The highest honor bestowed by The Wildlife Society is the Aldo Leopold Memorial Award for distinguished service to wildlife conservation. The basic selection criterion is the significance of an individual’s contribution(s) to the wildlife field. Recipients receive a medal, plaque, and honorary membership in The Wildlife Society.
Following Aldo Leopold’s death in April 1948, there was much sentiment within The Wildlife Society for establishing an award medal in his memory. The first medal, sculpted by Gifford MacGregor Proctor, was awarded to J.N. Darling at the Society’s 1950 meeting in San Francisco.
Models were finished that year and dies were cast early in 1951. After the 1951 meeting, one medal was presented privately to Aldo Leopold’s wife, Estella, as a token of friendship and respect. An engraved medal was sent (a year late) to J.N. Darling, and a second annual presentation was made to Carl D. Shoemaker.
AWARD NOMINATION PROCESS AND CRITERIA
To nominate an individual for consideration, click here to learn about the criteria and the nomination process. Nomination forms must be submitted by May 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM EDT.
ALDO LEOPOLD MEMORIAL AWARD RECIPIENTS
Read the 1950-2005 winners’ biographies.
| 2022 John L. Koprowski 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 | 1997 Milton W. Weller 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 | 1974 Lucille F. Stickel 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1951 1950 |