By Andi Anderson
The 2024 Iowa Leopold Conservation Award is now open for nominations and applications, spotlighting ranchers, farmers, and forestland owners who exemplify exceptional management practices in soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working lands. This prestigious $10,000 award is presented by the Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust, with Iowa partners including Conservation Districts of Iowa and Practical Farmers of Iowa.
Named after renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award seeks to honor landowners who inspire others through their unwavering commitment to environmental improvement. Aldo Leopold's influential book, "A Sand County Almanac," emphasized the importance of a "land ethic" a moral relationship between people and the land they own and manage.
Nominations, whether submitted on behalf of a landowner or by the landowners themselves, are welcomed. The application form is available at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA, and the deadline for submissions is July 1, 2024. Applications can be emailed to award@sandcountyfoundation.org and will be reviewed by an independent panel of Iowa agricultural and conservation leaders. The award recipient will be announced at The Big Soil Health Event later this fall. Loran Steinlage of West Union was the esteemed recipient of last year's award.
Sally Worley, Executive Director of Practical Farmers of Iowa, emphasizes the importance of recognizing farmers prioritizing conservation on their working lands. The award, she states, aligns with PFI's commitment to supporting conservation in agriculture.
Aldo Leopold's legacy, rooted in his native Iowa, continues to inspire land stewardship through conservation efforts. Dien Judge, Executive Director of Conservation Districts of Iowa, praises recipients of the award as living examples of Leopold's enduring land ethic.
The Iowa Leopold Conservation Award is a collaborative effort supported by organizations such as American Farmland Trust, Soil Regen, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Credit Services of America, Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance, Iowa Corn, and Leopold Landscape Alliance.
Join in recognizing and celebrating the dedicated land stewards shaping the future of environmental conservation in Iowa.
Photo Credit: istock-blackjack3d
Categories: Iowa, General