What Is Land Conservation?

We can enjoy the beauty of nature around us in its preserved and natural state thanks to the implementation of land conservation in our society.

The core ideology of land conservation is to leave nature untouched by human interference and development.  This environmental practice ensures sustainable farming, has helped create the Conservation Movement and has granted all of us the right to go out and experience the magic of nature.

The principles of land conservation are carried out by ethical practices and often enforced by state and federal laws, which touch upon everything from soil preservation and farming techniques - to our most stunning National Parks and humble public parks.  This practice has become ingrained in our society through over a century of education, research, and instilling environmental values.

After years of studying ecology in the field, I’ve seen first-hand the benefits of practicing land conservation in our society and the dangers that come with reckless care for our environment.  You can trust me when I say that land conservation is an absolutely essential measure that needs to be taken for protecting our lands and our planet’s future.

‍Land Conservation Practices

Since land conservation involves such a wide range of environmental facets, it’s necessary to understand that all sides of this practice are tied together - and each part of it is just as important as the next.  

If you view the Earth as one giant ecosystem, it becomes clear that affecting just one area of it will affect the health of the whole - and when we put our planet at risk, we jeopardize our very existence as a species.

To mitigate and even reverse our negative environmental impact, we utilize land conservation techniques to practice sustainable farming and safeguard our environment.  Let’s explore the ways in which we practice land conservation.

Forestation 

One of the biggest threats to land conservation has been deforestation.  When we destroy our forests for resources and development, we destroy the livelihoods of millions of fauna, kill countless plant and fungi species, and in so many ways are choking the lungs of our planet.

For over a century organizations such as the Forestsociety have worked to instill the value of practicing land conservation to preserve our forests and even create new ones.  Since its start, the organization has saved over a million acres of forest in the United States alone and is responsible for planting countless seeds.  

This land conservation practice maintains the health of our local, national, and global environment - mitigates and reverses the effects of climate change - encourages sustainable food growing - and protects millions of acres of land for outdoor, recreational activity.

Farming

It’s easy to forget that the very soil that helps produce our food is itself a living organism - full of microbes and micro-organisms that allow our soil to stay fertile and our food plentiful.

Improper farming practices have led to the loss of topsoil and the damaging of nutrients in our fertilized soil.  With poor soil management and reckless farming practices in effect, we have seen firsthand the dangers of abusing our land and the long-term risks that come with it.

When we take for granted the importance of land conservation and the use of sustainable farming practices to grow our food, we head down a slippery slope of food shortages and soil loss that cannot easily be undone.  Taking care of our soil means taking care of our food.  Responsible farming is not only a solution to ending world hunger but also vital for managing global economies.

Organic and conscientious food growing is at the heart of responsible farming and a cornerstone of land conservation.

Waterways

Land conservation plays an essential role in protecting our rivers, lakes, and reservoirs from pollution and water shortages.  

The industrial complex has had the most negative effect on contaminating our freshwater resources.  We can see the damage being done by unsanitary farming practices, reckless use of pesticides, oil drilling, and the dumping of industrial waste.  

Land conservation practices are put in place on our waterways to keep them healthy and free of pollution.  This protects the biodiversity of ecosystems, ensures that our drinking water is safe, and encourages recreational activities like fishing, swimming, and other water sports.  

Protecting fresh waterways is a land conservation practice that should be strictly adopted all around the world, as the potential for pollution poses a threat to us all.  With all waterways channeling into the ocean, the consequences become a global issue for countless marine species, the fishing industry, and us as consumers.

Origin of Land Conservation

The natural beauty of the U.S. and much of the world has been widely preserved by implementing the environmental values of land conservation.  

Throughout history, much of the natural world was simply viewed as a means of resources that were intended for trade and survival.  But in the early 1900s conservation pioneers such as John Muir played a fundamental role in shifting this perspective.

Through conservation activism and awareness, John Muir was able to instill land conservation values on a national and global level, which led to the preservation of millions of acres of land around the world and the birth of the National Park Service.

It’s due to key environmental activists and organizations that so much of our lands and our state and national parks are protected from development and kept in their pristine, natural state.  Land conservation is the very core principle behind maintaining the integrity and health of the world’s natural wonders.

Land Conservation At Home

We’ve explored the ways in which large-scale land conservation is practiced but you’ll be delighted to know that there is a lot we can all do as consumers to be a part of this beneficial cause.  

Try implementing some of these DIY conservation methods in your day-to-day life to help build a sustainable future and protect the natural beauty of our world.

• Save water - fixing leaks (big and small) immediately, shorter showers, and mindful water usage.
• Composting -instead of letting your biodegradable waste rot in a landfill, repurpose it by composting it and utilizing it for a home garden.
• Tanbark lawn - as much as we all love our green grass lawns, they are an enormous waste of water.  By adopting a lawn made out of tanbark, you can avoid unnecessary water usage and enjoy less yard maintenance as well.
• Grow your own food - having a home garden eases reliance on industrial farming and keeps your local soil fertile.

Every day people like us are a driving force that is pushing land conservation further into the mainstream and instilling environmental values for generations to come.