Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Oklahoma Leopold Conservation Award®.
The award honors farmers, ranchers, 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 Oklahoma the $10,000 award is presented with ITC Great Plains, Noble Research Institute, Oklahoma Conservation Commission, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.
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.
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 application deadline date is July 10, 2026. Applications must be emailed to OklahomaLCA@sandcountyfoundation.org.
Applications are reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders from Oklahoma. Last year’s recipient was Bill Clark of Roff. To view profiles of all past recipients, click here.
“The Oklahoma Leopold Conservation Award is a testament to the dedication and innovation of our state’s farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners. This award not only honors their exceptional efforts but also serves as an inspiration for others to embrace conservation practices,” said Patrick Woods, President of ITC Great Plains. “Each nominee deserves commendation for their stewardship and commitment to the land. Our pledge to environmental responsibility is strong and we are proud to support this prestigious award.”
“It is vitally important that we recognize our state’s family farmers and ranchers who work daily to improve their land through innovative conservation and stewardship efforts,” said Kerry Givens, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture President. “The Oklahoma Leopold Conservation Award gives our agricultural community the opportunity to celebrate Oklahoma agriculturalists who are leading the charge in conservation and sustainability.”
“Aldo Leopold believed that land is not merely a commodity – it’s a community we belong to,” said Hugh Aljoe, director of ranches, outreach and partnerships at Noble Research Institute. “At Noble Research Institute, we’ve spent over 80 years working alongside Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers, and we know firsthand how deeply they embrace that ethic. The Leopold Conservation Award allows us to celebrate their dedication, elevate their example and inspire other producers across the state to follow their lead.”
“These award recipients are examples of how Aldo Leopold’s land ethic is alive and well today,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and CEO. “Their dedication to conservation is both an inspiration to their peers as well as a reminder to all how important thoughtful agriculture is to clean water, healthy soil, and wildlife habitat.”
“As the national sponsor for Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award, American Farmland Trust celebrates the hard work and dedication of the award recipients,” said John Piotti, AFT President and CEO. “At AFT we believe that exemplary conservation involves the land itself, the practices employed on the land, and the people who steward it. This award recognizes the integral role of all three.”
The Oklahoma Leopold Conservation Award is made possible thanks to the generous support of American Farmland Trust, Noble Research Institute, ITC Great Plains, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Oklahoma Conservation Commission, Sand County Foundation, Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, and the Emmons Family.
For more information on the award, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.
