Montana Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Applicants

Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Montana Leopold Conservation Award^®.

The $10,000 award honors ranchers, farmers, and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working land. 

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 28 states. In Montana, the award is presented with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, and the Montana Rangeland Resources Program. 

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others to consider conservation opportunities on their land. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold advocated for “a land ethic,” an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.

Award applications may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may apply themselves. The Montana’s application can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA. 

The application deadline is February 23, 2026. Applications must be emailed to MontanaLCA@sandcountyfoundation.org.

Applications are reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders from Montana. Last year’s recipient was Thomas Herefords of Gold Creek.

“Montana has a rich heritage of agriculture. This award recognizes the tremendous benefits that result from innovative land management by our farmers, producers and forestland owners,” said Amanda Kaster, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Director. 

“These award recipients are examples of how Aldo Leopold’s land ethic is alive and well today,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and CEO. “Their dedication to conservation is both an inspiration to their peers as well as a reminder to all how important thoughtful agriculture is to clean water, healthy soil, and wildlife habitat.”

“As the national sponsor for Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award, American Farmland Trust celebrates the hard work and dedication of the recipients of this award,” said John Piotti, AFT President and CEO. “At AFT we believe that exemplary conservation involves the land itself, the practices employed on the land, and the people who steward it. This award recognizes the integral role of all three.”

The Montana Leopold Conservation Award is made possible through the generous support of the American Farmland Trust, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Montana Rangeland Resources Program, Sand County Foundation, AgWest Farm Credit, Montana Grazing Lands Coalition, Sibanye-Stillwater, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service of Montana, Montana Farm Bureau Federation, Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, Soil and Water Conservation Society, Western Landowners Alliance, Western Sustainability Exchange, and World Wildlife Fund. 

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SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION inspires and empowers private landowners to ethically manage natural resources, so future generations have clean and abundant water, healthy soil to support agriculture and forestry, plentiful habitat for wildlife and opportunities for outdoor recreation. www.sandcountyfoundation.org