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.
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. A recording of this program will be available immediately after the live session. Gary Nabhan is an Arab-American interaction ecologist and Franciscan Brother who works cross-culturally on plant conservation and biocultural restoration in the U.S., Mexico, and Middle East. He is the author of numerous books, the most recent being Agave Spirits: The Past Present, and Future of Mescals (2023). You can learn more about Gary, his work, and his writing at www.garynabhan.com/
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.
Leopold’s appreciation of wild lands evolved across his career, just as the American concept of wilderness has changed over time. Join Leopold biographer and foundation Senior Fellow Dr. Curt Meine as he tracks this evolution, revealing how and why Leopold and our society at large have come to revere – or reject – the idea of wilderness.
First-time donors this Giving Season will Double Your Impact up to $20,000 total!
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.