New Mexico Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees
January 14, 2025
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 New Mexico Leopold Conservation Award®.
The 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 New Mexico, the $10,000 award is presented with New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts, New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau, and Quivira Coalition.
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 nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The nomination form can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA.
The nomination deadline is May 15, 2025. Nominations must be emailed to NewMexicoLCA@sandcountyfoundation.org.
Nominations are reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders from New Mexico. Ranchers Dick and Megan Lanford of Truth or Consequences received the award in 2024. To view profiles on all past recipients, click here.
“Highlighting the work of farmers and ranchers who steward land, water, and community is more imperative than ever as we continue to see the effects that these collaborative conservation and regenerative agriculture practices have on the resilience of our New Mexico lands. We’re excited to celebrate those who push forward and find innovative practices,” said Leah Ricci, Quivira Coalition Interim Executive 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 award recipients,” 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 New Mexico Leopold Conservation Award is made possible through the generous support of American Farmland Trust, Sand County Foundation, New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts, New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau, Quivira Coalition, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services of New Mexico, American AgCredit, and Taos Ski Valley Foundation.
For more information on the award, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.
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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