Aldo Leopold, world-renowned forester, writer, and ecologist, began his life under modest conditions. Born in Burlington, Iowa in 1887, Aldo was the son of a German businessman. As a child, Aldo’s father would take him out into nature, where he developed a love for observing ecology. Aldo enjoyed exploring the wild and outdoors, spending much of his youth learning and discovering. This interest led Aldo to study Forestry professionally.
Leaving Burlington, Aldo attended the Lawrenceville School in preparation to join the newly formed Forestry school at Yale University. Although not able to spend much quality time with nature while at Yale, Aldo graduated in 1909 and pursued a career as a forester.
Aldo Leopold began work for the US Forest Service after graduation, where he lived and worked in Arizona and New Mexico. Quickly promoted through the ranks, Aldo was Supervisor by age 24. In 1924 Aldo was transferred to Madison, Wisconsin, where he furthered his discovery and love of conservation and nature. In 1933 Aldo published his first textbook, on wildlife management.
In 1935 the Leopold family bought an old, worn out farm and proceeded to restore the ecology of the land. Located in Baraboo, Wisconsin, an area known as “the sand counties”, the activities on the farm inspired Aldo and advanced his prowess and interest in writing. Aldo developed a new philosophy on the concept of wilderness, and helped to create and found the Wilderness Society.
Tragically, in 1948 Aldo Leopold died of a heart attack, while combatting a wildfire on a neighbor’s land. Luckily, he completed A Sand County Almanac before he passed. Today regarded as Aldo Leopold’s most famous work, the Almanac has become one of the most influential texts regarding conservation and the environment ever written.
Aldo Leopold lived the life that most ecologists and foresters dream of. Living much of his life across vastly diverse corners of America, Aldo was able to see, feel, and explore nature. Aldo Leopold’s love for wilderness allowed him to become a key contributor in the early development of environmental ethics and wildlife management. Today, Aldo Leopold is honored across the United States as a conservationist, author, and philosopher.
Leaving Burlington, Aldo attended the Lawrenceville School in preparation to join the newly formed Forestry school at Yale University. Although not able to spend much quality time with nature while at Yale, Aldo graduated in 1909 and pursued a career as a forester.
Aldo Leopold began work for the US Forest Service after graduation, where he lived and worked in Arizona and New Mexico. Quickly promoted through the ranks, Aldo was Supervisor by age 24. In 1924 Aldo was transferred to Madison, Wisconsin, where he furthered his discovery and love of conservation and nature. In 1933 Aldo published his first textbook, on wildlife management.
In 1935 the Leopold family bought an old, worn out farm and proceeded to restore the ecology of the land. Located in Baraboo, Wisconsin, an area known as “the sand counties”, the activities on the farm inspired Aldo and advanced his prowess and interest in writing. Aldo developed a new philosophy on the concept of wilderness, and helped to create and found the Wilderness Society.
Tragically, in 1948 Aldo Leopold died of a heart attack, while combatting a wildfire on a neighbor’s land. Luckily, he completed A Sand County Almanac before he passed. Today regarded as Aldo Leopold’s most famous work, the Almanac has become one of the most influential texts regarding conservation and the environment ever written.
Aldo Leopold lived the life that most ecologists and foresters dream of. Living much of his life across vastly diverse corners of America, Aldo was able to see, feel, and explore nature. Aldo Leopold’s love for wilderness allowed him to become a key contributor in the early development of environmental ethics and wildlife management. Today, Aldo Leopold is honored across the United States as a conservationist, author, and philosopher.
Sources:
"Aldo Leopold." The Aldo Leopold Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. <http://www.aldoleopold.org/AldoLeopold/leopold_bio.shtml>.
"Aldo Leopold." Keystone.edu. Keystone College, n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2014.
<http://academic.keystone.edu/jskinner/WildlifeFisheries/leopold%20excerpts.pdf>.
"Aldo Leopold." The Aldo Leopold Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. <http://www.aldoleopold.org/AldoLeopold/leopold_bio.shtml>.
"Aldo Leopold." Keystone.edu. Keystone College, n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2014.
<http://academic.keystone.edu/jskinner/WildlifeFisheries/leopold%20excerpts.pdf>.
By: Hanna Gold, Douglas Reymore, Isaac Knipfing, Sarah Irish, Joshua White, Eric Lynch