Illinois Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees

Nominations and applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Illinois Leopold Conservation Award®.

The award honors 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 the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 27 states. In Illinois the award is presented with state partners: IL Corn and Illinois Soybean Association.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to environmental improvement. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold called for what he called “a land ethic,” an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.

Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application deadline is May 1, 2024. The application can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA.

Applications will be reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders. The recipient receives $10,000, and their conservation success story will be featured in a video and in other outreach. The recipient will be announced this summer. The recipient of last year’s inaugural award was Frey Family Farms of Dahlgren.

“Leopold Conservation Award recipients are examples of how Aldo Leopold’s land ethic is alive and well today. Their dedication to conservation shows how individuals can improve the health of the land while producing food and fiber,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and CEO.

“As the national sponsor for Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award, American Farmland Trust celebrates the hard work and dedication of farmers, ranchers and forestland owners,” said John Piotti, AFT President and CEO. “At AFT we believe that conservation in agriculture requires a focus on the land, the practices and the people and this award recognizes the integral role of all three.”