Our Mission: We take our name from Aldo Leopold’s essay Round River, along with the idea that ecological study enriches one’s personal land ethic and strengthens a community’s collective wisdom.

Round River is dedicated to conservation strategies that preserve and restore wild places; to that end, we strive to develop and support traditions that sustain wildness. These efforts are anchored in the principles of conservation biology, supported by field research and community planning.

 

At Round River, we are concerned with the ecological crisis that is upon this earth, and have dedicated ourselves to those increasingly rare places best described simply as big wilderness. To us, big wilderness connotes vast landscapes supporting complete assemblages of wildlife including the largest carnivores, as well as indigenous people living on their ancestral lands. Unfortunately, not only is the earth losing its wildest places, but we are also losing in our own imaginations the potential these places once inspired in us. We’ve set as our goal the stewardship of these intact wild places.

Round River began in 1991 as a collection of conservation scientists, artists, and so-called radical activists who came together out of a shared love for big wilderness. Over the years, we learned the importance of collaborating with local people who have maintained strong, enduring land ethics. We also came to understand that we too had to make long-term commitments to the land and people in the places where we work.

From the outset, we recognized the importance of sharing our work with young adults, as well as the value of the landscape as the most visceral of educators. Students are therefore central to our program, and participate in each of our projects to gain first-hand experience with the scientific, social and political aspects of conservation work.

Following the edict of Round River’s board member, Michael Soulé, to be effective conservation planning must include large core areas, big carnivores, and connectivity. Consequently, we set out with our long-term partners and students to produce innovative, comprehensive land protection plans. Today, thanks to the perseverance of our supporters and partners, we are beginning to witness the implementation of these plans.

Additionally, we are being asked to help in other regions around the world, and are seeking new partners to join us in our mission of protecting big wilderness, its wildlife and the people who call these lands their home. If you wish to help or have any questions or comments, please contact us.