Deciding on a Better Tomorrow

Ashlee Averett
BIO 1120-Conservation Biology
Professor
June 20, 2014

The Land Ethic by Aldo Leopold clearly shows the relationship between land and man.
It is a great writing of how the life cycle functions and how if any part of the cycle gets altered it
has an effect on the entire cycle. The fact that we lack any moral principles that relate man to
land, has shown to have a significant impact. The land-relation is still strictly economic,
entailing privileges but not obligations (page 203).
As species of this land, we are part of a very complex community. We have instincts to
find and compete for our place within the community, but we also have instincts to unite. We
claim to love the land, yet our actions portray otherwise. We voluntarily kill whole communities
of plants, place little value on our waters and have caused many species of animals to become
extinct. Our voice contradicts our behaviors. We act as conquerors of the land instead of
citizens of it. This has and will continue to lead us to self-destruction. Our inability to get
beyond our own convenience has left the entire land community to suffer.
Courses in history have shown this very correlation. We have seen it in the settlement of
the Mississippi valley. Historians have placed thought on the many different outcomes that
could have occurred and wondered to what extent it could have changed history. Kentucky was
one sentence in the drama of history. We are commonly told what the human actors in this
drama tried to do, but we are seldom told that their success, or the lack of it, hung in large degree
on the reaction of particular soils to the impact of the particular forces exerted by their
occupancy (page 206). Our lack of education, alongside our lack of ethical obligation to the
land prevents us from seeing the magnitude that the entire land community plays an active role in
the course of life.
We assume far too much of the conservation of the land to others. We feel like we have
done our part if we take simple actions with minimal effort and leave the heavy more intense
work to the government. This doesnt prove to be making a notable difference. It only proves to
motivate people with self-interest. We have made conservation trivial in our attempt to make it
easy.
The entire land community functions as an energy circuit. The land is not merely soil,
the native plants and animals keep the energy circuit open, and man-made changes are unnatural
and cause more effects than are intended or predicted. The soil provides important things for
plants and then to animals and then to humans. Each faucet in the energy circuit provides
valuable assets to its counterparts in an ever ongoing cycle and web. When man disrupts this
cycle it has long term effects and throws everything out of its natural balance.
We as part of the land need to learn to love, respect, and admire the magnitude with
which it serves us. There cannot be a change until this is made so. We cannot serve it and have
it serve us until we are made conscious of the land and the value of it. We need to apply
ourselves as an equal citizen of the land and not the conqueror of it. The evolution of a land
ethic is an intellectual as well as emotional process. Conservation is paved with good intentions
which prove to be futile, or even dangerous, because they are devoid of critical understanding
either of the land, or of economic land-use (page 225).
I never really gave much thought into the idea of conservation outside of my citizen
obligations. Until reading and studying this article, I really didnt relate my actions to the
consequences of the land. Upon reading this, I now see the relevance and find myself thinking
more proactively. I know that my moral obligations to the land are more than just merely being
a part of it.
When considering the statement, A land ethic changes the role of humans from
conqueror of the land community to plain members and citizens of it. It implies respect for his
fellow-members, and also respect for the community as such, I quickly realize that in order to
put this into practice I need to view and act as an equal throughout the land community. I need
to be part of it and not above it. I need to place value to the land and animals as equal
counterparts, showing respect to all aspects.
Just like Leopold said in the 1940s, The land relation is still strictly economic, entailing
privileges but not obligations, it still holds true today. Our land relation is still used for
economic reasons that give us privileges but lacks obligation. We still lack all moral obligations
in regard to the land. We do not feel obligated to take measures to ensure a productive future, or
the life of a species or natural order of things, and dont hesitate to clear land and everything in
its path for our economic benefit.
To extend a communitys sensibilities to all members of the community, both nonhuman
as well as human, would mean to be aware of the value and place that each part has. In my
community this would mean to value, respect and conserve the natural resources present and be
of a conscious mind to the plants, animals and land I benefit and contribute to and from. This
may also extend to educating and encouraging others to do the same.
I 100% agree with the following passage: Land Ethic: A thing is right when it tends to
preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends
otherwise. I believe that Leopold was right in his thinking that we can ALL most fully benefit
when nature has a hand. When we allow for integrity and stability to be reining factors, all
natural order will often times prevail. If we compromise these factors, we cannot foresee the
consequences to be had.
Leopold says it so well when he says, It is inconceivable to me that an ethical
relationship [with land] can exist without love, respect, admiration, and a high regard for its
value. How can we feel any obligation to anything that we dont give any thought to or care
about? These key things guide us to create an ethical relationship towards a passion. I have to
be honest, the amazing beauty of the land and animals provoke the feelings of respect, love, and
admiration that I have towards the land. Because of this, I feel an obligation to manifest my
respect for it and take part in preserving it.
In thinking about my land ethic, I feel for me, it stems primarily from a true interest in
non-human elements. I appreciate the beauty and opportunity the land provides me. I marvel at
the astounding ability it gives. We are but just a small part in a massive ever changing cycle, but
our choices have the ability to alter the future.
I firmly believe that our actions and choices make a difference. I agree with Leopolds
philosophy. We need to sacrifice our immediate benefits to ensure a future that guarantees us
growth and prosperity. We have an ethical duty to provide future generations with a productive
and diverse life cycle. It is our obligation right now.
Reading this article really made me aware of the magnitude we have on our land. Before
this exercise, I admit, I was unaware of the impact and consequences that we as humans are
having on the land. Leopold emphasized and provided many examples to reinforce his thoughts
and findings. This left me a clear picture on exactly how and why and in what aspects that our
choices influence outcomes.
Reading the Land Ethic really opened my views on this particular subject. It put things
into perspective and allowed my knowledge to become expanded. I now have a new
appreciation for the land and its role in the life cycle. I enjoyed reading it and find it very
influential and appealing. I would recommend reading this to anyone, I actually would advise it!
There are so many good thoughts and impressionable ideas mentioned in it. I really enjoyed
every page. I found this exercise very meaningful and life changing.
For all to gain an understanding and appreciation for the land, would only benefit us as a
whole both now and for future generations. Our actions will alter the course of nature, and we
will either benefit or suffer from them. Our ability to reason and respect the land and all that that
entails, will be the deciding factor in how well the life cycle continues.

Works Cited
A Sand County ALMANAC By Aldo Leopold. Land Ethic 1949