Aldo Leopold, who is well known as the father of wildlife ecology and the United States’ wilderness system, was a conservationist, forester, philosopher, educator, writer, and outdoor enthusiast. He was a voice for nature, sharing the importance of an ethical, caring relationship between people and nature. One of his biggest accomplishments was developing the proposal to manage the Gila National Forest as a wilderness area, which became the country’s first official wilderness area in 1924. It is a curious thought to think of what might have inspired Leopold to begin his journey of land conservation. The answer is right here in Burlington.
That’s right, Leopold was born in Burlington, Iowa in 1877, inside one of the houses on the property! The original Leopold properties are still at the end of Clay St. and the grounds are open to the public. You can see the sights that inspired Leopold throughout his childhood. The natural limestone in the land and the vastness of the Mississippi river were key parts of Leopold’s inspiration.
You can schedule a tour of the inside of the homes, by using the phone number 319-759-7640. Do keep in thought that the goal of the homes is not for them to be museums, but to be land conservation sites. Though, the inside of the homes have been renovated to retain their original charm and feel that they had during Leopolds childhood. You would be very lucky to get a tour!
I can personally recommend taking a seat on one of the stone benches on the grounds, and just take in the views. See what comes to your mind, maybe you’ll find some inspiration just like Leopold did. There is a perfect scene of the Mississippi river surrounded by all kinds of different plants and trees. It’s no wonder as to how this landscape inspired Leopold to start his lifelong dedication to land conservation.
The Leopold Landscape Alliance
