Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 North Dakota 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 the Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 28 states. In North Dakota, the $10,000 award is presented with the North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition, North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts and the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others to consider conservation opportunities on their land.

Award nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may apply themselves. The nomination form can be found on the Sand County Foundation website. The application deadline is April 15.

Nominations are reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders from North Dakota. The 2024 recipient of the award was Heaton Ranches of McKenzie.