Local conservationist and Jay C. Hormel Nature Center Director Larry Dolphin received the Distinguished Service Award from the Minnesota division of the Izaak Walton League last weekend.

Dolphin received the honor during the Minnesota Division State Convention held in Wabasha, Minn., on April 21.

He received the award for his leadership at the division and chapter levels in the following roles:

—Minnesota Division president from 2010 to 2012

—Minnesota Division vice president from 2008 to 2010

—Austin Chapter president from 2002 to 2004, 2007 to 2009, program chair since 2000, and state director-at-large from 2007 to 2008

Austin Izaak Walton League member Dave Cole received the stewardship award for his conservation and land efforts, including:

—Co-chair of the Hormel Nature Center land expansion project

—Austin Chapter 10 president from 2004-2007

—Austin Chapter 10 media outreach coordinator since 2006

—Austin Chapter 10 secretary since 2007

—Mower County Fairgrounds’ Game and Fish Building superintendant since 2004

—Developer of Austin Chapter 10 website, austinikes.org