ALDO LEOPOLD MEMORIAL AWARD

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 CRITERIA

• The nominee should have a well-established and distinguished career that has been of undoubted significance to the cause of wildlife conservation.
• The award is only given to an individual.
• Nominee must be living.

You are encouraged to consider individuals not only from our traditional professional realm, but also those who bring their skills and talents to wildlife conservation from across society and across the world.

NOMINATION PROCEDURES

Each nomination should include:

• Nomination narrative that includes a statement emphasizing the basis for determining “distinguished service to wildlife conservation”
• A detailed curriculum vitae/resume
• Up to five supporting letters

The nomination materials must be submitted via the online nominations system by May 1 at 11:59 PM EDT.

Nominations of unsuccessful candidates remain in the candidate pool for a maximum of three years, unless the individual is re-nominated.

For questions related to TWS Awards please email, awards@wildlife.org.

ALDO LEOPOLD MEMORIAL AWARD RECIPIENTS

Read the 1950-2005 winners’ biographies.