Utah Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees
January 21, 2025
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Utah 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 Utah the award is presented with Utah Farm Bureau Federation, Western AgCredit and Utah Cattlemen’s Association.
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 date is August 1, 2025. Nominations can be emailed to UtahLCA@sandcountyfoundation.org. If mailed, applications must be postmarked by August 1, and mailed to:
Leopold Conservation Award
c/o Utah Farm Bureau Federation
9865 S. State Street
Sandy, UT 84070
Nominations are reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders from Utah. The 2025 Utah Leopold Conservation Award will be presented at the Utah Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Meeting in November.
The first Utah Leopold Conservation Award recipient was selected in 2007. Flying M Ranch of Hansel Valley received the award in 2024. To view profiles of all past recipients of the award, click here.
“Farmers and ranchers are the original conservationists, and they continue today to utilize tried and true practices, along with emerging technology, to conserve water, improve range ground, and enhance wildlife habitat,” said Western AgCredit President David Brown. “Utah farmers and ranchers have a great conservation story to tell, and we encourage them to showcase their contributions to environmental stewardship by applying for the Leopold Conservation Award.”
“Utah’s farmers and ranchers are always thinking about how to wisely use our resources and take care of the land,” said ValJay Rigby, Utah Farm Bureau Federation President. “I’m really proud of their dedication to preserving our land and water, which is top of mind for many Utahns right now. I look forward to recognizing these hardworking farm and ranch families with this prestigious award for all they’ve done and keep doing.”
“Utah farmers and ranchers do an amazing job of caring for their lands and natural resources,” said Brent Tanner, executive vice president of the Utah Cattlemen’s Association. “The Leopold Conservation Award demonstrates that Utah farmers and ranchers are stewards of the land and truly care for the environment.”
“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 Utah Leopold Conservation Award is made possible thanks to the generous support of American Farmland Trust, Utah Farm Bureau Federation, Western AgCredit, Utah Cattlemen’s Association, Sand County Foundation, Utah Department of Natural Resources, CKP Insurance, JY Ferry & Son Inc., Producers Livestock Marketing Association, The Nature Conservancy in Utah, Utah Association of Conservation Districts, and Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
For more information on the award, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.
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
THE UTAH FARM BUREAU FEDERATION is the largest general farm and ranch organization in the state with more than 36,000 member families. Its mission is to inspire all Utah families to connect, succeed and grow through the miracle of agriculture. It strives to bring value to every citizen and community through love of God, family, country, and the land through political action, educational and informational means. www.utahfarmbureau.org.