Madison Reads Leopold is a community read-aloud celebrating the life and legacy of Aldo Leopold. MRL has been a celebratory gathering for more than fifteen years.

In 2025, Madison Reads Leopold: Voices of a Land Ethic will take place on March 1 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Arboretum Visitor Center. Join us for a community reading of selections from A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold and writings by other environmental thinkers. Listeners may come and go throughout the event.

Throughout the afternoon, community members will give voice to Leopold’s keen observations and eloquent conservation philosophy. The readings will include the well-known “calendar” essays as well as other pieces chosen for their relevance to the Arboretum, UW–Madison, and the State of Wisconsin. Readings from contemporary environmental thinkers will be incorporated to amplify perspectives, values, and experiences of ethical relationships with the land.

After a welcome at 1 p.m., the afternoon will kick off with selections from Aldo Leopold’s speech at the Arboretum’s dedication ceremony nearly 90 years ago on June 17, 1934. Leopold was the Arboretum’s first research director and closely involved in its design; his words are as timely, eloquent, and inspiring today as when he penned them.

First published 75 years ago, in 1949, A Sand County Almanac has prompted generations of people to take better notice – and care – of the natural environment. Madison Reads Leopold is a community celebration organized for Aldo Leopold Week.

“What a wonderful event to be part of every year to honor Leopold, and to start to know our ecological community. Thank you for this tradition!” — Reader

Reading Schedule

The reading schedule will be posted in late February before the event.