Savage Arms proudly announces “Aldo Leopold | Serve the Land,” which debuted exclusively on Carbon TV on April 26, 2023 and is now available on Savage’s website. This comprehensive film looks at Leopold’s impact, significance, and of course, legacy. Viewers will learn why he was such an influential person in the history of wildlife conservation in North America, and also discover a direct link Savage Arms had to Leopold.
Many people know Leopold as a pioneer in wildlife conservation and are familiar with his life story and major achievements. Leopold’s collection of essaysA Sand County Almanac” it is iconic in many conservation, environmental, and hunting communities. With more than two million copies sold, it is one of the most respected books on the environment ever published and is the driving force behind Leopold being considered the most influential mind on conservation in the 20s.he century.
“Aldo Leopold’s name, history and many of his accomplishments are well known within the hunting community,” said Megan Harten, marketing manager for Savage Arms. “But this film highlights specific stories and pivotal events in great detail. Our partners in this project present unparalleled information and insights that will enable even the most dedicated followers or scholars of Leopold to learn something new. We are proud of this film and look forward to hearing how viewers gained a new perspective and appreciation for the work of a great man, conservationist, and hunter.”
Leopold, like many who truly make a difference in their field, devoted himself entirely to conservation. In 1928, he believed that wildlife conservation was so flawed that he quit his comfortable, well-paying job with the Forest Service to pursue, develop, and implement his progressive ideas on the subject. At that time he had five children and the country was on the verge of entering the Great Depression.
Leopold’s drive to step up and make a difference was fueled by the initial reasoning that wildlife conservation was not achieved enough by protecting wildlife: it required active management. This meant that it was not enough for rangers to enforce the laws and that effective wildlife conservation required wildlife managers.
After Leopold left the Forest Service, he became unemployed and needed to find a way to pursue a career in wildlife conservation. In 1928, he was lucky enough to land a contractor position with an influential trade group, the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute (SAAMI). Savage Arms was a member of his organization, so interestingly, Savage was a direct supporter of Leopold in one of the most influential periods of his life. Leopold would go on to collect data, implement programs and models, and be a driving force in conservation that still shapes policy and practice today.
Savage would like to thank the following people for helping make this film:
stan’s temple
Stan is Beers-Bascom Professor Emeritus in Conservation in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology and past chair of the Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development Program at the Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies in University of Washington–Madison. For 32 years he held the academic position once held by Aldo Leopold. He is currently a Senior Fellow of the Aldo Leopoldo Foundation. https://www.aldoleopold.org/post/staff-board/stan-temple/
Janet Silbernagel
Janet is Professor Emeritus of Landscape Architecture and Planning at UW-Madison, where she specialized in regional conservation strategies and landscape ecology; construction of forest conservation scenarios. Janet grew up close to Riley and her family property was once part of the Riley Game Cooperative. https://dpla.wisc.edu/staff/janet-silbernagel/
Aldo Leopoldo Foundation
Established in 1982 by the five children of Aldo Leopold and his wife Estella, we are a conservation organization that works to inspire an ethical relationship between people and nature through Leopold’s legacy. This vision of a “land ethic” was not meant to be rigid or dogmatic; instead, Leopold intended it to continually evolve through personal reflection, open dialogue, and the actions of people on earth and in their communities. We invite you to join us as we work to weave a land ethic into society and encourage its development in a myriad of ways.
More information about Leopold, his history, and his impact on conservation can be found at https://savagearms.com/blog?p=who-was-aldo-leopold. The full feature is now available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWM7M6gCJSQ.
about wild
Headquartered in Westfield, Massachusetts, Savage has been producing firearms for more than 125 years. Savage is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of rimfire and centerfire shotguns and rifles for hunting, competition and target shooting. Their firearms are best known for their accuracy, performance, and innovation. The entrepreneurial spirit that originally defined the company is still evident in its continued focus on continuous innovation, craftsmanship, quality and service. Learn more at www.savagearms.com.