Leopold Conservation Award - Wisconsin

Leopold Conservation Award seeks applicants

*** Download an application form ***

Sand County Foundation and Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation are accepting applications for the $10,000 Leopold Conservation Award, which honors Wisconsin farmers who demonstrate responsible stewardship and management of natural resources.

Applications are due by August 10, 2012. Finalists and the winner will be announced in late 2012.

“Through this outstanding partnership, we have been able to recognize the conservation efforts of the Bragger and Koepke families who have built a strong tradition of sustainable agriculture, but they aren’t the only farming families doing exceptional work for natural resources in Wisconsin,” said Brent Haglund, president of Sand County Foundation. “We look forward to honoring more innovative farmers, like the Braggers and Koepkes, who are committed to the enhancement of Wisconsin’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 Wisconsin Farm Bureau appreciates joining forces with the distinguished Sand County Foundation to shine a light on the innovative conservation practices and work that Wisconsin farmers do each day to enhance our environment,” said Bill Bruins, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation President.

The Leopold Conservation Award in Wisconsin is made possible through the generous support of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, American Transmission Company, Rural Mutual Insurance Company, UW-Extension, Farm Credit and Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. Read more ...

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 endure 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.

WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is Wisconsin's largest general farm organization. It represents nearly 24,000 farms and agriculturists who belong to one of 61 county Farm Bureaus found across the state. Much like Wisconsin's diverse agricultural landscape, Farm Bureau members represent all farm commodities, and all farm sizes and management styles. Farm Bureau's mission is to lead the farm and rural community through legislative representation, education, public relations, and leadership development.

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