Special Events

Nina Leopold Bradley's Induction to Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame

Saturday, April 20, 2012

Nina Leopold Bradley will be one of three inductees to the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame this year. She joins such auspicious company as a John Muir, Gaylord Nelson, and, of course, her father Aldo Leopold. This award is testament not only to Nina's tireless efforts to carry forward her father's ideas, but also to her own dedication to science and conservation. Nina's longterm phenological data-collecting and her support of graduate student research during the early years of the Leopold Memorial Reserve are just two examples cited by her nominator, Dr. Alan Haney. "It is a first for a daughter to follow her father into the distinguished group of recognized conservationists," Haney told us. The induction ceremony will be held at the Schmeekle Reserve in Stevens Point on Saturday, April 20. See the event program for details and how to attend.

Family Day

Saturday, May 18, 2013 - 12:00-4:00pm

Our fourth annual Family Day event at the Leopold Center is coming up! This is a free, family-friendly event, featuring hands-on activities for kids and families, including hikes, live reptiles, hayrides, watercolor painting, and more! Your family can visit the Leopold Shack and explore the woods, prairies, and river just like the Leopold family did 75 years ago. Family Day will run 12-4pm on Saturday, May 18--come on out and bring the kids for an afternoon of fun. If you would you would like to volunteer during this event please contact Anna Hawley at anna@aldoleopold.org or 608-355-0279.

Art Day (takes place last Saturday in October)

Leopold Center trails now open!

Our new upland trail system is now open for hikers to explore. Stop by anytime we are open and ask for a trail map to head out and explore! We are still working on fabricating interpretive signage along the trail, but signs should be installed by this fall. The development of the interpretive trail was funded in part by grants from the Sauk County UW-Extension Arts & Culture Committee, the Natural Resources Foundation's Besadny Grant Program, and the Greater Sauk County Community Foundation. Thank you!

Brown Bag Seminars

Thoughout the year, ALF will offer periodic brownbag seminars from 12-1:30pm on weekdays. Our brown bag lecture series presents cutting-edge ecological research and new interpretations of Aldo Leopold’s writing and philosophy. Bring a bag lunch and join us for these free lunchtime talks at the Leopold Center (get directions here), then plan to stay for the afternoon to tour the Shack, hike our trails, or explore our exhibits to learn more about Leopold’s legacy.

John Hausdoerffer

Friday, April 26 - 12:00-1:30pm

John Hausdoerffer has been a Visiting Fellow with the Leopold Foundation for the month of April. He will end his visit by presenting a lunchtime lecture and discussion on Friday, April 26 from noon-1:30pm. He will examine the environmental justice potential of Leopold's land ethic. Sharing images and interviews from recent research trips around the world, Dr. Hausdoerffer will compare Leopold's notions of 'spiritual dangers,' 'biotic citizenship,' 'land health,' and 'community' with the current philosophies and movements of Vandana Shiva, Winona LaDuke, Devon Pena, and the late Wangari Maathai. Open discussion of a possible 'home/land ethic' that connects the land ethic with environmental justice will close the session.

Andrew Brei

Friday, July 26 - 12:00-1:30pm

Dr. Brei's current research aims to bring together Leopold's notion of an "ecological conscience" and current work on social trends and transmission.  Moral progress being the result, ultimately, of changes in the ways people think, it seems desirable to hasten the cultivation of the mindset Leopold gained himself and encouraged in others.  Dr. Brei will spend time in July at the UW-Madison Archives and the Aldo Leopold Foundation, trying to tie together these conceptual threads.  His presentation on Friday, July 26th, from noon to 1:30, will involve locating "Western" culture's position along the threshold between the second and third stages in Leopold's ethical sequence.  This being very much a work in progress (double-meaning intended), questions and suggestions are welcome.