A Sand County Almanac: And Sketches From Here And There
What is our place in the natural world? Read Aldo Leopold’s foundational work of conservation literature, first published in 1949.
Welcome to the SciFri Book Club page about A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold. You can read the book, join our community space, attend an event, sign up for our email newsletter, or send us a message via our contact page.
This November, the SciFri Book Club is reading A Sand County Almanac: And Sketches Here and There by Aldo Leopold. First published in 1949, A Sand County Almanac is a collection of vivid and moving descriptions of the ways in which wildlife changes, the prose shifting to accommodate every month, season, and habitat with graceful and vibrant prowess. Whether you’ve always felt a deep connection to North American wildlife or are just beginning your journey, this book gently guides you through a series of observations and reflections on nature, and the importance of land ethics in fostering a deeper relationship with the natural world.
A Sand County Almanac brings together a range of topics, including conservation, ecology, philosophy, natural history, animal behavior, and more—and we’ll touch on these ideas throughout this Book Club season. You can get your copy from your local bookstore or from The Aldo Leopold Foundation, our partner for this month’s Book Club pick.
This Book Club season kicks off Friday, November 1, and you can read along with us! We’ll be (loosely) following this schedule, but all our readers are welcome to join us at their own pace:
- November 1-10: Part 1 – A Sand County Almanac
- November 11-17: Part 2 – Sketches Here And There
- November 18-24: Part 3 – The Upshot
- November 25-30: Final thoughts
Plus, we’ll be hosting events throughout the month! Keep an eye out on our website or join our Events newsletter to be the first to know.
There are so many ways to dive in and participate! You can grab a copy of the book, join the discussion on our online community space, sign up for our email newsletter, and RSVP for our upcoming Book Club events. Check out all the details below.
Grab Your Own Copy
Science Friday, in partnership with The Aldo Leopold Foundation, is giving away 10 free copies of A Sand County Almanac: And Sketches Here and There by Aldo Leopold. Enter for your chance to win today!
This form will close at 10:00 a.m. ET on Friday, October 25. Winners will be chosen randomly, and notified via email by Monday, October 28. Our Book Club for this book officially begins on November 1, 2024!
If you’d like to purchase a physical copy, we encourage you to start local! Check out the SciFri Book Club partner bookstores and libraries—if you’re in the area, consider supporting your local bookseller or public library (plus, mention our Book Club for a percentage off your purchase at participating shops!).
If they don’t have the book in stock or you’d rather purchase online, you can support Science Friday by buying your copy on our Bookshop.org page.
Want more ways to read? This book is available in a few formats via online retailers, your local library, or elsewhere:
Your local library may not currently have A Sand County Almanac in its catalog, but many branches offer ways for patrons like you to submit book suggestions to librarians. Look for ways to suggest new titles via the Libby or OverDrive app, a form submission on your library’s website, or a suggestion box at your local branch!
Save The Date: SciFri Book Club Events
Experts on A Sand County Almanac with the SciFri Book Club
Experts will delve into Aldo Leopold’s vision of a harmonious relationship between humans and nature as the panel discusses the book’s enduring impact on conservation, environmentalism, and land ethics. Whether you’re new to Leopold’s ideas or a longtime admirer, this discussion offers fresh insights into his revolutionary approach to understanding and caring for the natural world.
Join us online for a livestream all about the science topics featured in the SciFri Book Club pick for November 2024. Come with your queries and wonderings—we’ll be taking your questions in the livestream comments!
SciFri Book Club November community meeting: A Sand County Almanac
Want to meet other SciFri Book Club members, talk about the book selection, and find more resources for deeper learning—all without leaving your home? Our community meeting is the place for you!
This discussion meeting will focus on themes and topics featured in A Sand County Almanac. You’re welcome to join us no matter your reading progress—come chat with other science-interested folks about conservation, ecology, philosophy, natural history, animal behavior, and more.
Join Our Community Space
And as you start reading, join us on our online community space: the SciFri Book Club is on Mighty Networks, a platform where we can gather, read and discuss science books together. We’ve built this community space to create a better way for readers to stay connected with other Book Clubbers, and we hope you’ll join us there!
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Subscribe to SciFri Book Club emails to stay updated on our monthly read sand join us for community discussions. We’ll send emails a few times per week.