The Leopold Archives
In 2007, the Aldo Leopold Foundation and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Archives received a grant from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) to digitize Leopold’s collected papers and photographs.
Physically housed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where Leopold was a professor, the Aldo Leopold Archives represent a wealth of information about the evolution of Leopold’s thinking and the growth of the conservation movement from the early 1900s through his death in 1948 and beyond.
Use of Archival Material
The Aldo Leopold Foundation is the primary steward of Leopold’s writings, correspondence, sketches, photographs, and artifacts, and holds the rights to all materials in the archives.
See our frequently asked questions for answers to the most common questions we receive about the archives, including how to acquire permission to reproduce archival material.
Or if you’re ready to request permission to use archival material, please fill out our permissions request form:
The Photographic Collection
After a trip to Germany in 1935 to study European forestry methods, Leopold brought home a Zeiss camera and gave it to his son Carl. Carl quickly became the family photographer, documenting much of the family’s activity at the Shack in the 1930s and 1940s. The Leopold Foundation maintains Carl’s photographs in an archive that includes more than 1000 images.
View a sample of the most frequently requested photos in the archives or search the full collection.
The Leopold Papers
Leopold was a meticulous and disciplined writer who kept extensive files of important correspondence, memoranda, reports, and related materials.
He also published more than 500 articles, essays, and reports, and his papers contain at least 500 more unpublished essays, reports, and other writings.
He kept detailed journals of his Forest Service activity, travels, hunting and field experiences, and observations and activities at his sand county farm. He also corresponded with his many graduate students, and with hundreds of leaders across a range of scholarly disciplines, professional fields, government agencies, and conservation organizations.
His papers reflect the most advanced thinking and innovative practices across virtually the entire spectrum of natural resource conservation, policy, and management during the first half of the 20th century.
Leopold’s papers are available for viewing in the Aldo Leopold Archives by scholars, policy leaders, and anyone else looking to Leopold for insight and inspiration as we face the complex conservation challenges of the 21st century.
To request permission to use archival material, fill out our permissions request form:
Leopold Archives Transcription Project
Be the first to transcribe the penciled writings that inspired A Sand County Almanac.
Become a volunteer transcriber with the Aldo Leopold Foundation (no experience required!) so more current and future students, scholars, writers, educators, enthusiasts, and more can engage with Leopold’s work.
Questions?
Please view our frequently asked questions page.