In the News

Sand County Foundation, the Utah Farm Bureau Federation, the Utah Cattlemen’s Association and Western AgCredit are pleased to announce the finalists for the 2012 Leopold Conservation Award.

“The diversity of these agricultural operations is remarkable, yet they all share a commitment to enhancement of Utah’s natural resources,” said Brent Haglund, Sand County Foundation President. “These finalists are examples of the determination, innovation and dedication that characterize agricultural families across Utah.”

The Leopold Conservation Award, named in honor of world-renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, is comprised of $10,000 and a Leopold crystal. The award is presented annually in eight states to private landowners who practice responsible land stewardship and management.

The 2012 finalists, listed alphabetically, are:

• William Goring, Box Elder County

• Karl & Raymond Heaton, Kane County

• Dennis Stowell Family, Iron County

The finalists were formally recognized Nov. 8 at the Utah Association of Conservation Districts annual convention in Provo. The Leopold Conservation Award recipient will be honored Nov. 16 at the Utah Farm Bureau annual meeting banquet in Layton.

The Leopold Conservation Award in Utah is sponsored by Western AgCredit, the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Utah Farm Bureau Federation, Utah Association of Conservation Districts (UACD) and Farm Credit.

ABOUT THE LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD

The Leopold Conservation Award is a competitive award that recognizes landowner achievement in voluntary conservation. The award consists of $10,000 and a crystal depiction of Aldo Leopold. Leopold Conservation Awards are currently presented in: California, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming

The awards are presented to accomplish four objectives: First, they recognize extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation on the land of exemplary private landowners. Second, they inspire countless other landowners in their own communities through these examples. Third, they provide a visible forum where leaders from the agriculture community are recognized as conservation leaders to groups outside of agriculture. Finally, the award program builds bridges between agriculture, government, environmental organizations, industry and academia to help advance the cause of conservation on private lands. http://www.leopoldconservationaward.org.