2007 California Leopold Conservation Award Winner and Finalists
The Leopold Conservation Award honors outstanding environmental stewardship by private landowners, presented in California by Sand County Foundation in partnership with Sustainable Conservation and the California Farm Bureau Federation. The award inspires other landowners and helps the general public understand the vital role private landowners can and do play in conservation success.
2007 WINNER Sierra Orchards, Craig McNamara - Winters, CA (Nurseries and Crops category)
Craig McNamara's 450-acre Sierra Orchards demonstrates both stewardship and prosperity, integrating habitat conserving practices with bottom line results. His proactive investments have significantly enhanced the watershed on his land, improved water quality downstream and established thriving wildlife habitat. He has reintroduced drought-tolerant native plants, built tail water ponds, installed sediment traps and added hedgerow plantings to help ensure that no irrigated or natural water is wasted. In addition, McNamara founded the Center for Land-Based Learning in 1993 to teach young people about agriculture and the environment. These programs now reach more than 2,000 students each year.
FINALIST
Prather Ranch, Jim, Mary, and James Rickert - Shasta, CA (Dairy, Beef and Poultry category)
Managing cattle ranches and agricultural land in Northern California, the Rickert family works to promote biodiversity through their day-to-day operations, providing habitat for waterfowl during the migration and other wildlife year-round. They have planted more than eight miles of riparian habitat across nearly a dozen ranches.
FINALIST
Three Creeks Ranch, Chet Vogt - Elk Creek, CA (Rangeland and Timber category)
Chet Vogt's 5,300-acre ranch nourishes more than 500 beef cattle, and they in turn help restore the land. He moves the herd around the rangeland in a systematic way that creates intensive grazing for a short period of time, followed by a long period of rest and regrowth. He has protected clean water through fencing and troughs, which have fostered abundant vegetation around the ponds for birds and other wildlife.
FINALIST
V6 Ranch, Jack Varian - Parkfield, CA (Rangeland and Timber category)
Jack Varian and his family have been raising cattle on the 17,000-acre V6 ranch for nearly 50 years with the intention to be good caretakers of the land. For example, to prevent erosion and support wildlife, he planted hundreds of willow and cottonwood trees along the creek that runs through the ranch. His system of rotating cattle through 50 pastures keeps the grass and the cattle healthy. To share their passion and expertise, Varian and his wife Zera host public cattle drives, round-ups and ecological tours.
FINALIST
Zylstra Dairy, Andy Zylstra - Turlock, CA (Dairy, Beef and Poultry category)
Second-generation dairyman Andy Zylstra has introduced numerous environmentally friendly farming techniques to his 750-cow dairy farm. For example, conservation tillage cuts dust pollution (by up to 80%), fuel costs and labor costs, while enabling him to grow three crops a year instead of one or two - thereby utilizing more manure for fertilizer and keeping any excess nutrients out of the waterways.
