Aldo Leopold
(1887-1948)
Inducted October 19, 1999
Plaque Engraving:
Aldo Leopold is a nationally recognized forester whose writings, ideas, and leadership influenced foresters, wildlife managers and others involved in conservation and the environment.
Instrumental in writing the Conservation Act of 1927, in the passage of the Forest Crop Law and as a member of the Conservation Commission, Leopold engaged in debate and educational activities benefiting Wisconsin Forestry. His presence in the state from 1924-1948 defined the very way in which forestry professionals and citizens alike see, understand, manage and appreciate the forests of Wisconsin.
Writing on forestry issues, focussing on the interrelationship between forestry and wildlife management, Leopold helped enact forestry legislation and adoption of statewide conservation policies that helped shape the attitudes of political leaders.
Wisconsin forestry has been positively affected by the actions and writing of Leopold. His continuing influence upon the management of the landscape of Wisconsin is profound.
More about Aldo Leopold:
Aldo Leopold is a nationally recognized forester whose writings, ideas, and leadership influenced foresters, wildlife managers and others involved in conservation and the environment.
Instrumental in 2ing the Conservation Act of 1927, in the passage of the Forest Crop Law and a member of the Conservation Commission, Leopold engaged in debate and educational activities benefiting Wisconsin Forestry. His presence in the state from 1924-1948 defined the very way in which forestry professionals and citizens alike see, understand, manage and appreciate the forests of Wisconsin. Writing forestry issues focusing on the interrelationship between forest and wildlife management, Leopold helped enact forestry legislation and the adoption of statewide conservation policies that helped shape the attitudes of political leaders.
Aldo Leopold had, and continues to have, a major influence on the practice of forestry across the United States, particularly in Wisconsin. Within a year of his arriving in Madison, Leopold led an effort to establish a citizen Conservation Commission. He wrote extensively on forestry issues, focusing in particular on the interrelationship between forestry and wildlife management.
Aldo Leopold is one of, if not the, most influential foresters within Wisconsin and the United States. His writings and ideas are widely acknowledged as being very influential for generations of foresters, wildlife managers, conservationists, environmentalists, conservation biologists, ecologists, hunters, and many others. The on-going debate about the relative influence of Pinchot and Leopold on foresters, while academic at many levels, underscores the incontrovertible fact that Leopold’s influence has been both extensive and deep.
Although Leopold’s impact on forestry is clearly broader than Wisconsin, we should not underestimate his influence within the state. He influenced the passage of legislation and statewide conservation policies, helped shape the attitudes of political leaders, and trained a cadre of wildlife managers to make the connection between wildlife and sound forest management. The influence of this upon the landscape of Wisconsin is profound.
Wisconsin forestry has been deeply affected by the actions and writings of Leopold. The fact that he is nationally and internationally recognized as a conservation leader should not detract from the fact that Leopold was a key player in resource management in Wisconsin for over two decades and that his posthumous influence remains strong. We should take pride in the fact that Wisconsin was home for this leader in forest conservation. It is appropriate that we recognize Aldo Leopold’s extensive and on-going contributions to Wisconsin forestry by inducting him into the Wisconsin Forestry Hall of Fame.
