02.22.2024

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🏞️ Leopold’s legacy lives on

Aldo Leopold’s impact on Wisconsin and the world, 75 years on

A paperback copy of A Sand County Almanac, featuring a sunset over a rural landscape with geese flying.jpg

“A Sand County Almanac” has had over two million copies printed and has been translated into over 14 languages. | Photo by 608today

Aldo Leopold, the first research director of the UW-Madison Arboretum, wrote, “When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”

Those words are in his book, “A Sand County Almanac,” published in 1949. Considered the bible of land conservation, the book is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and the Madison area is taking note with lectures, readings, and tours.

A portrait of Aldo Leopold, a bald man in glasses wearing a tan button up shirt.png — Aldo Leopold was the first research director at UW-Madison Arboretum. | Photo via Aldo Leopold Foundation

Who is Aldo Leopold?

Considered by many to be the father of wildlife ecology and modern conservation, Leopold was a forester, philosopher, educator, writer, and outdoor enthusiast.

In 1933, he was appointed Professor of Game Management at UW-Madison, the first such professorship in the country.

A humble wooden shack with a white door in a green patch of trees.jpg — Aldo Leopold’s shack in Baraboo is a pilgrimage site for conservationists. | Photo via Aldo Leopold Foundation

Why is he important?

Leopold introduced the idea of a “land ethic.” A moral code of conduct, it expands the definition of community to not only include humans, but all the other parts of the earth: animals, plants, water, and soil.

How can we celebrate?

Note: All events are free to participate in.

Friday, March 1- Saturday, March 9
Leopold Week, Virtual
Put on by the Aldo Leopold Foundation, eight virtual speaker sessions will explore how one can be more connected to the land.

Saturday, March 2
Madison Reads Leopold: Voices of a Land Ethic, UW-Madison Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Hwy.
A community reading of “A Sand County Almanac,” and writings from other environmental thinkers, will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Visitor Center.

Sunday, March 3
Leopold Nature Walk, UW-Madison Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Hwy.
Taking place from 1 to 2:30 p.m., the naturalist-led walk will go through restored Wisconsin ecosystems.

Saturday, March 16
Maple Syrup Fest, Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 330 Femrite Dr.
This family friendly event, from 1 to 4 p.m., will lead visitors through the history and science of maple syruping.

Saturday, March 23
Bird and Nature Adventure, Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 330 Femrite Dr.
Attendees will walk with a naturalist through the property, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Click for more on Leopold’s life and work.

We're all connected

Events

Thursday, Feb. 22

Intro to Woodworking for Kids | Thursday, Feb. 22, Thursday, Feb. 29 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | The Bodgery, 740 Oscar Ave., Madison | $140 | Do your littles like to whittle? Youngsters are invited to this hands-on workshop.
This One’s For You: the songs of Barry Manilow | Thursday, Feb. 22 | 7:30-10:30 p.m. | The Bur Oak, 2262 Winnebago St, Madison | $25-$30 | Every woman and man-ilow should attend this concert featuring local performers Emily Glick, Shannon Payette Seip, and Gail Becker.

Friday, Feb. 23

Beer and Chocolate Pairing | Friday, Feb. 23 | 6-8 p.m. | Starkweather Brewing Company, 2439 Atwood Ave., Madison | $35 | Enjoy the brewery’s taps while indulging in Gail Ambrosius’s truffles and chocolates.
Solshine Reverie: On The Road Tour | Friday, Feb. 23 | 7 p.m. | Majestic Madison, 115 King St., Madison | $10-$15 | Support local artists as they compete for a spot on the Solshine Reverie lineup.

Saturday, Feb. 24

Fruit Tree Pruning for Beginners | Saturday, Feb. 24 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Four Winds Farm, 5735 Adams Rd., Fitchburg | $20 | Come to an orchard for live demonstrations and interactive discussions, learning practical tips to grow your own fruit trees.
Pixar in Concert | Saturday, Feb. 24 | 2:30-5 p.m. | Overture Center, 201 State St., Madison | $15-$80 | Listen to selections of Pixar classics, like “Cars” and “Ratatouille,” with full-scale cinematic visuals projected behind a full orchestra.

