SAN FRANCISCO — Know a California farmer, rancher or forester who goes above and beyond in the care and management of natural resources? Nominate them for the 2020 California Leopold Conservation Award®.
Sand County Foundation presents the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 20 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. In California the $10,000 award is presented with Sustainable Conservation and California Farm Bureau Federation.
Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private, working land. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.
Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/
The application deadline date is July 15, 2020. Applications can be emailed to award@sandcountyfoundation.org
Leopold Conservation Award
c/o Sustainable Conservation
98 Battery Street, Suite 302
San Francisco, CA 94111
Applications are reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders.
“In light of our collective COVID-19 reality, it is more important than ever to celebrate farms and farmworkers in their essential efforts to feed and lead our nation,” said Ashley Boren, Executive Director of Sustainable Conservation. “We are taking all precautions and measures to ensure the Leopold Conservation Award proceeds safety for both our applicants and our internal team. We encourage applicants to reach out with questions or concerns.”
“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.”
“Recipients of this award are real life examples of conservation-minded agriculture,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer. “These hard-working families are essential to our environment, food system and rural economy.”
The Leopold Conservation Award in California is made possible thanks to the generous support of Sustainable Conservation, California Farm Bureau Federation, Sand County Foundation, The Harvey L. & Maud S. Sorensen Foundation, Farm Credit, The Nature Conservancy in California, McDonald’s and California 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. Rominger Brothers Farms of Winters received the award in 2019.
For more information on the award, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.
–Sand County Foundation
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