Aldo Leopold Keeps the Connection

“February – There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm.  One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other that heat comes from the furnace.

To avoid the first danger, one should plant a garden, preferably where there is no grocer to confuse the issue.

To avoid the second, he should lay a split of good oak on the andirons, preferably where there is no furnace, and let it warm his shins while a February blizzard tosses the trees outside.”

These are the words of Aldo Leopold in A Sand County Almanac (574 L587).

Aldo Leopold knew land.  He recognized how the land and people were interconnected and appreciated our responsibilities to the land.

Leopold made a name for himself in the world of conservation in Wisconsin and, indeed, in the world.  He is highly recognized as the “father of conservation.”

Each year the Aldo Leopold Foundation, located in Baraboo, Wisconsin celebrates his work during the Aldo Leopold Weekend held the first weekend in March.  This year the will be holding a GreenFest in honor of Leopold’s legacy.  We will bring together some of the organizations and businesses in our community to share programs, resources and products which help to make our lives more “green” and sustainable.  The event will be held on March 5 from noon until 3 p.m. and will be open to the public, free of charge.  If you have any questions regarding the event, please call the Library at 351-3461.

The Library has several books about the life of Aldo Leopold for further reading.  Find out more about this fascinating man and his Wisconsin connection in the following books:

Aldo Leopold; The Man and His Legacy edited by Thomas Tanner (920 L587A)

Aldo Leopold; His Life and Work by Curt Meine (920 L587M)

Aldo Leopold’s Odyssey by Julianne Lutz Newton (920 L587N)