Know an Oklahoma rancher, farmer or forester who goes above and beyond in the care and management of natural resources? Nominate them for the 2019 Oklahoma Leopold Conservation Award®.

Sand County Foundation, the nation’s leading voice for private land conservation, presents the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 13 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. In Oklahoma the $10,000 award is presented annually by Sand County Foundation, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, Noble Research Institute, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, and ITC Holdings Corp.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes those who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private, working land. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold called for 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 can be found at https://sandcountyfoundation.org/uploads/Oklahoma-2019-CFN.pdf

Applications must be postmarked by July 1, 2019. Mail applications to:

Leopold Conservation Award
c/o Oklahoma Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture
2501 N. Stiles
Oklahoma City, OK 73105

“Leopold Conservation Award recipients are at the forefront of a movement by America’s farmers and ranchers to simultaneously achieve economic and environmental success,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer.

The Leopold Conservation Award Program in Oklahoma is made possible thanks to the generous support of Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, Noble Research Institute, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, ITC Holdings Corp., Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, McDonald’s, and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The recipient will be revealed in early 2020 at the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts’ Legislative Evening in Oklahoma City.

The first Oklahoma Leopold Conservation Award recipient was selected in 2017. Jackson Farms of Mountain View received the 2018 award.