What is conservation?

As an interpreter and informal educator, I love questions. Both the asking and the answering spark curiosity and drive learning. That’s why this year’s Conservation Blogs will focus on some common questions that we receive from our guests, program participants, and community members. Before we tackle more specific topics, let’s start with the basics – What is conservation? 

Conservation can mean a lot of things, and organizations or individuals may define it differently. In the broadest terms, conservation can include any action intended to increase or strengthen the preservation, protection, or sustainable management of natural resources. Conservation includes everything from individual actions like recycling or conserving water to international agreements that manage wildlife trade. It can benefit species directly by protecting populations or restoring habitat, or indirectly by addressing the root causes of human-wildlife conflict or conducting research to better understand a species. 

Throughout the rest of the year, we’ll be answering more of your frequently asked questions about conservation. In the meantime, you can visit our website to learn about Zoo Atlanta’s conservation partners. The next time you visit the Zoo, you may be curious about the species you see and how the Zoo is working to conserve their wild counterparts. Please don’t hesitate to ask our team members any questions that you have – we would love to answer them! 

Sarah Hamilton
Interpretive Engagement Specialist