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.
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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.
The history of the Gila is a microcosm of a long-standing debate: what is wilderness? Does Wilderness–big W–even exist in the way that Aldo Leopold imagined? When additional voices are included, namely those of Indigenous cultures that have lived in the region for thousands of years, how is the conversation reframed? These are the questions at the center of the upcoming Gila Centennial speaker series in Silver City, New Mexico. Join us to learn from the diversity of wilderness perspectives and to challenge your own understanding of land and wild spaces. Click to learn more!
For the first 15 years of his career, Aldo Leopold worked in the arid landscapes of the Southwest. This region is rich in culture and biodiversity, and both have been impacted by settlement, development, and a changing climate. Drawing from decades of preserving place-based Southwestern agricultural plants and his cross-cultural work with Indigenous communities, Gary Paul Nabhan will describe the efforts of scientists and Indigenous leaders to safeguard the ceremonial plants that are essential to both humans and ecosystems in the Southwest.
Some 40 million miles of roadways encircle the earth, yet we tend to regard them only as infrastructure for human convenience. While roads are so widespread they’re practically invisible to us, wild animals experience them as alien forces of disruption. Today, road ecologists seek to blunt that destruction through innovative solutions. Conservationists are building bridges for California’s mountain lions, engineers are deconstructing the labyrinth of logging roads in national forests, and community organizers are working to undo the havoc highways have wreaked upon American cities. In this virtual program, Ben Goldfarb will discuss the ecological harms wrought by transportation and the movement to redress them — and how we can create a better, safer world for all living beings. A recording of this program will be available immediately after the live event.
Tune in to the Leopold Week 2024 Kick-Off Event to hear the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, Randy Moore, give a special message about Aldo Leopold’s impact and his connection to the agency.
The calendar is rooted in the Leopold family’s passion for phenology, the study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events. The 2024 edition is larger and brighter, complete with show-stopping nature photography and dates for scores of natural phenomena.
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.