Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Applicants
December 05, 2025
Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award®.
The $10,000 award honors farmers, ranchers, 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 Nebraska, the $10,000 award is presented with Cargill, Nebraska Cattlemen, and the Nebraska Environmental Trust.
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 nominate themselves. The application form can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA.
The nomination deadline is March 1, 2026. Applications must be emailed to NebraskaLCA@sandcountyfoundation.org.
“Conservation is more than a practice, it is a way of life and reflects one’s strong belief in leaving the land better than they found it for generations to come,” said Laura Field, Nebraska Cattlemen Executive Vice President. “Nebraska Cattlemen is proud to sponsor the Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award as we recognize the individuals who go above and beyond in their conservation efforts and carry out the long tradition of environmental stewardship.”
“At Cargill, we believe land conservation is a shared responsibility and a foundation for a thriving future. Supporting the Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award aligns with our commitment to ethical business practices and sustainable food production,” said Katrina Robertson, General Manger, AVP-Cargill Beef, of Schuyler, Nebraska. “We’re honored to celebrate those who lead the way in caring of Nebraska’s land and natural resources.”
“The Sand County Foundation is doing important work to recognize sustainable agricultural activities in Nebraska and BASF is proud to support these efforts as a sponsor in 2026. We look forward to celebrating a Nebraska farmer who is prioritizing environmental stewardship in farm operations,” said Jessica Monserrate, head of Sustainability of BASF Agricultural Solutions, North America.
“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 first Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award was presented in 2006. The 2025 recipient of the award was Diamond Bar Ranch of Stapleton. To view profiles of all past recipients of the award, visit www.sandcountyfoundation.org/Nebraska.
The Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award is made possible thanks to the generous support of American Farmland Trust, Cargill, Nebraska Environmental Trust, Nebraska Cattlemen, BASF, Sand County Foundation, Farm Credit Services of America, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service of Nebraska, Audubon Great Plains, Green Cover Seed, Lyle Sittler Memorial Fund, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Nebraska Partners for Fish & Wildlife, Rainwater Basin Joint Venture, Sandhills Task Force, University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Natural Resources, and World Wildlife Fund-Northern Great Plains.
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SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION inspires and empowers farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners to ethically care for the land to sustain water resources, build healthy soil, and enhance wildlife habitat. www.sandcountyfoundation.org