The Leopold Conservation Award celebrates achievement in voluntary conservation by agricultural landowners. Sand County Foundation, our national sponsor American Farmland Trust, and conservation partners across the U.S. present the prestigious honor, which consists of $10,000 and a crystal award, in settings that showcase the landowners’ achievements among their peers.
The Leopold Conservation Award program widely shares the stories of these conservation-minded farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners to inspire other landowners to embrace opportunities to improve soil health, water resources and wildlife habitat on their working land. Finally, the award builds bridges between agriculture, government, environmental organizations, industry and academia to advance the cause of environmental improvement on private land.
Nominate yourself or another landowner. Award criteria are used by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation professionals in each state to evaluate each application for the Leopold Conservation Award.
Sand County Foundation and its many partners and sponsors, including our national sponsor American Farmland Trust, actively seek others to join this effort. The Leopold Conservation Award offers corporate sponsors or individual investors an opportunity to align themselves with outstanding agricultural families, while helping to ensure that these landowner conservationists receive the recognition they deserve. Our sponsors enjoy broad exposure among key target audiences of agricultural leaders, policy makers and consumers. Contact Lance Irving at Lirving@sandcountyfoundation.org for more information.
Bring the Leopold Conservation Award to YOUR state! Sand County Foundation is looking to expand the Leopold Conservation Award into other states. Please contact Lance Irving at Lirving@sandcountyfoundation.org for more information.
Get to know Leopold Conservation Award recipients through this interactive map.