MONTGOMERY-The words “preservation” and “conservation” are often used interchangeably. This may be because the term “preserve” is often associated with food, as in preserving food through canning or freezing. Sometimes landowners assign the name preserve to the family land that they hunt, fish and use for recreation. Let’s look a little closer at the true meaning of the word preservation.
In land management, preserve means to leave the land untouched with no 
management. However, even that will bring about change. The choice to leave something alone and let nature take its course brings about change. A cleared field, through natural succession, will grow a shrub layer pretty quickly and, left alone, will become a forest in just a few years. An old growth forest will begin to die a little at a time. As trees mature, they become susceptible to wind, pests or disease, and will eventually die and fall to the ground. Seed from the forest plants, now exposed to sunlight and with more abundant water and mineral resources, will sprout and the natural cycle will begin all over again. So, you see, there is no such thing as “preservation” in the strictest sense of the word. Often, those who manage a piece of land to sustain certain aspects of it may not be making use of the resources, but they are still conserving the merits of the land that they judge important.
“Conservation,” by definition, is the wise use of our natural resources. Our world is in a constant state of change. Man is always making some modification to the environment. An increasing number of people are moving out of the cities to suburban and urban areas. As a result, more natural habitat is being converted from forest, fields and wetlands to home sites, shopping malls and office complexes. Without conservation efforts, many of our natural resources would be lost. Both forests and wildlife resources can be conserved with proper planning and practices.
Those interested in wildlife may utilize a conservation plan to make wise use of that resource. Utilizing the art and science of wildlife management is necessary to help keep wildlife populations balanced within the habitat. One example of an animal in need of management is the white-tailed deer. Without the benefit of hunting, the prolific deer would soon deplete the natural browse and food sources. Deer looking for alternate food sources would destroy crops, ornamentals and gardens. Not only that, but deer health would decline and disease and vehicle collisions would increase. Without intervention, there eventually could be a large die-off of deer and a reduction in the population
Non-game animals like songbirds also need to be conserved. They require protection and habitat management for their populations to be sustained at healthy levels. Many land management practices that benefit game animals also benefit other populations of less prolific non-game animals. Practices like prescribed burning, timber thinning and small clearcuts that are maintained as forest openings may conserve and enhance habitats for deer, quail and turkey populations, but also populations of gopher tortoises, woodpeckers and songbirds.
Before undertaking conservation practices on your land, seek out the wisdom of other landowners, resource professionals and wildlife managers to develop a plan that will best help achieve your conservation goals. Remember, preservation is virtually impossible because change is inevitable. With proper planning, you can guide change in a way that benefits both yourself and the resource. For more information on conservation, contact Bruce Todd, Certified Wildlife Biologist, Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, 30571 Five Rivers Boulevard, Spanish Fort, AL 36527; phone 251-626-5474.
