A land ethic expands the definition of “community” to include not only humans, but all of the other parts of the Earth, as well: soils, waters, plants, and animals, or what Leopold called “the land.” “When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” What is a Land Ethic?Įthics direct all members of a community to treat one another with respect for the mutual benefit of all. Ethics are demonstrated by the way people live their lives: When a person cares about someone or something, their actions convey that care and respect, and invite the same in return.

What are Ethics?įundamentally grounded in values, ethics are a moral sense of right and wrong. At its core, the idea of a land ethic is simply caring: about people, about land, and about strengthening the relationships between them.

Published in 1949 as the finale to A Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopold’s “Land Ethic” essay is a call for moral responsibility to the natural world.

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