Why does conservation matter today? Climate change, habitat loss, and pollution have contributed to more animals becoming endangered. Conservation helps to protect natural resources so future generations can enjoy them.
What is Conservation?
Conservation is the proper management of natural resources (land, water, wildlife, forests, air, etc.) so that people years into the future will still be able to enjoy them. "The Story of Conservation: A First Book About Protecting Nature" by Catherine Barr is an excellent book to help explain the concept of conservation to little kids.
People are often confused by the differences between conservation and preservation. Conservation is the responsible use and management. Preservation is protecting the land/resource from use. They are not interchangeable.
The key goals of conservation are:
- Protecting ecosystems and biodiversity
- Preventing resource depletion
- Supporting human needs and long-term sustainability
Major Conservation Laws In The United States
Endangered Species Act (ESA)
The Endangered Species Act became law on December 28th, 1973, when President Richard Nixon signed it, and it is still a federal law today. The ESA protects endangered and threatened species. It designates critical habitats and requires federal agencies to avoid jeopardizing the listed species.
Parts of how it's enforced and interpreted are being challenged or proposed to be weakened, even though the law hasn't been taken away. The U.S. Department of the Interior and federal wildlife agencies have proposed rules that could change how the ESA is applied, including narrowing the definition of what it means to "harm" a species. This could potentially exclude the destruction of habitats.
Bills in Congress, like the ESA Amendments Act of 2025 (HR 1897), would slow down species listings and make it easier to delist species. The conservation community warns that these changes would reduce the law's effectiveness at protection, especially as climate change and habitat loss increase threats to biodiversity.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
The National Environmental Policy Act became law on January 1, 1970. It was signed by President Richard Nixon and is considered the foundation of modern U.S. environmental law. It was the first U.S. law to require the federal government to think about environmental impacts before making decisions.
NEPA does not ban projects, but instead requires federal agencies to:
- Study how their actions affect the environment
- Look at alternatives
- Inform the public
- Make informed decisions
It applies to roads, highways, dams, energy projects, and military projects. Basically, if federal money, land, or approval is involved, then NEPA usually applies.
NEPA is mostly enforced through the courts, not fines or jail time. If an agency ignores impacts or fails to involve the public, then citizens, states, or others can sue the agency in federal court. A judge can halt construction, pause permits, and require a new or corrected Environmental Impact Statement. This can cost millions of dollars and cause major delays. NEPA doesn't punish people; it holds federal agencies accountable. NEPA promotes public transparency and accountability in development decisions.
NEPA is more than paperwork. It's what forces federal agencies to actually look at how a plan might harm the environment and gives the public a chance to weigh in. Its protections are in danger. CEQ's (Council on Environmental Quality) government-wide regulations were removed in 2025, and this significantly weakened how NEPA works.
Conservation Matters
Conservation laws protect the environment and biodiversity. What we could lose if we lose those laws:
- Forests and trees that clean our air and provide homes for animals
- Wild animals and plants, including endangered species that may disappear forever
- Clean water in rivers, lakes, and oceans
- Pollinators like bees and butterflies that help grow our food
- Natural wonders like parks, wetlands, and coral reefs
- Biodiversity, which makes nature strong and able to recover from disasters
- Food sources that depend on healthy soil, insects, and water
- Future discoveries, like new medicines made from plants
- A healthy planet for future generations
Do all you can and act now! Share the conservation message globally.
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