Speaker Buddy Huffaker

Buddy Huffaker
‍Executive Director
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Buddy Huffaker joined the Aldo Leopold Foundation in 1996 as a seasonal intern and has served as Executive Director since 1999.  During his tenure, the foundation has grown into a national conservation organization with international reach, realizing the potential of a Land Ethic.

Through educational and on-the-ground initiatives, Buddy's leadership of the foundation furthers the Leopold family's enduring legacy—a commitment to care for nature and inspire others to do the same. Buddy led the construction of the Aldo Leopold Legacy Center, a testament to energy efficiency and sense of place. The building is certified LEED Platinum and constructed from trees planted by Aldo Leopold and his family.

He leads the preservation of the Leopold Shack & Farm, a National Historic Landmark and setting of Leopold’s masterpiece, A Sand County Almanac, as well as land care of the surrounding 4,000-acre Leopold-Pines Conservation Area. He produced the Emmy Award-winning documentary  Green Fire and supported ten different foreign translations of Leopold’s famous book. Buddy’s leadership in the conservation movement includes service on state and federal advisory committees and participation in three White House Conferences on conservation and environmental education.

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Aldo Leopold & A Sand County Almanac: The Making of an American Classic
This presentation shares the unlikely story of how A Sand County Almanac emerged in Aldo Leopold’s thinking and writing and in turn became a literary classic that helped spark the American conservation movement. Now, having been translated into 16 different languages, Leopold's work serves as a cornerstone of the global environmental movement. 

‍The Makings of a Movement: Conservation’s Past, Present, and Future
This presentation traces the conservation movement from its deep roots to today's challenges and opportunities. The life and legacy of Aldo Leopold and his classic A Sand County Almanac, represent key cornerstones. Leopold's call for a Land Ethic remains as relevant as ever—continuing to inform and inspire conservation efforts today—including the work of your group or gathering.

‍Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for our Time
This presentation provides a biographical sketch of Aldo Leopold and the emergence of his call for a Land Ethic. It also examines the challenges that a conservation movement must address moving forward to truly create an enduring conservation ethic. This presentation includes a Green Fire screening and Q+A.
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‍Living a Land Ethic: Aldo Leopold & Ecological Restoration
Growing from a small worn-out farm in Wisconsin to a 4,000-acre case study for ecological management, this presentation explores how the field of ecological restoration emerged and continues to advances Aldo Leopold’s call for a land ethic. 