WHAT IS CONSERVATION?

The protection and preservation of the Earth's resources (eg plants, animals, land, energy, minerals) or of historical artifacts (eg books, paintings, monuments) for the future. The term is most widely used with reference to the environment, where several reasons are given for conservation. The World Conservation Strategy (1980) concluded that conservation of living resources was needed to preserve genetic diversity, to maintain essential ecological processes, and to ensure the sustainable use of species and ecosystems. This would maintain viable stocks of all animal and plant species, pure air and water, and fertile soil for future use, and allow animals, plants, and land to be there indefinitely. In this way conservation ensures that both present and future generations will be able to make maximum sustainable use of available resources. This definition is essentially economic. Some non-economic, though not necessarily non-utilitarian, reasons for conservation include the enjoyment and spiritual nature of wildlife and the land, the continued use of the land for recreation, and the moral responsibility to future generations to conserve the Earth and its resources. [source: Crystal Reference Encyclopedia]

TAKE ACTION!

SIMPLIFY. Use less. Buy less. Re-use. Recycle. By simplifying, and buying less, we take a smaller toll on our environment and its natural resources.

Get involved with Conservation International in many ways throughout the world protecting threatened habitats, working with local communities environmentally, economically and sustainably. Visit Conservation.org for more information.

PLANT TREES with Americanforests.org.

Go to my LINKS page and find a place to get involved, offer your skills, time and financial support!