Aldo Leopold

Date of Birth: January 11, 1887

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: April 21, 1948

Biography

Aldo Leopold was an American author, philosopher, scientist, ecologist, forester, conservationist, and environmentalist, best known for his book “A Sand County Almanac,” which has sold over two million copies. Born in Burlington, Iowa, on January 11, 1887, Leopold developed a profound connection with the natural world from an early age. He graduated from the Yale Forest School in 1909 and began working for the U.S. Forest Service in the Arizona and New Mexico territories. Leopold’s career evolved from forestry to wildlife management and ecological research, ultimately shaping his ecological philosophy and ethical perspective on land conservation. His concept of a “land ethic” emphasized the interdependence between humans and the land, advocating for responsible stewardship and sustainable use of natural resources. Leopold passed away on April 21, 1948, in Baraboo, Wisconsin, while fighting a neighbor’s grass fire.

5 Interesting Facts about Aldo Leopold

1. Aldo Leopold is considered the father of wildlife ecology and the United States’ wilderness system.

2. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Gila Wilderness Area in New Mexico, the first designated wilderness area in the world.

3. Leopold was a founding member of The Wilderness Society, established in 1935.

4. His influential book, “A Sand County Almanac,” was published posthumously in 1949 and has inspired the modern environmental movement.

5. Leopold was a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he taught and conducted much of his groundbreaking research.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Aldo Leopold

1. “Harmony with land is like harmony with a friend; you cannot cherish his right hand and chop off his left.”

2. “A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.”

3. “We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”

4. “The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, waters, plants, and animals, or collectively: the land.”

5. “To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Aldo Leopold was an academic and public servant rather than a businessperson or entrepreneur. As such, he did not accumulate significant personal wealth. His net worth was modest and reflective of his career in education and conservation.

Children

Aldo Leopold and his wife, Estella Bergere, had five children: Starker, Luna, Nina, Carl, and Estella. His children carried on his legacy in various ways, with Starker Leopold becoming a notable ecologist and wildlife biologist.