"ALDO LEOPOLD'S IOWA"

(I’m sharing some of my notes from Robert Sayre’s talk at BPL on Saturday, April 5, which initiates the month of diverse Burlington programs celebrating Aldo Leopold. … Lois Rigdon)
Bob began by citing three influences in Iowa history in the early 1900’s which had formative effects on Aldo Leopold. These were: (1) Prairie School Architecture; (2) the Conservation Movement; (3) the Depression.
Sayre shared photos of outstanding examples of the Prairie School Architecture movement from Mason City –designs by Frank Lloyd Wright and Walter Burley Griffin, et. al. These were characterized by use of native and regional materials, natural colors. They were considered new ideas of the time and made to reflect the prosperity of owners, and a desire for urban comforts.
As he referenced the book “Places of Quiet Beauty” by Rebecca Conard which is a history of Iowa Parks, the audience learned that Dr. MacBride of UI is to be given much credit for recognizing the importance of the natural environment in Iowa. His name and others like Bohumil Shimek and Ada Hayden, who were important in Iowa’s early conservation efforts, are commemorated by having their names on state preserves. The early state park movement (1920) was envisioned to preserve outstanding or unique landscape features and for scientific interest. Later the purpose changed somewhat & parks were advocated for recreational value.
The emphasis on parks was not adequate protection for the land and wildlife habitat to people like Ding Darling and Aldo Leopold. In 1928 Leopold was commissioned to do the 1st Midwest game survey. A result was his developing philosophy that wildlife management should be encouraged through food and habitat on private property as well as public lands. This was stated eloquently in Leopold’s essay “Farmer as Conservationist”.
The effects of erosion during the depression years of the 30’s had its impact on wildlife habitat in Iowa. 49.6% of Iowa farms were occupied by tenants who often had to focus on production not conservation in their farming practices. Photos of Pete Wettach document that era and are the subject of Leslie Loveless’ book “A Bountiful Harvest”. Artworks such as “Mother Earth Laid Bare” by Alex Hogue (1938) and Grant Wood’s “Fall Plowing” also reflect the midwest landscape of that time.
Leopold’s observations of the importance of ecological balance in a landscape and his interest in preserving important elements such as native plants continued throughout his life. Robert Sayre’s talk provided a historic background of the early 1900 time in Iowa and wove those influences into Leopold’s life, giving us a better understanding of his views.