The Land Ethic of Aldo Leopold
By Tim Copeland
"The Land Ethic" is an essay from Aldo Leopold's book A Sand County Almanac. In it, Leopold suggests that we should think about ethics not just in terms of our relationships with other people but also with the land - including the soil, water, plants, and animals. He argues that humans should see themselves as part of nature's community, not as conquerors controlling it.
Leopold believes that our decisions about the land shouldn't be driven just by money or economic benefits. Instead, they should be based on a deep understanding of nature and respect for its value. He calls for a new way of thinking where we treat the natural world as a partner and take actions that benefit the whole environment.
Leopold's advocacy for the active preservation of nature, rather than its exploitation, is a call to action. His goal is to inspire us to adopt conservation practices that benefit the environment and contribute to the well-being of our society. In this way, we can work towards a sustainable future that ensures the health and stability of all members of the ecological community.
A remarkable element of Leopold’s essay is it was written in 1948. He was several decades ahead of his time.
Roots of Resilience and Lazy R Ranch to Host Wildfire Management Workshop
Roots of Resilience, in collaboration with Lazy R Ranch, is proud to announce a comprehensive workshop, “Tame the Flames,” aimed at educating and demonstrating effective wildfire management strategies through grazing and forestry practices. Scheduled for June 22-23, this event will gather experts and stakeholders to share insights, strategies, and practical demonstrations on wildfire management.
Medical Lake, Wash. — In August of 2023, the Gray Fire burned 10,000 acres of urban/suburban/rural interface west of Spokane, WA. Over half the Lazy R Ranch, the learning site for Roots of Resilience, was burned in the fire.
Roots of Resilience, in collaboration with Lazy R Ranch, is proud to announce a comprehensive workshop, “Tame the Flames,” aimed at educating and demonstrating effective wildfire management strategies through grazing and forestry practices. Scheduled for June 22-23, this event will gather experts and stakeholders to share insights, strategies, and practical demonstrations on wildfire management. Over the two days, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with prominent speakers from various organizations, including:
Mayor Terri Cooper of Medical Lake
Cody Rohrbach, District 3 Fire Chief
Guy Gifford, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), presenting fuel reduction programs
Garth Davie\s from the Spokane Conservation District.
Dale Swedberg, representing the Washington Prescribed Burning Council (WPBC), discusses prescribed burning techniques.
Colin Sternagel of the Cascadia Prescribed Burning Association
Tip Hudson, WSU Extension Beef Specialist, Ecological impacts of wildfire
Craig Madsen, from Healing Hooves, focusing on vegetation management with goats
Sandra Matheson from Roots of Resilience, presenting on Holistic Management
Beth Robinette and Maurice Robinette, from Lazy R Ranch, will discuss fire impacts and regeneration efforts.
The second day of the workshop, June 23, will include a field trip to Lazy R Ranch, which was burned in the 2023 Gray Fire. Participants will witness firsthand the regeneration of burned ground through high-intensity, short-duration grazing and mitigating future fire risk through planned grazing.
Registration is priced at $175. Additional ranch employees or family members can register at a discounted rate of $125. Lunch will be provided on the first day of the workshop (June 22), which will be held at 620 N Stanley from 8:30 am- 4:00 pm. The second workshop day will be held at the Lazy R Ranch, near Clear Lake, from 9:00 am- 12:00 pm. Breakfast will be included that morning.
"We are excited to bring together experts and practitioners in wildfire management to share valuable insights and strategies," said Beth Robinette of Roots of Resilience. "This workshop aims to empower individuals and communities with the knowledge and tools necessary to mitigate the risks posed by wildfires."
“I’ve lived with the risk of fire my whole life here. We always knew we were waiting for the inevitable. But even with planning and preparation, being in a disaster like that is really hard. We want to share what we’ve experienced and make the community stronger,” added Maurice Robinette, owner/operator of the Lazy R Ranch.
Registration for the workshop is now open. To secure your spot and for more information, please register here.
For media inquiries, please contact: Maurice Robinette (509) 869-1182, mlrobinette@gmail.com
About Roots of Resilience: Roots of Resilience is a collaborative initiative dedicated to promoting sustainable and resilient practices for the restoration of global grasslands. Visit its website to learn more about Roots’ mission and initiatives.
About Lazy R Ranch: Nestled in the scenic Channeled Scablands west of Spokane, WA, Lazy R Ranch is a fourth-generation family-owned enterprise specializing in 100% grass-fed and finished beef. Explore Lazy R Ranch's offerings further on its website.