Spring Break
EAC to honor legendary conservationist
Banquet recognizes land ethic and conservation contributions of Aldo Leopold
Nathaniel Shuda
Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: Campus News
Land conservation and philosophy of wildlife management will lead the topics of discussion Thursday at a statewide "Aldo Leopold Weekend" banquet sponsored by UW-Eau Claire's Environmental Adventure Center.
The Second Annual Aldo Leopold Banquet is an opportunity to celebrate and present the land ethic and teachings of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, said Dan Langlois, assistant director of recreations and sports facilities for the EAC.
"We think honoring this legacy is just an extension of what we do," Langlois said. "We think it's important about developing a land ethic for students."
Scott Hassett, Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources secretary will speak at the event about the department's Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund, a program that buys up land for parks or flowages, he said, adding that the fund is up for renewal in 2010 and is in need of a larger budget.
"(The purpose is) to make up for lost buying power and land prices going up," he said.
Hassett said he also expects to announce the department's contribution to a $10,000 grant to the West Central Regional Planning Commission, which together with the university, has been studying the water quality of the Chippewa River.
"(The money will) fund a monitoring plan for hydrology, geomorphology and aquatic life," Hassett said.
Other speakers will include watershed biologist Tex Hawkins, geology professor Sean Hartnett and English professor John Hildebrand, both of whom teach the Aldo Leopold land ethic in their classes.
Hildebrand, who has his students compare and contrast Leopold's "A Sandy County Almanac" with the works of Henry David Thoreau, said being a Wisconsin writer and philosopher, Leopold brings a sense of familiarity to the concepts he presents.
"The biggest difference between them is that Leopold was a scientist," Hildebrand said. "He took a broader view of things than even Thoreau. He's describing landscapes that people are familiar with."
Established in 2002 by Gov. Jim Doyle, the Aldo Leopold Weekend is designed to foster Leopold's "land ethic," which emphasizes the relationship between society's economic well-being and that of the environment, as well the importance of people to have a close personal connection to the land.
All of these ideas are based on The Aldo Leopold Foundation and the work of Aldo Leopold.
"It's important we be aware of what's going on around us so people who come after us have that same enjoyment and possibility," Langlois said.
The Second Annual Aldo Leopold Banquet is an opportunity to celebrate and present the land ethic and teachings of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, said Dan Langlois, assistant director of recreations and sports facilities for the EAC.
"We think honoring this legacy is just an extension of what we do," Langlois said. "We think it's important about developing a land ethic for students."
Scott Hassett, Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources secretary will speak at the event about the department's Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund, a program that buys up land for parks or flowages, he said, adding that the fund is up for renewal in 2010 and is in need of a larger budget.
"(The purpose is) to make up for lost buying power and land prices going up," he said.
Hassett said he also expects to announce the department's contribution to a $10,000 grant to the West Central Regional Planning Commission, which together with the university, has been studying the water quality of the Chippewa River.
"(The money will) fund a monitoring plan for hydrology, geomorphology and aquatic life," Hassett said.
Other speakers will include watershed biologist Tex Hawkins, geology professor Sean Hartnett and English professor John Hildebrand, both of whom teach the Aldo Leopold land ethic in their classes.
Hildebrand, who has his students compare and contrast Leopold's "A Sandy County Almanac" with the works of Henry David Thoreau, said being a Wisconsin writer and philosopher, Leopold brings a sense of familiarity to the concepts he presents.
"The biggest difference between them is that Leopold was a scientist," Hildebrand said. "He took a broader view of things than even Thoreau. He's describing landscapes that people are familiar with."
Established in 2002 by Gov. Jim Doyle, the Aldo Leopold Weekend is designed to foster Leopold's "land ethic," which emphasizes the relationship between society's economic well-being and that of the environment, as well the importance of people to have a close personal connection to the land.
All of these ideas are based on The Aldo Leopold Foundation and the work of Aldo Leopold.
"It's important we be aware of what's going on around us so people who come after us have that same enjoyment and possibility," Langlois said.
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