Know a California farmer, rancher or forester who goes above and beyond in the care and management of natural resources? Nominate them for the 2019 California Leopold Conservation Award.
Applications must be postmarked by July 15, 2019. Mail applications to:
Leopold Conservation Award
c/o Sustainable Conservation
98 Battery Street, Suite 302
San Francisco, CA 94111
Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application can be found at:https://sandcountyfoundation.org/uploads/CA-CFN-LR.pdf
Sand County Foundation, the nation’s leading voice for the conservation of private land, presents the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 20 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. In Californiathe $10,000 award is presented with Sustainable Conservationand California Farm Bureau Federation.
Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their exemplary dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private, working lands. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.
“Aldo Leopold inspires Lundberg Family Farms to continue our family’s commitment to conservation, nutrition and innovation,” said Bryce Lundberg, VP of Agricultural Operations for the farm, which received the award in 2018. “Lundberg Family Farms encourages other farmers, ranchers and foresters to connect with Leopold and submit an application.”
“From clean and abundant water, to breathable air, to healthy wildlife, keeping California the special place we all love requires everyone doing their part,” said Ashley Boren, Executive Director of Sustainable Conservation, which has co-sponsored the award since its launch in California more than a decade ago. “On the front lines of conservation are many deserving, but often overlooked, landowner heroes stepping up every day to steward our environment and Californians’ quality of life. The Leopold Conservation Award celebrates these inspiring individuals and families, and co-sponsors hope farmers, ranchers and other private landowners come forward this year to be recognized.”
“The Leopold Conservation Award provides outstanding recognition of farmers and ranchers who often take small steps to realize big gains in managing their farms in a sustainable and profitable manner,” said Jamie Johansson, California Farm Bureau Federation President. “The awarded families are great examples of the generational appreciation farmers and ranchers have for their land. The stewardship they employ at their farms and ranches serves as a great example of California farmers’ and ranchers’ commitment to the environment.”
“Leopold Conservation Award recipients are at the forefront of a movement by America’s farmers and ranchers to simultaneously achieve economic and environmental success,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer.
The Leopold Conservation Award in Californiais made possible thanks to the generous support of Sustainable Conservation, the California Farm Bureau Federation, Farm Credit West,American Ag Credit,The Harvey L. & Maud S. Sorensen Foundation,The Nature Conservancy in California, McDonald’s, andCalifornia LCA recipient alumni.
The Leopold Conservation Award will be presented at the California Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Meeting in December.
The first California Leopold Conservation Award recipient was selected in 2006. Lundberg Family Farms of Richvale received the award in 2018.
For more information on the award, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.
