The $10,000 Leopold award is the statewide accolade within the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Lone Star Land Steward Award Program, which also recognizes land stewards in 10 different ecological regions and in corporate, co-operative and special categories. The awards recognize Texas ranchers and other landowners who demonstrate outstanding, sustainable management of natural resources.

“The Leopold Conservation Award is the highest honor for private land stewardship in Texas, reserved for the truly exceptional examples of conservation achievement and commitment in our state,” said Carter Smith, TPWD executive director. “We have had exceptional stewards in all areas of the state, and anyone can nominate a previous eco-region winner for the Leopold award. All the information to make nominations is on our website.”

The Leopold 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. It is open to any landowner who has previously received an eco-region Lone Star Land Steward Award.

“The health of Texas’ landscape is dependent on hard-working farmers and ranchers across the state who dedicate themselves to ensuring that Texas’ land, water and wildlife are in better shape than when they found them,” said Dr. Brent Haglund, Sand County Foundation President. “Year after year, the quality of award nominations for the Leopold Conservation Award proves that Texas’ natural resources are being cared for by innovative landowners who want to see them flourish for future generations.”

Eco-region award winners and the Leopold Conservation Award recipient will be announced at the Lone Star Land Steward Awards ceremony next May in Austin. The Leopold Conservation Award is made possible in Texas through the generous support of the Bradley Fund for the Environment and Silver Eagle Distributors.

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. Aside from Texas, the foundation presents Leopold awards in California, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

For more information about how to nominate a landowner for the Lone Star Land Steward Awards, contact Private Lands Program Director Linda Campbell  in Austin at (512) 389-4395 or email linda.campbell@tpwd.state.tx.us.

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