Where Ethics Meet Earth

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!

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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 250^th 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.  

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.

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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!

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Join us this March for Leopold Week 2026—a virtual speaker series featuring Dr. Jennifer Grenz, Alexis Nikole Nelson, and Dr. Dacher Keltner. Together we will explore the places, practices, and people that can help us heal ourselves and the Earth.

March 10 – Connection  

Tune in for a presentation and conversation with Dr. Jennifer Grenz (@jennifer_grenz), assistant professor and Indigenous Scholar at the University of British Columbia and author of the best-selling book Medicine Wheel for the Planet: A Journey Toward Personal and Ecological Healing. Grenz will share fascinating stories from her work to address environmental challenges like wildfire recovery and food security alongside Indigenous knowledge keepers and community members, highlighting how connecting Western and Indigenous sciences can both heal the land and the communities who depend on it.

March 11 – Nourishment —Content no longer available

Hear from chef, forager, and influencer Alexis Nikole Nelson (@TheBlackForager) who shares the joy of foraging the wild foods, medicines, and fibers found right in our own neighborhoods. In Nelson’s eyes, foraging not only helps us supplement our diets with nourishing, accessible foods, but also connects us with the land we live on and the people who have been cooking with wild foods for centuries. Learn how to start snacking for free in your own backyard and be a good steward along the way!   

 March 12 – Awe  

Join a conversation with Dr. Dacher Keltner, a leading scholar in the study of emotions and author of Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life. Keltner will share how experiencing awe in nature—whether looking out at a stunning vista or simply watching an interesting bird—can make us happier, kinder humans and better stewards of the land.  

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