New Mexico Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Applicants
January 29, 2026
Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 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 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 application deadline is June 15, 2026. Applications must be emailed to NewMexicoLCA@sandcountyfoundation.org.
Applications are reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders from New Mexico. Viramontes Farms of Deming received the award in 2025. To view profiles on all past recipients, click here.
“It’s powerful to see the difference a person can make when working the land. Each year, we see applications from farmers and ranchers across the state finding innovative ways to put regenerative practices into action. Quivira Coalition is proud to support the Leopold Conservation Award and celebrate the stewardship of New Mexican producers for healthier lands, waters, and communities,” said Xochitl Torres Small, Quivira Coalition Executive Director.
“The Leopold Conservation Award recognizes those who show that strong conservation and production agriculture go hand in hand. Their commitment to soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat reflects the land ethic of Aldo Leopold and inspires others to explore conservation opportunities on working lands,” said Larry Reagan, New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau President.
“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, New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts, New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau, Quivira Coalition, Sand County Foundation, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services of New Mexico, Lanford Livestock, and American AgCredit.
For more information on the award, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.
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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