The Leopold Conservation Award for New England 2025 is presented by the Sand County Foundation in partnership with the American Farmland Trust and the New England Forestry Foundation. This prestigious award recognizes exemplary efforts by private landowners to manage their working lands in a way that improves soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat. The award, inspired by conservationist Aldo Leopold, emphasizes the importance of a "land ethic," which reflects an ethical relationship between people and the land they manage.
The award provides a $10,000 cash prize to a selected landowner from New England who demonstrates outstanding voluntary conservation practices. These practices must go beyond compliance with existing regulations to truly enhance the natural resources on their property. Nominees are evaluated by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders specific to the state. The award is open to landowners operating farms, ranches, or forestlands.
Eligibility for the award extends to private landowners in 28 states, including those in New England. Nominations may be submitted by a third party or by the landowners themselves. Required application materials include detailed information about the nominee and their operation, responses to five core criteria (conservation ethic, resilience, leadership and communication, innovation and adaptability, and ecological community), additional contextual information, and three letters of recommendation—at least one from a conservation organization or agency.
In addition to written responses, applicants must agree to several conditions, including participation in media and video productions that promote voluntary conservation. Applications must be submitted via email to NewEnglandLCA@sandcountyfoundation.org by June 15, 2025. No specific open date for application submissions is mentioned, and it does not appear to be a rolling application process.
Support for the New England regional award is provided by several sponsors and organizations, including David and Ann Ingram, LandVest, Maine Farmland Trust, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners, and the Yale School of the Environment. More information about the program and its goals is available on the Leopold Conservation Award website.
