Nurturing The Fierce Green Fire: Aldo Leopold

“When we begin to see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” Such were Aldo Leopold’s words in his most popular book, A Sand County Almanac. This book is now known as one of the most important books on conservation ever written. His words, described as deep yet simple, changed the world of conservation forever.

Who is Aldo Leopold>

Aldo Leopold was born in 1887 in Burlington, Iowa, into a family that cherished the outdoors. This early exposure to nature’s splendor germinated a deep-seeded passion for the environment in young Aldo. He later ventured to Yale University to further cultivate his interest in forestry, which was still a budding field at the time. After graduating with a master’s degree in forestry, Leopold began a career that would plant seeds of environmental thought that are still rooted in today’s conservation movements.

His mother ensured he and his siblings were well-educated and could write well. She wanted them to be able to write coherent and meaningful letters to her when they were away. Leopold’s letters home as a teenager proved that quite early on, he was a talented writer and a keen observer of the world around him.

Leopold’s career initially took him to the U.S. Forest Service, where he worked in the Southwest, managing forests and observing the impacts of human activity on wilderness areas. It was here in the sun-drenched vistas of the American Southwest that Leopold’s environmental philosophy began to flower. He witnessed firsthand the delicate balance between land and those who dwell upon it—both human and non-human.

In his early life, like almost all people in the late 1800s and early 1900s, he was pro-hunting. Not just subsistence hunting but hunting to the eradication of predatory species so that man might have ample deer for themselves. In one of his most famous essays titled "Thinking Like A Mountain", he recounts a pivotal experience in his life where he was out hunting with friends and, without even thinking, shot a mother wolf. He says, “We reached the old wolf in time to watch a fierce green fire dying in her eyes. I realized then and have known ever since that there was something new to me in those eyes, something known only to her and the mountain.”

That “fierce green fire” is easy to imagine. I interpret it as the urgency of motherhood and the desperation of the ecosystem. This essay has resonated so deeply with so many people that many point to it as a turning point in their lives, not just Leopold’s. What he describes here can be extrapolated to all living things; Animals, plants, bugs, and even humans. We all have a yearning for life that is desperate to be satisfied.

He ends the essay by stating, “Perhaps this is the hidden meaning in Thereau’s dictum: In wilderness is the salvation of the world.” These powerful words have shaped the world of conservation and environmentalism. Leopold’s astute observations and artfully crafted words showcase a simple and dense truth of the earth: we are not alone. I don’t mean aliens. I mean in the ecosystem. We are inseparably part of nature in a way that transcends our desire to be independent of it. What Leopold realizes as a result of this experience is that wolves are an integral part of the ecosystem.

As Rachel Carson said, “Man is a part of nature, and his war against nature is inevitably a war against himself.” When we liberally use indiscriminate pesticides, destroy ecosystems, and selfishly dominate the earth’s resources, we are fighting an uphill battle. Yes, we must tend the earth for we are stewards of it. But we can facilitate nature through the gentle use of its existing rules. We can judiciously be part of nature. Some wolves must be killed, some weeds must be pulled, and some trees must be felled, but there must always be an understanding of what part these supposed pests play in the greater ecosystem.

Leopold's Influence on Gardening

What makes Aldo Leopold especially relevant to us gardeners and horticulturalists? It’s his profound understanding of ecological relationships and his belief in sustainable practices. Leopold taught that every creature and every element of the landscape plays a crucial role in the health of the ecological community. For those of us tending our gardens, this perspective encourages us to see beyond just our plots and plants. We start to understand our gardens as a microcosm of the broader ecosystem.

For example, look at the humble and hated dandelion. Dandelions are a notorious lawn and garden pest. But did you know that dandelions are crucial for pollinators, soil health, and the health of your plants? Dandelions are one of the few plants that have nectar and pollen. This makes them attractive to almost all pollinators and provides a necessary food source for them. Dandelions also have taproots that make them difficult to pull up, but did you ever stop to wonder why? They are rockstars that pull nutrients up from deep within the soil, such as calcium, making them available to other plants. In addition, their robust roots break up compacted and unusable dirt into workable and lush soil. Dandelions are even edible! They also have many other benefits for the home and garden. While some gardeners make it their life mission to eradicate dandelions, maybe they aren’t so bad after all. In moderation, they can benefit you and your garden immensely!

As we plant our gardens, let’s plant with intention, nurtured by the wisdom of Aldo Leopold. Every seed sown with respect for the interconnectedness of life contributes to a healthier, more sustainable world. So next time you’re in your garden, remember, you’re not just a gardener—you’re a steward, shaping a tiny part of the vast community that Aldo Leopold and so many others have envisioned. What you do can positively or negatively impact generations to come.

Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

I am a native of Southwestern Michigan, where I also reside, and I love all things plants! I got a Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture and found the first work-from-home job I could get. Now, I spend my days writing for TLM, playing with my dog, eating delicious food with my husband, and plotting my next landscape or gardening move. I believe everyone should get down and dirty in the soil now and then. Happy Gardening!