An upcoming documentary will share the life story of Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling. Darling, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, was known for his editorial cartoons as well as his environmental stewardship.

An upcoming documentary will share the life story of Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling. Darling, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, was known for his editorial cartoons as well as his environmental stewardship. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Darling’s death and Sam Koltinsky, with Marvo Entertainment Group, Princeton, Ky., is leading the way in recording Darling’s history via a documentary to be titled “America’s Darling.”

Darling, who was born in 1876, attended college at Beloit College with the intention of going on to medical school. While working at the Sioux City Journal in Iowa, to pay for his schooling, he began to draw cartoons and caricatures. He gave up thoughts of medical school and became a political cartoonist.

In addition, Darling had strong feelings about the environment. He is quoted as saying, “Land, water and vegetation are just that dependent on one another. Without these three primary elements in natural balance, we can have neither fish nor game, wild flowers nor trees, labor nor capital, nor sustaining habitat for humans.”

His extraordinary life will be portrayed in the documentary focusing on his work to preserve the environment.

Darling was appointed head of the Iowa Fish and Game Commission in 1931, after winning his first Pulitzer in 1924. He started the first Cooperative Wildlife Research Center in 1932 and was elected as the first president of the National Wildlife Foundation in 1936. He also served as Chief of the U.S. Biological Survey which is now the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The National Conservation Training Center, specifically Mark Madison, historian, are assisting with the documentary, Koltinsky said. The film will feature rarely-seen etchings from the Center’s Special Collection of Darling’s etchings.

In addition, the film will also showcase Darling’s actual voice via an audio collection recently donated to the University of Iowa’s Special Collections by Darling’s grandson, Kip Koss. Koss is also working closely with Marvo Entertainment on the entire project.

Koltinsky credits the inspiration for the documentary to Koss, who was very close to his grandfather.

According to Marvo spokesperson LuAnne Cervelli, “Darling promoted awareness of urgent environmental issues and became directly involved in creating legislation and programming that still benefits us today.”

Koltinsky did not indicate a final date for completion of the documentary. Those interested in the project are encouraged to visit www.marvoentertainmentgroup.com.