Coming in April 2007:
Visit the Aldo Leopold Legacy Center

The Legacy Center is an educational and interpretive facility near the Leopold “Shack,” located on the very land where Aldo Leopold died in 1948 fighting a brush fire. Exhibits and guided tours interpret noted conservationist Aldo Leopold’s life and legacy. The building itself is also a unique attraction, featuring forward thinking technologies that allow it to produce as much energy as it consumes. Solar power, geothermal heating and cooling, low water usage, and sustainably harvested building materials are among the components that should earn the Legacy Center a coveted Platinum certification from the US Green Building Council. The Legacy Center is an excellent place to learn more about the man who wrote the conservation classic A Sand County Almanac, and to see how the Leopold Foundation is carrying out its message of a Land Ethic today.

Looking for directions to the Legacy Center? At the moment it is still a working construction site and not set up for drop in visitors yet! However, you can plan to attend the grand opening celebration on Sunday, April 22nd. A map (including remote parking information) for the grand opening is available here.

The Leopold Family
Shack & Farm

The Shack, a re-built chicken coop along the Wisconsin River where the Leopold family stayed during weekend retreats, continues to serve as the heart of the Foundation’s programs.

The land surrounding the Shack and farm provides a living classroom for exploring dynamic ecological relationships. Each year, thousands of visitors are inspired through tours, seminars, and workshops in the same landscape that deeply moved Leopold.

Programs and Visitation

The Aldo Leopold Legacy Center will be open to the public Thursday through Friday from 10am to 4pm, and on Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Guided tours of the Shack for groups of fewer than 9 people are offered from Memorial Day through Labor Day on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. Guided tours of the Leopold Legacy Center, highlighting green building features, are available on the same days at 3:00 p.m. Shack tours last approximately two hours, and building tours last approximately 45 minutes. Self-guided tours are also available during open hours.

Would you like to visit in early spring or late fall?
Guided tours will also be offered on the following selected Saturdays. Shack tours start at 1:00p.m., followed by an optional building tour at 3:00 p.m.

Additional tour dates:

Saturday, May 5th
Saturday, September 8th
Saturday, September 22nd
Saturday, October 13th
Saturday, October 27th

Reservations are not required, but if you are coming in a group of 10 or more participants, we request that you schedule a separate tour date and time in advance. Instructions for group tour reservations may be found below.

Every tour includes the history and philosophy of Aldo Leopold, a visit to the Shack, and a walk through restored prairie and woods. The Foundation recommends a contribution of $15/person for non-members. This funding helps support our continuing education and restoration programs.

The tour route follows rustic trails which may have occasional obstacles such as tree stumps, exposed roots, or downed branches. The Aldo Leopold Foundation assumes no responsibility for any injury and/or accident to a person or persons while visiting the Aldo Leopold farm and Shack.

Group Tours

Educational opportunities are available year-round to groups interested in visiting the original Leopold farm and Shack. Groups of 10 or more may request a tour by downloading a Group Tour Request form (Microsoft Word format) and sending it via e-mail. You may also view and print a PDF version of the Group Tour Request form and send it via fax. Requests must be received by the Foundation at least 10 days prior to the desired tour date and confirmed by the Foundation staff. 

Group Tour Rates

Adults (includes college students):
$10 per person
Minimum number of participants is 10, maximum is 40. Contact us for special arrangements for groups larger than 40 participants.

Student (middle school and high school) groups:
up to 20 participants:              $50
up to 40 participants:              $100
More than 40 participants: Contact us to make special arrangements.

Suggested Group Tour Schedule

1:00 pm - Meet at Legacy Center
1:15 - 3:00 pm - Bus or carpool to Shack for tour
3:00 - 3:45 pm - Return for tour of Legacy Center

Morning schedules are also fine; the above timeline is merely a guideline. The Legacy Center also has space available for bag lunches, and we can get you information on a catered box lunch if you are interested. Please indicate this interest on your tour form.

Work tours are strongly encouraged for high school and college groups that have a few hours and are willing to get their hands dirty. These tours emphasize the importance of ongoing restoration and land management activities. Typical work projects include brush clearing, seed planting and collecting, removing invasive species, and other management activities. Work tours must be scheduled during the week (Mon-Fri) to coincide with schedules of necessary staff to supervise projects. Work tours are offered at a discounted rate of $25 per group.

“On this sand farm in Wisconsin, first worn out and then abandoned by our bigger-better society, we try to rebuild, with shovel and axe what we are losing elsewhere.”

Conference Reservations

The Leopold Legacy Center has two spaces available for rental for conferences and meetings:

The Outlook Conference Wing (capacity 30, boardroom style)
Home Range Hall (capacity 85, lecture style.)

Please contact Jennifer Kobylecky, Education Coordinator, for rates and a reservation form.