HikeArizona.COM

As most of you know, Aldo Leopold is known as the "father of modern conservation." He was instrumental in getting the first wilderness area of the US established in the Gila Mtns. in New Mexico. He also wrote one of the best known books about conservation: A Sand County Almanac, which is still in print and readily available both used and new.

He first arrived in Springerville in 1909, having gotten off the train in Holbrook and hired a stagecoach to come here to begin his career as a forest ranger.

Starting next week, an event will be held both here in Eagar and in Nutrioso, hosted by the White Mountains Conservation League. I'll attend the free lecture at the new public library in Eagar on Thursday evening, but I have to work over Labor Day weekend, so I don't plan to attend the rest of the event. Here's info about the event: http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/3095 ... f7328fbc8/

Another centennial event was held Aug 15 at Lyman Lake to celebrate Leopold, with a Dutch oven cook-off and other events.

Cool! He was born in Mrs. big_load's hometown, Burlington IA. Unfortunately, there isn't much to commemorate him there, at least publicly.

I attended the free lecture last night at the (brand new!!) Round Valley Library, given by Dr. Susan Flader of the University of Missouri. It was lively and informative. I renewed several acquaintances, and met some new people. I'm going to be writing an article about Leopold for WM Outdoors magazine, need to do some more research, both online and on the phone.

I can attend the campfire on Sunday evening, if I'm not too tired from working. It'll be at Luna Lake Campground, at the group campsite.