Nina Leopold Bradley 1917- 2011

Nina Leopold Bradley
Photo credits: WIECB





Nina Leopold Bradley died on Wednesday, May 25, 2011.

Although all of Aldo and Estella Leopold's children went on to distinguished careers in science and conservation, for many of us in Wisconsin, Nina was the link to her father's work and legacy. She sat with us in the Shack and told us about how their family would sing in the evenings; how her father never required them to come with the family each weekend to work at the Shack, yet the kids pretty much always came along; how her father delighted in their observations of nature, rather than slipping into science lectures.

Nina always reminded me of my own grandmother Lucille who took me birding as a teen. They were both extremely gracious and eloquent. They both were unassuming, gentle women unbridled in their love for nature.

Nina continued to make careful observations of plant and animal life cycle events based on her father's records. Her observations of bird and wildflower appearances in the spring coming earlier and earlier were one of the first examples of how changing climate could be affecting living things.

Nina was a scientist with a naturalist's heart--a rare combination in these days of specialization. Her passing feels like we've lost that link to the generation whose love for nature was evidenced in careful observation and reflected through sharing music, writing, and spending time together outdoors.

The Aldo Leopold Foundation which Nina helped found, has some wonderful photos and links about Nina on their website. I especially love the one with Nina with her arms full carrying a shotgun under one arm, and a guitar over her shoulder.