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Nature needs YOUR land ethic!
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Guided by Aldo Leopold’s idea of the Land Ethic®, we champion both tangible and philosophical transformations for those dedicated to conservation, promoting responsible land stewardship and safeguarding our natural community.
At the core of the Aldo Leopold Foundation is a group of dedicated conservationists. We aim to bridge the wisdom of pioneering conservationists with the pressing needs of the present. Our approach is rooted in inspirational storytelling, promoting a land ethic and celebrating successes that inspire and empower individuals to make a difference. We value diverse perspectives as we work to preserve the natural world for future generations.
We offer a variety of programming, from in-person tours and exhibits to virtual events and webinars. No matter your interests, there are plenty of ways to engage.
Your support upholds and advances our mission of environmental stewardship. We deeply appreciate every contribution and invite you to join our mission by giving today.
Want to learn more about conservation? Our robust library of digital resources contains information for learners of all ages, as well as materials for educators.
In his book, A Sand County Almanac, Aldo notes the arrival of geese in March, and the blooming of silphium in July. Phenology is the study of the timing of these seasonal events and is a Leopoldian tradition that continues to help build deeper relationships with the natural world. The 2027 calendar is a vibrant guide to the natural wonders unfolding each month. Treat the nature lovers in your life or start a tradition of your own!
From deer camp and fishing trips to walks through the woods, spending time outdoors is a quintessential part of Midwestern culture. And no one knows that better than Wisconsin’s own Charlie Berens—a comedian, best-selling author, and journalist known for his wildly popular sketch and stand-up comedy that spotlights the Midwest (Manitowoc Minute). Join us for a donor-exclusive special edition of Land Ethic Live where we’ll talk with Charlie about how he uses comedy to connect people, how he explores —and exploits— Midwestern culture, and how his own land ethic is evolving. Laughs and learning guaranteed—it'll be a hoot – Oh, yeah, you betcha!
This event is a fundraiser for the Aldo Leopold Foundation, open only to new and existing donors. Make a gift of $25 or more to gain access.
Our new journal and planner features monthly Leopold quotes and original nature illustrations by former artist Max Sorenson. Let the seasonal meditations and gorgeous sketches connect you to the biotic community, no matter what you put on the page. The journal and planner is suitable for use in any year―or over multiple years!
In its 250-year history, America has birthed plenty of revolutionaries. In the realm of conservation, though, few names come close to Aldo.
In an era when extractive land use was threatening America’s lands, waters, wildlife, and ways of life, Aldo Leopold took innovative action to change how we relate to and treat the land. From securing the nation’s very first wilderness area in the Southwest to pioneering prairie restoration and wildlife ecology back home, Leopold revolutionized American conservation through a unique blend of science, spirituality, ethics, and language.
But just how did a nature-lover with a knack for storytelling come to fundamentally change how we treat the land? And is this conservation revolution over, or do we have something more to learn?
In celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary, join us on Land Ethic Live to hear from environmental journalist and author Ben Goldfarb (Eager, Crossings) as he shares the ripples of Aldo’s revolutionary wisdom in today’s world. Listen in as Ben shares insights from his new essay about Leopold in Smithsonian Magazine’s special edition on American revolutionaries, and how Leopold intersects with contemporary environmental issues—from beavers to the roadless rule.
Do you consider the fungus among us?
Our scientific understanding of mushrooms and other fungi has been shaped and impeded by mycophobia, a condition of fear and revulsion to the peculiarities of this kingdom of life. However, fungi show us cooperative, alternative, entangled, interdependent, and more-than-human modes of living that are worth studying, imitating, and learning from.
Join us on Thursday, August 13 to hear from mycologist Dr. Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian—author of Forest Euphoria: The Abounding Queerness of Nature—as she shares the fascinating, though often-misunderstood, world of fungi and how rethinking our relationship with these incredible organisms can help us appreciate and build a healthier, more diverse biotic community. Enjoy a presentation featuring Kaishian’s insights from a lifetime spent studying these underappreciated species and stick around for the live Q+A to talk all things fungi!
This event is a fundraiser for the Aldo Leopold Foundation, open only to new and existing donors. Make a gift of $25 or more to gain access.
From deer camp and fishing trips to walks through the woods, spending time outdoors is a quintessential part of Midwestern culture. And no one knows that better than Wisconsin’s own Charlie Berens—a comedian, best-selling author, and journalist known for his wildly popular sketch and stand-up comedy that spotlights the Midwest (Manitowoc Minute).
Join us for a donor-exclusive special edition of Land Ethic Live where we’ll talk with Charlie about how he uses comedy to connect people, how he explores —and exploits— Midwestern culture, and how his own land ethic is evolving. Laughs and learning guaranteed—it'll be a hoot – Oh, yeah, you betcha!
Conservation spaces haven't always felt welcoming to everyone. But what if inclusion was not an afterthought, but the foundation? In this engaging, story-driven presentation, Dexter Patterson shares how the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin is reimagining what conservation culture can look like. Through the lens of community birding, Dexter explores how joy, accessibility, and intentional design can break down barriers and invite more people outdoors.
Grounded in real-world experiences, this talk highlights practical strategies that organizations can implement immediately, including creating no-judgment learning environments, designing family-friendly and accessible programs, building meaningful partnerships, and prioritizing representation in outdoor spaces. From “Spark Bird” moments to large-scale community impact, this session offers a compelling case study of how an inclusive culture not only strengthens communities but also leads to better conservation outcomes.
Participants will leave with practical tools, a new perspective, and a renewed understanding that when more people feel they belong in nature, both humans and wildlife benefit.
How to love. How to work. How to be present with the dying. How to hope against all odds. For author and lifelong outdoorswoman Pam Houston, animals have always been the greatest teachers. From tenacious Icelandic horses who ride through snowstorms at thirty miles an hour to Irish wolfhounds who remain loyal and joyful to their final day, animals teach us how to live in a troubling world—that is, if we are paying attention.
Join us on Land Ethic Live for a conversation with Pam Houston, author of Deep Creek: Finding Hope in the High Country and Cowboys Are My Weakness, on the life-changing lessons she has learned from a life spent among animals both wild and domestic, tales from stewarding for a ranch in the high country of Colorado, ecological grief, and more. Plus, enjoy an exclusive reading from her brand new book Animals Taught Me Everything, forthcoming in October 2026!
Aldo Leopold was a pioneering American ecologist, forester, and environmentalist who profoundly influenced the modern conservation movement. Best known for his book A Sand County Almanac, Leopold introduced the concept of a "Land Ethic®," emphasizing the interconnectedness of humans and the land they inhabit, which serves as the cornerstone of the Aldo Leopold Foundation’s modern-day mission. Today, Leopold's legacy continues to inspire and guide our efforts toward conservation and harmonious coexistence with the natural world.
The Aldo Leopold Foundation was founded in 1982 with a mission to foster the Land Ethic® through the legacy of Aldo Leopold, awakening an ecological conscience in people throughout the world.
"Land Ethic®" is a registered service mark of the Aldo Leopold Foundation, to protect against egregious and/or profane use.
Stay connected through our down-to-earth e-news.