Habitat Conservation - Conservation Movement

Conservation Movement

For much of human history, nature had been seen as a resource, one that could be controlled and used for personal and economic gain. The idea was that plants only existed to feed animals and animals only existed to feed man. The land itself had limited value only extending to the resources it could provide such as minerals and oil. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries social views started to change and when in 1872, the world’s first national park, Yellowstone National Park in the United States of America, was declared, did the official conservation movement begin. Rather than focusing on the economic or material benefits associated with nature, humans began to appreciate the value in the nature itself and the need to protect pristine wilderness. By the middle of the 20th century countries such as the United States, Canada, and Britain understood this appreciation and instigated laws and legislation in order to ensure that the most fragile and beautiful environments would be protected for generations to come. Today with the help of NGO’s, not-for profit organizations and governments world-wide there is a stronger movement taking place, with a deeper understanding of habitat conservation with the aim of protecting delicate habitats and preserving biodiversity on a global scale. The commitment and actions of small volunteering association in villages and towns, that endeavour to emulate the work done by well known Conservation Organisations, is paramount in ensuring generations that follow understand the importance of conserving natural resources. A village conservation group with the mission statement "We are committed to protecting and enhancing the natural environment in and around the adjoining villages of Ouston and Urpeth." may one day inspire a child who becomes the employee of a worldwide conservation organisation.