Leopold Conservation Award Program seeks Utah nominees
By Matt Hargreaves
Know a Utah farmer, rancher, or forester who goes above and beyond in the care and management of natural resources? Nominate them for the 2018 Utah Leopold Conservation Award.
The Sand County Foundation, the nation’s leading voice for conservation of private land, presents the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 13 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation.
In Utah, the $10,000 award is presented annually by the Sand County Foundation, the Utah Farm Bureau Federation, Western AgCredit, the Utah Cattlemen’s Association, and the Utah Association of Conservation Districts.
Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water, and wildlife habitat management on private working land.
“The wise use of our resources and care for the land are always on the mind for Utah’s farmers and ranchers,” said Ron Gibson, president of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation. “I’m proud of the great efforts of Utah’s farmers and ranchers to take care of the land. I look forward to recognizing them for what they’ve been doing, and will continue to do, with this prestigious award.”
“Conservationist Aldo Leopold made the following challenge to stewards of the land: ‘Examine each question in terms of what is ethically and aesthetically right, as well as what is economically expedient.’ Utah farmers and ranchers do an exceptional job of meeting this balance, and we encourage them to share their stories by applying for the Leopold Conservation Award,” said David Brown, president of Western AgCredit.
“Utah landowners have a great heritage of caring for the land,” said Brent Tanner, executive vice president of the Utah Cattlemen’s Association. “We are excited every year to see the new applications and hear of the great conservation efforts that are taking place in our state.”
In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.
“Our family has enjoyed being part of the conservation community for years,” said Fred Thurston, a rancher from Morgan County and the 2017 award recipient. “As landowners, we take our responsibility to protect the land, water, and wildlife seriously. We appreciate the opportunity to be recognized with the Leopold Conservation Award. There are many others that deserve to be recognized, and we hope that community and conservation leaders will nominate them so they too can be recognized for the great things happening in Utah agriculture.”
Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application can be found online.
Applications must be postmarked by August 1 and mailed to Leopold Conservation Award, c/o Utah Farm Bureau Federation, 9865 S. State St., Sandy UT 84070.
The Leopold Conservation Award will be presented at the Utah Farm Bureau’s November convention in Layton.
Articles related to “Leopold Conservation Award Program seeks Utah nominees”
Petition to reinstate terminated Dixie State University professors circulating online
Dixie State University is firing people, again — a suggestion on how to respond
Dear Dixie State University and Legend Solar: Show me the money
