Kenneth Carlander was a professor of Zoology, Entomology, and Animal Ecology at ISAC/ISU from 1946-1988. Carlander called himself an Animal Ecologist and was eventually given the title "Distinguished Professor" in Animal Ecology. Carlander and his wife, Harriet Bill Carlander, were active members of the United World Federalists from the late 1940s through the 1970s. Harriet B. Carlander published a manuscript on the history of fishing on the upper Mississippi River.

This collection contains research on various aspects of fish and animal ecology, manuscripts of students and colleagues, as well as those of Carlander and his wife, Harriet Bill Carlander, and lecture notes. The collection also contains an extensive amount of material relating to the Carlander's involvement in the United World Federalists and other peace and world government organizations. In addition, the collection contains personal and professional correspondence, including that related to Carlander's work with the Iowa Cooperative Wildlife Research project and various fishery research, including work done on Iowa lakes.