Aldo Leopold was one of the founders of the environmental movement. In 1949, a year after his untimely death, his book of essays A Sand County Almanac was published and it is one of the classics of environmental writing. During the first week in March, various groups around Arkansas are sponsoring community reading events of excerpts from A Sand County Almanac and other environmental writings. At many of these events, there will be nature walks or similar events. On this page is a listing of the events. The list will be updated as planning proceeds. All events are free and open to the public. Watch this space!
Arkansas Reads Leopold has been made possible by a grant from the Aldo Leopold Foundation.
Tuesday, March 3 -- 7:00 PM Showing of Green Fire, Central Arkansas Library System Ron Robinson Theater, 100 River Market Avenue, Little Rock. This first full-length biographical documentary of Aldo Leopold's life and work also emphasizes the importance of the land ethic for our own time. Leopold first began to formulate his land ethic after he killed a female wolf in the Apache National Forest in 1909. He wrote of this experience and more in his essay "Thinking Like a Mountain." The documentary explores how his philosophy has inspried current conservation work across the United States.
Saturday, March 7 -- 10 AM - 4 PM Community Reading and Birding Walks, Little Rock Audubon Center, 4500 Springer Blvd, Little Rock. Audubon Delta, the Arkansas Audubon Society, Central Arkansas Master Naturalists, Audubon Society of Central Arkansas, and Sierra Club are cosponsoring this event, featuring members of the Central Arkansas community reading excerpts from Aldo Leopold's A Sand County Almanac and other nature-inspired works by authors such as Robin Wall Kimmerer and Drew Lanham. Feel free to come and go during the day. Guided birding walks on the trails will take place at 11, 1, and 3--bring binoculars if you have them. The Center has pairs that can be used. A limited number of copies of A Sand County Almanac will be available.
Saturday, March 7 -- Time TBA Maumelle Library, 10 Lake Pointe Dr, Maumelle. Watch this spot for more details!
Saturday, March 7 -- 10 AM - 1 PM Community Reading and Nature Journaling, Laman Library, 2801 Orange St, North Little Rock. The Laman Library is sponsoring this event, featuring members of the Central Arkansas community reading excerpts from Aldo Leopold's A Sand County Almanac and other nature-inspired works by authors such as Robin Wall Kimmerer and Drew Lanham. A limited number of copies of A Sand County Almanac will be available.
Saturday, March 7 -- 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Community Reading and Nature Walk, Faulkner County Library, 1900 Tyler St, Conway. The Foothills Chapter of the Arkansas Master Naturalists are sponsoring this event, featuring members of the Central Arkansas community reading excerpts from Aldo Leopold's A Sand County Almanac and other nature-inspired works by authors such as Robin Wall Kimmerer and Drew Lanham. A limited number of copies of A Sand County Almanac will be available.
Sunday, March 8 -- 8:45 AM - 3 PM Arkansas Reads Leopold--A Family Event, Ozark Natural Science Center at Lake Fayetteville, 599 E Lakeview Dr, Springdale. Join your fellow nature lovers and conservationists as we celebrate the amazing work of Naturalist Aldo Leopold, author of A Sand County Almanac. ONSC's team will lead a guided hike on the Lake Fayetteville Nature Trails from 9-11 am, followed by readings of Leopold's famous book by special guests (TBD) and fun educational activities for kids of all ages from 11:30-3:00 pm! Bring the whole family to meet our animal ambassador--Cornelia the Corn Snake, explore eco art and natural science activities, and enjoy readings of A Sand County Almanac and beloved children's literature. Snacks and drinks provided. A limited number of copies of A Sand County Almanac will be available.
Sunday, March 8 -- 10:00 AM - 1 PM A Sand County Almanac and 75 Years of UUCLR, Unitarian Universalist Church of Little Rock, 1818 Reservoir Rd, Little Rock. As a core value, Unitarian Universalists honor the interdependent web of all existence and acknowledge our place in it. On Sunday, March 8th, we will affirm and reflect on this value through Aldo Leopold's writings.The Forum, at 10:00, will feature the Ozark Society Pulaski Chapter, whose principal purpose is the preservation of wild and scenic rivers, wilderness, and unique natural areas. Their goals of conservation, education, and recreation align closely with the UU value of Interdependence. The Sunday service at 11:00 will include readings and reflections on Aldo Leopold's A Sand County Almanac, led by the Reverend Paul Beedle and others from the UUCLR community. The Second Sunday Share the Plate collection will be for the benefit of the Ozark Society Youth Grand Program. Weather permitting, we will explore the church grounds, including the Memorial Woodland. A limited number of copies of A Sand County Almanac will be available.
Sunday, March 8 -- 10 AM - 2 PM Community Reading and Birding Walks, Little Rock Audubon Center, 4500 Springer Blvd, Little Rock. Audubon Delta, the Arkansas Audubon Society, Central Arkansas Master Naturalists, Audubon Society of Central Arkansas, and Sierra Club are cosponsoring this event, featuring members of the Central Arkansas community reading excerpts from Aldo Leopold's A Sand County Almanac and other nature-inspired works by authors such as Robin Wall Kimmerer and Drew Lanham. Feel free to come and go during the day. Guided birding walks on the trails will take place at 11 and 1--bring binoculars if you have them. The Center has pairs that can be used. A limited number of copies of A Sand County Almanac will be available.