Sustainable Conservation Sponsors Conservation Award for Landowners
For the third year in a row, in partnership with the Sand County Foundation and California Farm Bureau Federation, Sustainable Conservation is honored to sponsor the Leopold Conservation Award in California.
> Click here for information about the 2007 finalists.
The award recognizes private landowners' commitment to responsible environmental stewardship and management of their land. The award also aims to inspire others to become effective environmental stewards, and help the public understand the important role dedicated farmers and ranchers play in sustaining a healthy environment. Rewarding and exemplifying landowners' commitment to protecting natural resources is crucial—as a majority of the nation's remaining wild places and species are located on or near private property.
The Leopold Conservation Award was born out of the Sand County Foundation's belief that voluntary conservation by private landowners, rather than government regulation, benefits the environment more—and at a lower cost and with more lasting results. The foundation also recognized that ranchers, farmers and foresters are on the front lines of conservation and should be recognized for protecting the environment.
The first Leopold Conservation Award was presented in Colorado in 2003 with the help of the Colorado Cattlemen's Association and Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust. Because of the award's resounding success, the foundation expanded it in 2005 to include Texas.
With Sustainable Conservation's help, the award made a successful debut in California in 2006. In 2007, Craig McNamara of Sierra Orchards in Winters took home the $10,000 grand prize. McNamara's proactive investments greatly enhanced the watershed on his land, improved the quality of downstream waterways and established thriving wildlife habitat. He also 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.
Award finalists received $1,000 runner-up prizes and included: the Rickert Family of Prather Ranch near Redding (dairy, beef and poultry category), Chet Vogt of Three Creeks Ranch in Elk Grove (rangeland and timber category), Jack Varian of V6 Ranch in Monterey County (rangeland and timber category), Andy Zylstra of Zylstra Dairy in Turlock (dairy, beef and poultry category).
As in the past, 2008 finalists will be selected in part based on their commitment to responsible and sustainable land management, the overall health of their land, implementation of innovative practices and dedication to community outreach and leadership. The grand prize of $10,000 and a crystal rendering of Aldo Leopold, author of the Sand County Almanac, will be presented at the California Farm Bureau Federation's annual convention in December. Runner-up prizes of $1,000 will also be presented.
> 2008 nomination form
> 2007 Leopold Conservation Award Winner and Finalists
