We all want to do our part to help the earth, to take part in preservation efforts and conservation efforts, and… uh oh… these aren’t the same things, are they. Maybe you’ve never thought about it, but do you know the difference?
Hints for you: one is often associated with terms like “sustainability” and “responsible use,” while the other is often associated with a “leave no trace” mentality.
Maybe you can think your way through this, considering the “con-” and “pre-” prefixes. Con means “together or “with” in Latin, and pre means “before.” That’s all you need? All set? Well, just in case a bit more explanation might help, let’s take this “conservation” vs. “preservation” discussion a few more steps back—a few more steps back not disturbing the wilderness underfoot, of course.
Let’s start with the basics:
- “Conserve” means to maintain and often specifically to avoid wasteful or destructive uses of.
- “Preserve” means, for the purposes of this conversation, to keep safe from destruction or injury. (Conversations of pickling fruit don’t apply here.)
We’re seeing a theme taking shape. One implies use, but a thoughtful use. One implies keeping safe.
Thus, the noun forms follow this idea:
- “Conservation” means to use nature in a safe, respectful, and/or maintainable way.
- “Preservation” means to keep nature safe, unharmed, and untouched so that people don’t somehow inflict harm, intentional or otherwise.
Thus, a conservation effort might include planting new trees to balance those that were cut down, and a preservation effort might protect a wetland from any building or development.
Both are concerns of environmentalists and all who rightfully care about taking care of the earth and its many creatures from octopuses to mongooses (oh, yeah, you heard those weird plurals right). But there is a difference. “Conservation” vs. “preservation” may not be one of Smokey the Bear’s key teachings, but it’s a valuable difference to know all the same.
Happy hiking, happy writing, and all the best, whatever you may be up to out there.
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