empowering landowners Advancing a land ethic

Photo Credit: Nick Bristol

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Read more about the Campaign for Conservation here

SUPPORT SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION'S CAMPAIGN FOR CONSERVATION

Farmers, ranchers and foresters who own and manage most of the private land in this nation hold the keys to environmental improvement. Their livelihoods are tied to the health of the land, but they urgently need information, data, and examples to follow to improve the environment while they produce food and fiber.

The next five to ten years represents an historic opportunity to scale up conservation on private land. Why? Because more than a third of American farmers and ranchers will soon transition their businesses to the next generation.

Now more than ever, Sand County Foundation needs your help to expand our capacity to engage with these landowners to improve water quality, soil health and wildlife habitat. Make an investment in our Campaign for Conservation today!

75%

of the land in the contiguous U.S. is privately owned

85%

of private land is productive, working land like farms, ranches and forests

1%

of American citizens manage agricultural land

The Unmet Challenge

As the population increases, and pressure on our natural resources intensifies, we are faced with critical environmental challenges related to soil health, water quality and quantity, and fisheries and wildlife habitat. New approaches are needed to inspire and enable private landowners to address these issues while operating their businesses in an era of unprecedented change. Sand County Foundation is leading the way.

Recognizing Conservation Leadership

Our network of leading private land stewards has grown out of our Leopold Conservation Award® Program. This prestigious honor is given to outstanding farmers, ranchers and foresters for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation.

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Mentoring land stewards

Our Land Ethic Mentorship Program connects award-winning farmers and ranchers as conservation mentors for historically-underserved producers nationwide.

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Enhancing Soil and Water

Sand County Foundation works with landowners to solve critical soil and water issues. We are testing and modeling practices that can improve soil health and reduce surface water pollution.

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Partner With Us

Your gift, no matter the size, helps Sand County Foundation build our capacity to engage with farmers, ranchers and foresters to improve water quality, soil health and wildlife habitat.

Contribute

Upcoming Events

Siting Prairie Strips for Water Quality & Farm Profitability

Join our Winter Webinar Series to learn more about Prairie Strips, a new conservation practice for farmers and crop consultants.

This webinar has free Continuing Education Units for Certified Crop Advisors: Soil & Water Management: 0.5 and Crop Management: 0.5

February 8 , 2022 - 8:00AM to 9:00AM

Irrigation & Nutrient Management Clinic

Dr. Heidi Peterson will speak on the economics of soil health at this clinic hosted by the East Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District.

February 10 , 2022 - 9:00AM to 2:00PM
Perham, Minnesota

Establishing and Managing Prairie Strips

Join our Winter Webinar Series to learn more about Prairie Strips, a new conservation practice for farmers and crop consultants.

This webinar has a free Continuing Education Unit for Certified Crop Advisors: Soil & Water Management: 1

February 15 , 2022 - 8:00AM to 9:00AM
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“A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise."

- Aldo Leopold

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