Leopold Conservation Award in Utah presented to Darrell Johnson

Sand County Foundation, in collaboration with Utah Farm Bureau Federation and the Utah Cattlemen’s Association, presented its $10,000 Leopold Conservation Award to Darrell Johnson of Tooele County.

“Sand County Foundation is pleased to partner with the Utah Farm Bureau and Utah Cattlemen’s Association to, once again, bring the Leopold Conservation Award to their beautiful state,” said Dr. Brent Haglund, Sand County Foundation President. “The Johnson Family is among the many private landowners in Utah who are leading the way in modern conservation nationwide. This is our second year of presenting the award in Utah, and the Johnsons’ operation is another terrific example of how a well-run ranch can turn a profit while also protecting and restoring natural resources like grassland, water and wildlife.”

The Johnson Ranch has been part of Darrell Johnson’s life for longer than he can remember. He grew up working on the ranch and planned how he would run the operation until he got his opportunity in 1962 when he began to purchase land from his uncles. He partnered with his father, Orson, until 1988.

One of Johnson’s first major initiatives was transforming his land from a juniper/sage community to grassland, which was accomplished through a combination of chaining and prescribed fire, as well as fencing to limit access to cattle. This transition resulted in a significant increase in water flow, including year-round streams that have created riparian areas on the ranch. Johnson is also working with the Utah State Division of Wildlife Resources in selecting a grass seed mix that will enhance habitat for mule deer and sage grouse. 

It is clear that Johnson places a high emphasis on agricultural education and outreach, beginning with his two sons, Bryan and Ed, who live on the ranch and contribute a great deal to the day-to-day operations. Darrell has spoken about environmental science and range management to classes at Brigham Young University, University of Utah, and Utah State University. The Johnsons also open their ranch to research, including projects on climate change, soil fertility, and erosion control.

“I believe the best way to educate everyone, from those unsympathetic to ranching operations to fellow producers, is to be willing to show them the rewards we have reaped by being good stewards of the resources we own and control,” Johnson said.

There were four finalists for the Leopold Conservation Award. In addition to the Johnsons, D.A. Osguthorpe from Summit County, Karl and Raymond Heaton of Kane County and Butch and Jeanie Jensen of Carbon County were all recognized at the Utah Association of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting November 14 in Layton. Aside from the Johnsons, who received the $10,000 Leopold Conservation Award, Sand County Foundation awarded $1,000 to the other three finalists. 

Given in honor of famed conservationist Aldo Leopold, the Leopold Conservation Award recognizes extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. In his influential book, A Sand County Almanac (1949), Aldo 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 award is presented annually in six other states: California, Colorado, Nebraska, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 

In Utah, the Leopold Conservation Award is made possible in part by generous underwriting support from Questar and The Nature Conservancy.

For more information, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org or contact Matt Hargreaves, 801-233-3003, matt.hargreaves@fbfs.com

ABOUT SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION
Sand County Foundation (www.sandscounty.net) 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.

ABOUT THE LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD
The Leopold Conservation Award is a competitive award that recognizes landowner achievement in voluntary conservation. The award consists of a crystal depiction of Aldo Leopold seated on a horse and a check for $10,000.

The awards are presented to accomplish three objectives: First, they recognize extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation on the land of exemplary private landowners. Second, they inspire countless other landowners in their own communities through these examples. Finally, they provide a visible forum where leaders from the agriculture community are recognized as conservation leaders to groups outside of agriculture.

ABOUT THE UTAH FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
The Utah Farm Bureau Federation (Farm Bureau) is Utah’s largest general farm and ranch organization, made up of 28 county Farm Bureaus and more than 21,000 member families. Its mission is to improve the net income of the state’s farmers and ranchers and to represent, protect, and promote agricultural interests throughout the State of Utah. It seeks to find solutions to problems of the farm, ranch, and the rural community through political action, educational, and informational means. The Farm Bureau is a non-governmental, non-partisan, voluntary membership organization, and its efforts are based on grassroots policies developed by members at the local, county, and state levels. Farm Bureau strives to protect and improve the ability of farmers and ranchers engaged in production agriculture to provide a safe and reliable supply of food, fiber, and fuel through responsible stewardship of their resources. It is affiliated with the American Farm Bureau Federation, the world’s largest general farm organization, with more than 6 million family members in 50 states and Puerto Rico.

ABOUT UTAH CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION
The Utah Cattlemen's Association is a cattle industry, member driven, organization formed in 1890 for the purpose of promoting and protecting the business of raising cattle in the State of Utah. The association works to uphold the rights of all persons engaged in the cattle business. Members are encouraged to improve the quality of cattle and beef produced and adopt good principles of management while caring for livestock and the land. The association represents cattlemen on state and local issues and is affiliated with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association on national issues.

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