A Plea for the Future

Reflection paper of The Land Ethic from A Sand County Almanac, With Essays
on Conservation from Round River by Aldo Leopold, 1949
Anngilee Rollins
Biology 1120-401
Instructor: Jessica Berryman
February 27, 2016

In 1949 Aldo Leopold wrote The Land Ethic with the intention of expanding human
mindfulness towards the natural world around us and the impact that we as humans have on the
complex webs of life. His is a cry for people to realize the dependence that all organisms,
including humans, have on each other and thus attesting to the importance of caring for and
exercising wisdom over all resources, regardless of economic values. He implores not just for
higher quantities of conservation education to be taught, but for higher qualities of conservation
education to be established. For without proper education, there can be no hope of understanding
the depth of importance that conservation has, nor is a sense of ethical accountability likely to be
cultivated. As it stands today, education is slowly gaining momentum regarding ethical and
moral responsibility but is still viewed as secondary in importance next to the vast economic
needs of sustaining ever increasing populations. Leopold makes the point that for the future
survival of our species, and every other species, it is essential that we realize our
interdependence on all biotic communities, and develop ethics that create a sense of membership
within those communities instead of acting as conqueror over them.
Aldo Leopold made many important points to consider regarding land ethics and the
connection humans have with the rest of all biotic communities. He spends a large part of his
paper talking about the economic needs vs. the intrinsic/ethical values we place on land and how
the two need to be balanced and viewed together if we are to repair and preserve the resources
we have been given. He believes that conservation education is paramount to the success of
achieving the goal of developing responsibility regarding land ethics in the hearts of men.
Teaching conservation needs not only to increase, but to improve its educational content to
include ethical obligation. In referring to current educational programs of the day, Leopold warns
of conservation systems falsely assuming that the economic parts of the biotic clock will

function without the uneconomic parts. It tends to regulate to government many functions
eventually too large, too complex, or too widely dispersed to be performed by government. An
ethical obligation on the part of the private land owner is the only visible remedy for these
situations (Pg. 214). Here he makes the point that we cannot leave regulation and stewardship
up to government, as there is too much to encompass. Instead he states that individuals, private
land owners, must step up to the challenge if there is to be success in conservation efforts.
Man has always viewed himself as the dominant being on this earth; molding the world
to his needs and wants. Leopard brings to our attention the domino effects that man has on
different environmental circuits and how people cannot alter one thing in a circuit without
causing multiple chain reactions, for good or ill, within them. I dont think people realize the
importance that each organism plays in their respective environment. I myself as an avid lover of
nature and animals did not understand the significant impact that a seemingly simple thing such
as soil can have on an ecosystem till this class and through reading this paper. It has increased
my awe of nature and my wonderment at how environments are able to hold on and survive as
well as they have through so much destruction and violence that we thrust upon it. It has also
increased my disappointment that through all this time, people still willingly turn a blind eye to
the ever increasingly more obvious signs of depletion and desolation that we are leaving in our
wake. As Leopold stated, we need to start viewing ourselves as part of the land community
before we destroy what we still have left and the land expires.
The Land Ethic presents a sense of conservation philosophy that would help to unify man
with nature and thus benefit both in kind. My own conservation philosophy is continually
expanding; molding to fit new ideas as my knowledge of the world increases. I believe that as the
dominant species on earth, man has been given the responsibility of being wise stewards over the

different resources this world provides, not using in excess, but also learning how to better use
and manage what the earth has provided. My beliefs grew from being raised by a mother who
showed a love and awe towards nature and a father who taught me the importance of respect and
stewardship over all God created for us. I believe that God made all on this earth; humans and
animals and soil alike. All are important and I believe by caring for all we have been given, I am
showing God my gratitude for them and also preserving the wonders of this earth for my children
and their childrens children.
When considering the role of humans as plain members of the land community instead of
conquerors over it, I think the term respect would start to take on a new meaning for society. In
practice, respect for fellow members and for the community as a whole would be shown in
countless ways. Firstly, practicing this ethic would mean taking only what was needed, not
creating waste with regards to both food consumption and land exhaustion. Secondly, it would
mean finding ways to co-exist more harmoniously with the community that disrupts the
ecosystem as little as possible-thus allowing the most natural energy circuits to flourish and
benefit all. Thirdly, the inhumane treatment of animals in lab tests and animal farms would be
done away with. Hunting for the purpose of pleasure or pest control (e.g. wolves being killed
for hunting livestock) would almost entirely cease to exist. I also think that applying this ethic
would mean staying on the path; preserving flora as much for the animals that depend on it as for
the beautifying of this earth. Simply put, applying this ethic and showing respect would allow all
to benefit and could almost ensure future generations of all species a place in this world.
Comparing our land relations today with land relations of the 1940s, I think that we have
come a long way both for the better and for the worse. One the one hand, greater social pressure
is being pressed on companies and industries to care for the environment and they in turn are

