Perhaps you’ve read A Sand County Almanac more times than you can remember—or perhaps you discovered Aldo Leopold more recently, through receiving a gift of a Phenology Calendar or by attending one of our tours or virtual presentations. However and whenever you first learned about the land ethic and the work that we do here at the foundation, we know that you share our mission and values—and that carrying that torch for generations to come is important to you.
By making a planned gift to the Aldo Leopold Foundation, you are contributing to a sense of hope for the future—knowing that the work we do will continue to nurture and train conservation leaders, restore and preserve wild places, and promote land ethics to diverse communities.
Recent Good Oak Society Inductees
Gary Pearson records each reading of ASCA inside the cover of his personal copy.
“Aldo Leopold has been the primary guiding force in my life for the last 54 years.” —Gary Pearson, DVM, North Dakota
Joann Ringelstetter with Buddy Huffaker at the Shack.
“With every interaction I’ve had with this organization, I have come away feeling like I really matter.” —Joann Ringelstetter, Wisconsin
Close-up of Karen Mesmer’s Good Oak Society plaque.
“One of the many things that I love about the Aldo Leopold Foundation is that they preserve history and train for the future of conservation.” —Karen Mesmer, Ph.D., Wisconsin
Who Is Good Oak?
Good Oak Society members are individuals from all walks of life who have included the Aldo Leopold Foundation in their will or estate plan. Having a strong legacy giving program helps ensure that the foundation will continue to thrive in the future, regardless of economic downturns. And, because planned giving has no immediate effect on your personal finances, anyone—regardless of income level—can use their lifetime earnings to leave a lasting legacy for the future.
Legacy (or planned) gifts can take a number of different forms. Some supporters have included us as a beneficiary of their will, retirement plan, or life insurance policy; others have contributed to our endowment, or bequeathed personal property to the foundation. You may direct your gift to specific program areas that you feel most connected to, and you can leave as much or as little as you wish—there is no gift too small to make an impact. However you choose to give, you can take satisfaction in knowing that you are part of an important legacy.
Informing us of your intent to leave a bequest or other planned gift to the Aldo Leopold Foundation enables us to better plan for the future and thank you by recognizing you as a member of the Good Oak Society.
To learn more, or to join your legacy with ours by becoming a member of the Good Oak Society, please contact us by one of the following methods:
Learn more about our legacy giving program
Email: give@aldoleopold.org
Phone: 608-355-0279, ext. 27