Sunday, Feb. 25

Winter Festival of Poetry | Sunday, Feb. 25 | 2 p.m. | Arts + Literature Laboratory, 111. S. Livingston St., Madison | Free | Spend your Sunday with some sonnets.
Jiji and Danbi Guitar and Violin Duo | Sunday, Feb. 25 | 2-3:30 p.m. | Bethel Lutheran Church, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison | Free | Enjoy an afternoon with accomplished musicians in a sacred space.

Monday, Feb. 26

Simply Stitched | Monday, Feb. 26 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Sequoia Library, 4340 Tokay Blvd., Madison | Free | Have an itch to stitch? Join others at this drop-in sewing group.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Opening

Minocqua Brewing Company’s Kirk Bangstad’s new venture on Madison’s East side will open this spring. The new pilot Madison brewery and taproom is located in the former Growlers to Go-Go location at 2927 E. Washington Ave. It will feature a small bar and stage for live performances. (Isthmus)

Plan Ahead

Get your scarves out, soccer fans. Single game tickets for Forward Madison FC will be on sale starting Friday, March 1, at 10 a.m. The first match of the 2024 season, taking place at Breese Stevens Field, will be on Saturday, April 13 against the Richmond Kickers.

Edu

Wisconsin students at the top of their class will now be guaranteed, by law, admittance to Universities of Wisconsin schools. For all system schools, in-state students who are in the top 10% of their class will be admitted, except for UW-Madison. For UW-Madison, admission is guaranteed to the top 5%. (Channel 3000)

Sports

For the first time in program history, the UW-Madison men’s and women’s rowing programs will compete at the 38th annual Windermere Cup on Saturday, May 4. Taking place in Seattle (we’re coming for you, SEAtoday), the Badgers will race against the University of Washington and crews from the Italian National Team.

Biz

Several businesses in the Madison area made the cut for Forbes’ best places to work in the US. UW-Madison and American Family Insurance made the list, as did beloved Wisconsin-based companies such as Kwik Trip and Blain’s Farm and Fleet. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Ranked

Madison is the second-best mid-sized metro area for female tech professionals in the nation. This, according to a new study from CoworkingCafe. The report notes that Madison ensures the well-being of women in STEM due to a high percentage of females having health insurance and a low female unemployment rate. (In Business)

Development

For local science companies looking for research and development space, SARA Investment Real Estate has plans to help. The company is looking to create Velocity Station, a for-lease laboratory space at the former Clock Tower office park at 6411 Odana Rd. No timeline has been set for the project yet. (Cap Times)

Health

New research from UW-Madison finds people who immediately try again to quit smoking after a failed attempt are far more successful than people who take a break before giving it another try. The multi-year study, led by Tanya Schlam, was recently published in Addiction.

Home

Getting organized? This 24-piece glass storage container set is perfect for meal prep or storing leftovers and is on sale through the weekend.*

Festival

🌭 Meat-ing the community

Brat Fest doesn’t happen without the help of Madisonians

A photo of a volunteer wearing a green shirt holding a platter of bratwursts.jpeg

Brat Fest has sold over 4 million brats to support charities over the years. | Photo via Brat Fest

Sure, it’s still three months away, but the world famous Brat Fest is already sizzling.

The festival takes place at the Alliant Energy Center Friday, May 24-Sunday, May 26. Expect music (this year’s acts include the Village People, Quiet Riot, and Neal McCoy), family-friendly fun, and, of course, a whole lotta brats.

Each year, nearly 5,000 volunteers play a part in the festival’s success.

Volunteers receive:

Brat Fest T-Shirt
Brat Buck (Good for a Brat, Hot Dog, Corn or Soda)
Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream free scoop
$10 of every hour they volunteer goes to the charity of their choice or to support Brat Fest

Individuals (must be at least 14 years old) looking to volunteer can email Annie.

Click the button below to learn about how organizations can help by being a Brat Fest Charity.

Hot diggity dog

The Buy

The Buy 2.22.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A memory foam knee pillow for side sleepers, which can help protect spine alignment and support knee joints while you sleep. Bonus: Choose standard or large for a pillow that’s sized right for your body.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Jonathan

From the editor

If you have a chance to get up to Baraboo, do yourself a favor and find a little natural bliss wandering the Aldo Leopold Foundation property.

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