Do you know a Wisconsin farmer, rancher or forester who goes above and beyond in the care and management of natural resources? If so nominations are now open for the 2018 Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award.
Sand County Foundation, the nation’s leading voice for private land conservation, presents the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 13 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation.
Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes those who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private, working land.
In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.
“Leopold Conservation Award nominees show that private land owners can be both profitable in their business and champions of the environment. The stewardship they have embraced is all the more necessary as increasing productivity is expected from every acre,” said Jim VandenBrook, Wisconsin Land and Water Executive Director.
In Wisconsin the $10,000 award is presented annually by Sand County Foundation, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board and Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association.
“Being a good steward of the land is a large component of being a successful farmer,” said Jim Holte, Wisconsin Farm Bureau President. “The Leopold Conservation Award recognizes farmers who demonstrate a high standard of care for their soil, water and livestock. I encourage farmers to apply for this award to highlight how they protect and care for our resources.”
Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application can be found at https://sandcountyfoundation.org/uploads/WI-2018-CFN-Hi-res.pdf.
Applications must be postmarked by August 4, 2018 and mailed to Leopold Conservation Award, c/o Sand County Foundation, 131 W. Wilson St., Suite 610, Madison, WI 53711.
Finalists will be announced this fall. The award will be presented at the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Meeting in December.
The Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award is made possible through the generous support of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Compeer Financial, Alliant Energy Foundation, American Transmission Company, Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association, We Energies Foundation, and USDA NRCS.
Sand County Foundation is the nation’s leading voice for private conservation. Based in Madison, the non-profit organization is dedicated to working with private landowners to advance the use of ethical and scientifically sound land management practices that benefit the environment. For more information, visit www.sandcountyfoundation.org
