The Leopold Conservation Award 2025 in California is presented by the Sand County Foundation in collaboration with the American Farmland Trust and local partners including the California Farm Bureau Federation and Sustainable Conservation. It recognizes extraordinary efforts by farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who demonstrate responsible land stewardship and conservation practices. This award, valued at $10,000, is presented annually in 28 states and honors individuals or families whose practices improve soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitats.
The award pays tribute to the legacy of Aldo Leopold, an influential conservationist whose 1949 book, "A Sand County Almanac," inspired the concept of a "land ethic" — advocating an ethical relationship between people and the land. The purpose of the award is to elevate role models in agriculture and forestry who advance conservation voluntarily, going beyond regulatory obligations.
Eligibility is limited to private landowners engaged in agriculture or forestry within California. Nominations can be submitted by a third party or by the landowners themselves. Each nomination must be emailed to CaliforniaLCA@sandcountyfoundation.org and will be evaluated by an independent panel of state-specific agricultural and conservation leaders.
Applicants must submit detailed information including nominee and nominator contact details, property and operation descriptions, and responses to five key criteria: Conservation Ethic, Resilience, Leadership and Communication, Innovation and Adaptability, and Ecological Community. Each response should be no longer than 1,000 words. In addition, nominees must disclose acreage managed, types of operations, partners or advisors involved in conservation practices, and participation in federal conservation programs.
Three letters of recommendation are required, with at least one from a conservation organization or agency. Nominees must also agree to a set of conditions, including availability for media engagements and participation in a video about their operation. The deadline for submission is July 18, 2025.
