Learning About Leopold

From Sept. 21 to Sept. 26, Lawrence University’s Björklunden is offering a seminar titled “Aldo Leopold: An Ethical Compass for Our Time” with Susan Flader.

Wisconsin’s Aldo Leopold was arguably the most influential conservation thinker of the 20th century, and his concepts of land health and ethic have inspired millions of readers worldwide. This seminar will begin with discussion of Leopold’s classic A Sand County Almanac, then explore the relevance of his career and thought to contemporary concerns. Participants will discuss selections from the Library of America volume of Leopold’s books, articles, journals and correspondence in addition to film and archival materials. There will also be opportunities for participants to suggest and pursue topics of their own concern.

Flader, professor emerita of history at the University of Missouri, was Aldo Leopold’s first biographer (Thinking Like a Mountain, 1974) and has been a lifelong student of his thought and its implications in our own time. She was a founder and president of the American Society for Environmental History, board chair of the Aldo Leopold Foundation and has been active in numerous national and state conservation organizations on an array of issues, virtually all of which may be informed by Leopold’s experience and philosophy.

Seminar classes meet weekday mornings and some evenings at Björklunden’s lodge, just south of Baileys Harbor. Each seminar includes meals prepared by Björklunden’s resident chef. For complete course descriptions, fees, and registration dates call 920.839.2216 or visit lawrence.edu/s/bjorklunden/bjorkseminars.