'Ames Reads Leopold' event set for March 7

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AMES, Iowa -- “The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, waters, plants, and animals, or collectively: the land.” These words, written by Iowa native Aldo Leopold nearly 60 years ago, lay the groundwork for today's land stewardship and conservation. The land ethic was among the many ideas that Leopold discussed in his book of essays, A Sand County Almanac.

Excerpts from the book will be read aloud on Saturday, March 7 as part of the second annual "Ames Reads Leopold" event. The public readings are scheduled between 1 and 5 p.m. in the Farwell Brown Auditorium of the Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Avenue in Ames.

"We will honor the conservation legacy of Aldo Leopold and his land ethic," said Erv Klaas, retired Iowa State professor who is organizing the event. "A diverse group of civic leaders, university faculty and students, and retirees will read passages from Leopold's writings, complimented with photos from the Leopold family archives, and images of nature and the land that Leopold loved."

Readings are selected chapters from A Sand County Almanac, including January Thaw, The Geese Return, Great Possessions and Prairie Birthday. Readers are Bob Anders, Janet Klaas, Mary Richards, Katie Heathcote, Elizabeth Gull, Kitty Fisher, Claire Runquist, Deb Lewis, Kelly Grogg, Erv Klaas, Mike Meetz, Jim Pease, Pamela Helfer and Faith Blaskovich. Rich Leopold, who directs the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and Ames mayor Ann Campbell also have been invited to read.

Refreshments will be served and copies of A Sand County Almanac will be given to members of the audience in a drawing.

The Ames event joins similar celebrations in other communities during the first weekend in March when people gather to hear Leopold's writings read aloud and demonstrate their commitment to his vision. Sponsors for the Ames event are the Aldo Leopold Foundation and Leopold's Iowa namesake, the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University. Other sponsors include the Ames Public Library, ISU Department of Natural Resource Ecology Management, ISU Fisheries, Forestry and Wildlife Extension Programs, Big Bluestem chapter of the National Audubon Society, and Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames.

To learn more about Aldo Leopold Weekends, contact the Aldo Leopold Foundation, (608) 355-0279, or on the Web at: www.aldoleopold.org. For more information about the Ames event, contact Erv Klaas, (515) 233-3327, eklaas@iastate.edu. 

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The Leopold Center was established by the 1987 Iowa Groundwater Protection Act as a research and education center at Iowa State University to develop sustainable agricultural practices that are both profitable and conserve natural resources. Iowa State does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Vietnam Era Veteran. Any persons having inquiries concerning this may contact the Director of Affirmative Action, 3210 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.

This page was found at http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/02-20-2009/ames-reads-leopold-event-set-march-7 on 01/21/2013