Aldo Leopold and the Land Ethic

Abstract

Aldo Leopold was a great pioneer of ecological restoration and wilderness preservation, but his most enduring achievement was the land ethic, an ecocentric approach he published in his book titled ‘A Sand County Almanac.’ Leopold’s land ethic points out that we are members not only of human society, but also of a wider, an ecological community. These ecological communities have intrinsic value and their beauty and integrity should be protected. The ecocentric view of Aldo Leopold can serve as a guiding principle in current conservation and may be an inspirational source for environmental philosophers, conservation biologists, and nature lovers.