecting Legacies for Future Generations

Our Goals

The Darling Institute has four primary goals:

  1. Increase awareness of and appreciation for Jay Norwood Darling’s contribution to American culture in the areas of conservation, political commentary, art, and citizenship.
  2. Facilitate development of academic programming to encourage research, scholarship, and outreach; and provide a destination for people inspired by Mr. Darling’s accomplishments.
  3. Connect to future generations through the development of Our Outdoor Heroes Curriculum Program, Artist in Studio Program, and International Leadership Internship Program.
  4. Support and promote the many organizations across the country that bear the Darling footprint, including the Federal Duck Stamp Program, The National Wildlife Federation, Cooperative Research Units Program, and The Wildlife Society
  5. Acquisition of Darling artifacts for research, study, and display.

Our Story

Honoring promises and fulfilling dreams—read Sam Koltinsky’s words as he talks about the inspiration for the Jay N. Darling Institute and beyond!

Special Recognition to the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society–Friends of the Refuge on Sanibel Island, Florida, for its support for the use of the “Ding” Darling name and editorial cartoons.

We would also like to thank Christopher “Kip” and Andrea Koss for providing artwork for our fundraising opportunities.