The Sand County Foundation, in partnership with Ranchland Trust of Kansas (RTK) and the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts (KACD), has announced three finalists for the Kansas Leopold Conservation Award. Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the $10,000 award recognizes those who inspire others with their dedication to the land, water and wildlife resources in their care.
This year’s finalists are Barby Ranch of Protection, Janus Farms near Cherryvale and Glenn and Barbara Walker of Brookville.
Bill Barby rotationally grazes his cow-calf herd in Clark and Comanche counties. His methods have increased carrying capacity and stocking rate by 40%. Prescribed fire and tree removal also have improved habitat for wildlife, including the lesser prairie chicken.
Phil Eastep of Janus Farms has enhanced wildlife habitat and biodiversity on his Montgomery County farmland with prescribed burning and rotationally grazing cattle. He has hosted botanical and endangered wildlife studies at his farm and established pollinator habitats of native flowering plants.
The Walkers are improving soil health, wildlife habitat and water distribution on their properties in Ellsworth, Lincoln, Rice, Russell, and Saline counties. They also use rotational grazing and manage grassland to improve habitat for the greater prairie chicken, turkey and deer populations. Additionally, their investment in the removal of invasive red cedars has improved water resources on their pastureland.
The 2024 Kansas Leopold Conservation Award will be presented in November at the KACD Convention in Wichita. To read the full press release and learn more about the finalists, go to the RTK website.
The Leopold Conservation Award in Kansas is made possible thanks to the generous support of American Farmland Trust, Farm Credit Associations of Kansas, ITC Great Plains, Kansas Department of Agriculture-Division of Conservation, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Kansas Forest Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Kansas, Green Cover Seed, McDonald’s, Ducks Unlimited and a Kansas Leopold Conservation Award recipient.