BISMARCK- The Sand County Foundation is seeking North Dakota rancher, farmer or forester who go above and beyond in the care and management of natural resources for nominees for the 2019 North Dakota Leopold Conservation Award.

The foundation presents the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 14 states. In North Dakota, the $10,000 award is presented with North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition, North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts and the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private, working land.

Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application can be found at: https://sandcountyfoundation.org/uploads/ND-CFN-19.pdf. The application deadline date is April 15. Applications can be mailed to North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition, Attn: Leopold Conservation Award, P.O. Box 1091, Bismarck, ND 58502.

The Leopold Conservation Award Program in North Dakota is made possible through the support of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Starion Financial, North Dakota Game & Fish Department, APEX Clean Energy, Audubon, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Cow Chip Ranch, Dakota Community Bank and Trust, Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, KEM Electric Cooperative, McDonald’s, Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative, The Nature Conservancy in North Dakota, North Dakota Department of Health, North Dakota Natural Resources Trust, Roughrider Electric Cooperative, Slope Electric Cooperative, The Wildlife Society North Dakota, and World Wildlife Fund.