Leopold Conservation Award Seeks California Farmers, Ranchers Who Exemplify Sounds Land Stewardship
In partnership with Sustainable Conservation and the California Farm Bureau Federation, the Sand County Foundation is seeking nominations for the 2009 California Leopold Conservation Award.
The award recognizes private landowners' commitment to responsible environmental stewardship and land management. 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.
With Sustainable Conservation's help, the award made a successful debut in California in 2006. Last year, Northern California rancher Chet Vogt took home the $10,000 grand prize. Vogt's Three Creeks Ranch, which spans 5,300 acres in Elk Creek, demonstrates that environmental and economic sustainability can go hand in hand. Vogt's grazing program, a cornerstone of his holistic approach, rotates cattle among 32 fenced paddocks so that each area experiences only about 15 days of grazing a year. This schedule supports healthy soil, native plants and cattle. Sectioned-off riparian corridors and livestock ponds designated for short-term grazing provide abundant wildlife habitat, including nesting quarters for imperiled Tricolored blackbirds.
As in the past, 2009 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.
The deadline for nominations is July 10, 2009.