responding by increasing efforts of taking responsibility for their impact on the surrounding
biotic communities. On the other hand, more lands and ecosystems have been destroyed all in the
name of profit and gain; both from companies and private land owners alike. As soil fertility
diminishes even private land owners care primarily about keeping the flow of money steady so
they can bring home the bacon. I do think that environmental awareness is increasing and people
have started to take steps in reversing damage or at least reducing their carbon footprint, (owning
up to moral land obligations) but I personally think that its a slow process getting people to see
beyond monetary profits and gain.
When Aldo Leopold said that land ethic is sending a communitys sensibilities to all
members of the community to me it means that there is an awareness extended out to all
community members (human and non-human) which acknowledges that each member has
feelings. It expands human awareness beyond our own wants, and recognizes that all members
have emotional responses to stimuli in the environment, for good or bad. I think that by
extending our sensibilities to all creatures, we are opening ourselves up to take responsibilities
for the impact our actions have on all biotic communities. It would mean less animal abuse,
needless hunting, littering, developing/thoughtlessly changing the land purely for economic gain.
As Leopold put it, it would mean an internal change in our intellectual emphasis, loyalties,
affections, and convictions towards all (Pg. 210).
Reflecting on another quote from The Land Ethic Ive come to believe that the human
race may never do what is right for the sake of integrity, though Im sure many individuals and
groups will and do. Leopold is quoted as saying, A thing is right when it tends to preserve the
integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise (Pg.
224-225). After pondering over this quote, I must agree with what it says, though I struggle with

some of its implications. All have a right to life and all should be preserved, this is true. But for
all the love and respect I have for all life on this earth, this quote to me is saying that any
manipulation of the natural land for the expansion of the growing human population is wrong.
Even with great care, the building of towns or businesses is going to in some way, shape, or
form, hurt the integrity, stability and even beauty of the biotic community. While I do think we
could and should find creative ways to live in harmony with this quote in mind, and to repair and
care better for all around us, I do not feel it is always possible to the degree that Leopard wishes
without humans digressing back to caveman times.
I am strongly motivated by my moral ethics and I strive to do what is right regardless of
the consequences. Beauty comes in many shapes and forms, many of which go by unnoticed or
unappreciated by most people. I think that while I am motivated by ethics, I think they are tied
into beauty more than meets the eye. For practicing ethics over something becomes beautiful in
the eye of someone who loves, respects and admires it. The quote, It is inconceivable to me that
an ethical relationship [with land] can exist without love, respect, admirations, and a high regard
for its value rings true to me and I think it is these elements (love, respect, and admiration) that
need to be incorporated into conservation education to help increase its quality and promote a
sense of individual responsibility.
It is love, respect and admiration for the endless and amazing life found on this earth that
drives land ethics in my life. While it does have elements of self-interest, ranging from selftherapy to satisfying my curious nature to see everything close up in person, I feel a strong pull
to protect what we have on this earth regardless of how much interaction I get to actually have
with nature. I see the importance and weight each biotic element can have on all of us and I hold
deep concern for what the future holds for our descendants. I see how we are not just killing off

species, but ultimately ourselves if we do not take larger actions against the degradation we have
already caused. Each species on this earth has a right to live, and as the dominate beings on earth
I feel it is our responsibility to act as stewards over, care for, and protect what we have been
given.
The Land Ethic, written by Aldo Leopold back in 1949, did an effective job for me in
creating a sense of connection with and a greater understanding of biotic communities as a
whole. Since 1949 so many efforts have been taken to help preserve and protect what we have
left, but I would be interested in what he would have to say if he were to rewrite this paper now
in 2016. He was able to reach through time and help mold and direct my thoughts and increase
my motivation for conserving and caring for diminishing biotic components. I admit that it was
not the easiest read to involve myself in at first, but going back and reading for understanding
instead of for the sake of reading it, I found that I was drawn to its messages and lessons it
provided. I have read other papers in the past that made me feel like I should be condemned
because I am human and I am destroying this earth, but this paper did not. I like how he
incorporated humans as a part of the whole pie, but as such, we have obligations to do our part in
preserving and protecting this world instead of destroying it like the direction that we have been
heading.
I enjoyed how he talked about energy circuits and how those circuits connect us all. I find
joy in feeling a part of this whole. When he said Land, then, is not merely soil; it is a fountain of
energy flowing through a circuit of soils, plants, and animals (Pg. 216) and talked about the land
pyramid, it created an image that made it easier to feel like we are link[ed] in the thousands of
accretions to the height and complexity of the pyramid (Pg. 216). I think that people need to
read articles such as this to help us reconnect ourselves with the world around us. Perhaps

though, it wouldve been helpful to also include more scientific research data to draw in those
who are more logically minded and not emotionally attached such as I am (are logically minded
people drawn to actions based on ethical principles?). This also ties in with his desire to
emphasize conservation education. He said himself that education needed to be bolder in
declaring land ethics and in helping to develop love, respect, and admiration for biotic
communities, and I agree. I think he had a good grasp on the ethical standards of the day and
how Land-use ethics [were] still governed wholly by economic self-interest (Pg. 209). Most
people are still stuck in that self-interest today despite conservation programs and efforts that are,
thank goodness, increasing in popularity. People and companies still disregard any importance
the environment holds and for the life found therein. If it doesnt immediately benefit them, then
people will turn a blind eye on land-ethics; We have been too timid, and too anxious for quick
success, to tell the farmer the true magnitude of his obligations (Pg. 209). It is time to increase
boldness and the importance we place on this earth. It is the only one we have and we are
hindering its survival. Every effort helps, but we still have so far to go.