Four finalists have been selected for the 2025 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.
Named in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, this award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to environmental improvement. 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.
Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 28 states. In Oklahoma, the award is presented with Noble Research Institute, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, ITC Great Plains, Oklahoma Conservation Commission, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The finalists are:
Big D Farm and Ranch of Bristow in Creek County: Donald Stephens utilizes a rotational grazing system with his cow-calf herd that promotes biodiversity, nesting habitat for grassland birds, and ample plant recovery time. He established native wildflower and prairie strips along fence lines, waterways and marginal areas, and cleared invasive trees and shrubs with the use of prescribed burning practices. He serves as chairman of his local conservation district board, which informs landowners of conservation programs and technical assistance available to them.
Phelan Ranch of Mountain Park in Comanche County: John and Tamra Phelan’s efforts to improve range conditions and wildlife habitat involve the use of prescribed burning to restore native grasses and controlling invasive brush and cedar trees. A water distribution system allows herds of cattle and sheep to be rotationally grazed across the entire ranch. Rainfall and grazing records, and rangeland monitoring help prevent over-stocking and subsequent damage to the soil, plant community, water cycle, and wildlife habitat.
Rising Sun Ranch of Roff in Pontotoc County: (pictured above) Bill Clark invested in pipelines and watering facilities to enable him to implement an intensive grazing rotation on his ranch. He strategically feeds hay on areas of shallow and depleted soils to restore organic matter and nutrients. He has reestablished native grasses using prescribed burns. As a member of the Pontotoc Ridge Prescribed Burn Association, he has hosted burn schools, NRCS employee trainings on plant identification, and legislative tours for elected leaders and EPA water quality officials.
Cody Sloan of Gore in Sequoyah, Muskogee and LeFlore counties: Cody Sloan grows diverse rotations of cotton, watermelons, cantaloupe, pumpkins, and sweet corn to keep soil healthy. He uses strip-till practices on corn fields, and no-till for wheat and soybeans. Planting soybeans into wheat stubble helps with weed control, prevents erosion, and helps retain valuable moisture. He prevents pastures from being overgrazed by his beef cattle with cross fencing. Cody has restored four ponds, and acres of unharvested crops for wildlife to graze over the winter.
Oklahoma landowners were encouraged to apply, or be nominated, for the award. An independent panel of Oklahoma agricultural and conservation leaders reviewed the applications. The award recipient, who receives $10,000, will be recognized this winter.
The Leopold Conservation Award in Oklahoma is made possible thanks to the generous contributions from 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.
“The quality and depth of the applicants and finalists for this year’s Leopold Conservation Award shines a spotlight on conservation’s leaders in Oklahoma. These farmers and ranchers set a high standard in conserving, protecting, and restoring our natural resources. Congratulations, good luck and keep up the good works,” said Trey Lam, Oklahoma Conservation Commission Executive Director.
“The Leopold Conservation Award is well-recognized across the nation as the highest standard of land conservation excellence. To be recognized as a finalist is indeed an honor to the individual and their dedicated efforts to conservation,” said Hugh Aljoe, Noble Research Institute Director of Ranches, Outreach, and Partnerships. “Conservation accrues over a sustained period of intentional planning, activities, and monitoring and we are proud to recognize these Oklahoma leaders in demonstrated conservation management.”
“These outstanding finalists for the Oklahoma Leopold Conservation Award are an inspiration and a powerful reminder of how mindful agricultural practices contribute to clean water, healthy soil and thriving wildlife habitats,” said Dusky Terry, President of ITC Great Plains. “ITC is firmly rooted in environmental responsibility and proud to support farmers whose dedication to conservation is making Oklahoma a better place for everyone.”
“The finalists for this year’s Leopold Conservation Award showcase the innovative, forward-thinking mindset agricultural producers must have to sustain the agriculture industry into the future, said Kerry Givens, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture President. “These four finalists are outstanding stewards of the land entrusted to them, and we are proud to have agricultural leaders like these representing our state and our industry.”
“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.”
