05/14/2026
Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Kansas Leopold Conservation Award.
The award honors ranchers, farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.
Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 28 states. In Kansas, the $10,000 award is presented with Kansas Association of Conservation Districts, Kansas Farm Bureau and the Ranchland Trust of Kansas.
Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others to consider conservation opportunities on their land. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold advocated for “a land ethic,” an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.
“The Leopold Conservation Award highlights farms and ranches that are strengthening their land today while protecting it for future generations because they know conservation isn’t a program, it’s a way of life,” said Joe Newland, Kansas Farm Bureau president. “I encourage any Farm Bureau member of Kansas interested in applying to reach out to KFB for assistance in completing the application.”
Award applications may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application form can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA.
The nomination deadline date is June 1.
Sand County Foundation inspires and empowers private landowners to ethically manage the natural resources in their care.
