Leopold Conservation Award seeks nominees: California landowners who exemplify land stewardship

» May 4, 2009 «

Sacramento, Calif., May 4, 2009 - Sand County Foundation, in partnership with Sustainable Conservation and the California Farm Bureau Federation, seeks nominations for the 2009 Leopold Conservation Award.

The $10,000 award recognizes California farmers and ranchers who demonstrate outstanding, sustainable management of natural resources. The Leopold Conservation Award is presented in honor of famed conservationist and author Aldo Leopold, who called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.

"We've presented the Leopold Conservation Award in California since 2006, and the nominees each year have continued to be exceptionally strong," said Dr. Brent Haglund, Sand County Foundation President. "We expect this year to be no different, which is a fantastic testament to how highly committed California landowners are to conservation and agriculture."

"The Leopold Conservation Award showcases farmers and ranchers who work every day to create a future that is both environmentally and economically sustainable," said Ashley Boren, Executive Director of Sustainable Conservation.

Nominations are considered in two categories: Nurseries & Crops or Livestock. The judges will recognize a finalist in each category, and the 2009 Leopold Conservation Award winner will be announced on December 7, 2009 at the California Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Calif. The deadline for nominations is July 10, 2009.

"The Leopold Conservation Award highlights outstanding examples of the stewardship that family farmers and ranchers contribute every day," said Doug Mosebar, president of the California Farm Bureau Federation. "Landowners deserve recognition for the crucial role they play in protecting the environment, providing habitat for wildlife, and maintaining a safe and affordable food supply for consumers.

Aside from California, Sand County Foundation presents Leopold Conservation Awards in Colorado, Nebraska, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming. For more information, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org, e-mail suscon@suscon.org or call (415) 977-0380.

Sand County Foundation
Sand County Foundation is a private, non-profit conservation organization dedicated to working with private landowners to improve habitat on their land. In the spirit of Aldo Leopold, author of A Sand County Almanac, the Foundation encourages the exercise of private responsibility in the pursuit of improved land health. www.sandcounty.net

Sustainable Conservation
Sustainable Conservation partners with business, agriculture, and government to find practical ways that the private sector can protect clean air, clean water, and healthy ecosystems. The independent nonprofit organization leads powerful collaborations that produce lasting solutions and sustain the vitality of both the environment and the economy in California. www.suscon.org

California Farm Bureau Fedeation
The California Farm Bureau Federation is California's largest farm organization. It works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 85,000 members throughout California, including farm families and those who support the farming way of life. www.cfbf.com

Contact: Rosanna Westmoreland
Phone: 916/561-5550
news@cfbf.com

Contact:
Phone: 916/561-5550
news@cfbf.com

Permission for use is granted, however, credit must be made to the California Farm Bureau Federation when reprinting this item.