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Junior Rangers
Rain, Rain. . .
Don't Go Away!!
Part I |
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Your Mission. . . |
Introduction: How It all Began
The term conservation has many different definitions. Some people consider conservation the protection of those plants and animals that grow or live wild in nature. Others feel that to protect those precious minerals that are produced within the Earth is more important. Today, the most widely accepted definition of conservation is the "the management and human use of the biosphere so that it may yield the greatest sustainable benefit while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations." In other words, it is our responsiblity to maintain those living and non-living resources in the best possible condition. Such a condition will encourage them to grow and thrive in a healthy, nurturing atmosphere so that future generations can continue to benefit from their use.
Although some type of conservation practices have occurred throughout the history of mankind, the idea of conserving our precious natural resources is somewhat new. Our main conservation activities today are aimed at (1) maintaining the natural processes responsible for the growth and health of the resources that we depend on and, (2) maintaining the diversity of the living organisms that share the planet. Activities aimed at reaching these goals include the protection of endangered species, the recycling of scarce mineral resources, the careful use of energy resources, and the care of soils and and other living resources.
Ecology is the science concerned with the relationship between life and the environment. In order to begin careful and thoughtful conservation practices, we must have a good understanding of science and technology. We must also have an understanding of human feelings, beliefs, and attitudes toward our world and the environment in which we live.
