Leopold’s legacy lives

The Driftless Region of Wisconsin is a cradle of conservationists. Foremost among them is Aldo Leopold, whose land ethic and ground-breaking writing has inspired generations.

Today his legacy lives on in the work of the Aldo Leopold Foundation. You can see his brilliance at work at the Aldo Leopold Legacy Center east of Baraboo. It’s built on the property Leopold and his family loved for decades, and is open to anyone eager to connect with the conservationist’s work.

The Leopold Center is open from May to October. Tours offer a deep look into Leopold’s work: You can walk the land that inspired Leopold’s pioneering land ethic. You can discover the rewards of sustainable land management and the wonder of a thriving ecosystem restored through dedicated stewardship.

Visitors can take self-guided tours of the Shack, a converted chicken coop near the Wisconsin River that was Leopold’s home base. Side trails explore a floodplain forest, where eagles and cranes soar. Guided tours are available by reservation.

Along with John Muir and Gaylord Nelson, Leopold put Wisconsin at the forefront of America’s conservation movement. You can see his philosophy at work each summer at the Leopold Center.

For information, visit aldoleopold.org