Leopold Conservation Award - South Dakota

Leopold Conservation Award seeks applicants in South Dakota

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Sand County Foundation, the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association and the South Dakota Grassland Coalition are accepting applications for the $10,000 Leopold Conservation Award, which honors South Dakota landowners who demonstrate responsible stewardship and management of natural resources.

“The past two award recipients, the Doud and Mortenson families, have built a strong tradition of sustainable agriculture, but they aren’t the only families doing exceptional work for natural resources in South Dakota,” said Brent Haglund, president of Sand County Foundation. “We look forward to honoring more innovative farmers and ranchers, like the Douds and Mortensons, who are committed to the enhancement of South Dakota’s landscape.”

Given in honor of Aldo Leopold, the Leopold Conservation Award recognizes extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation, inspires other landowners in their communities through these examples and provides a visible forum where leaders from the agricultural community are recognized as conservation leaders outside of the industry. In his influential book, “A Sand County Almanac” (1949), Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage, which he called “an evolutionary possibility and an ecological necessity.”

"The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association is proud to be part of the Leopold Conservation Award as one aspect of our work to enhance a profitable business climate for current and future beef producers,” said Jeff Smeenk, president, South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association. “Implementation of novel conservation practices is imperative for future generations of farmers and ranchers to meet the food requirements of a growing world population. By recognizing the important role of private landowners as stewards of the resources in our care, we can further encourage conservation and innovation in the production of food and fiber.” Read more ...

SOUTH DAKOTA PARTNERS:

SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION

Sand County Foundation is a private, non-profit conservation group dedicated to working with private landowners to improve habitat on their land. Sand County’s mission is to advance the use of ethical and scientifically sound land management practices and partnerships for the benefit of people and their rural landscapes. Sand County Foundation works with private landowners because the majority of the nation’s fish, wildlife, and natural resources are found on private lands. The organization backs local champions, invests in civil society and places incentives before regulation to create solutions that ensure and grow. The organization encourages the exercise of private responsibility in the pursuit of improved land health as an essential alternative to many of the commonly used strategies in modern conservation.

SOUTH DAKOTA CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION

The South Dakota Cattlemen's Association is a member-driven organization working to advance and protect the interests of all cattlemen. SDCA works to facilitate a profitable business climate and promote environmental stewardship.

SOUTH DAKOTA GRASSLAND COALITION

The South Dakota Grassland Coalition is a non- profit organization that seeks the voluntary improvement of grasslands for the long-term needs of the resource and its various species. The SD Grassland Coalition is dedicated to improving and maintaining the State’s grasslands by informing and guiding grassland managers to make cost-effective and environmentally sound management decisions.

SPONSORS

The Leopold Conservation Award is made possible through the generous support of: