Understanding Nature Conservation: 6 Conservation Methods

Nature conservation is a movement that focuses on protecting natural resources and wildlife from extinction, while also slowing down the rate of climate change and other detrimental effects. Nature conservation ensures that there is enough biological diversity within the planet’s ecosystems, helps establish protected areas, reduces habitat loss, and strives to prevent further destruction. Conservation actions can enhance ecosystem services, encourage sustainability, and help us maintain a healthier environment. Conservation can maintain natural resources for future generations to use, focusing on the well-being and longevity of our planet. Nature conservation comes in many forms, with each one aiming to benefit all living organisms on earth. Conservationists and local communities can all have a hand in conserving our natural world. Below are a few methods of nature conservation: 1. __Planting trees__. Each year, approximately 15 billion trees are cut down. Trees absorb the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, converting it into breathable oxygen. Reestablishing forests [can help reduce the harm](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ deforestation -explained) caused by logging and deforestation practices. 2. __Using alternative energy resources__. Switching to [solar power](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/solar-energy-explained) or [geothermal energy](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/geothermal-energy-explained) can help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, cutting down on the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere, while also reducing the need for mining and drilling. 3. __Establishing protected areas__. Establishing protected areas (like national parks and nature reserves) can [help protect biodiversity](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/biodiversity-guide) from harmful land use and human activities, keeping wildlife habitats and animal food resources safe. 4. __Protecting biodiversity__. Biodiversity ensures a healthy overall natural environment. Conservation efforts aimed at biodiversity can be done on a local level (for example, by encouraging native plant growth) or through legislation, like the United States’ Endangered Species Act of 1973. Federal decision making can help keep animals that are on the brink of species extinction from completely dying out. 5. __Hunting restrictions__. Wildlife conservation programs establish laws limiting the time, areas, or animal allotment for hunting and fisheries, which can help reduce the amount of wildlife that are killed every year. 6. __Proper planting__. Making sure you know where your plant seeds come from can help prevent the spread of invasive species, which can devastate indigenous crops, threatening biodiversity. Get the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/) for exclusive access to video lessons taught by masters, including Jane Goodall, Bill Nye, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Paul Krugman, and more. Nature conservation, or conservation ecology, is one of many methods at the forefront of climate change mitigation. By helping conserve our natural resources, we can ensure that generations to come will also have a thriving planet to live and grow on.