1 WHAT IS CONSERVATION? Pratt Brook near Tumble Down Mountain, Maine Elbridge Cleaves Woodie Wheaton Land Trust April 2012

A Product of the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust Center Outreach 2 Conservation is the careful management of our natural resources and the environment for the benefit of both current and future generations. Paper Birch stand near Caucomgomac Lake, Maine

A Product of the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust Center Outreach 3 Careful Management may include Protection, Preservation and/or Restoration; but always Stewardship The Alaska Range, Delta River Valley Alaska WE KNOW Natural Resources are things found in nature that are valuable to humans; The Environment is our entire surroundings BUT WHAT IS CAREFUL MANAGEMENT?

A Product of the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust Center Outreach 4 Protection is preventing something from being harmed or damaged Recent Wildfire Yukon Territory Canada

A Product of the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust Center Outreach 5 Preservation is keeping what we have Kidney Pond and Camps-Baxter State Park Maine

A Product of the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust Center Outreach 6 Restoration is bringing something back to a healthy condition Emeralda marsh, Lake County Florida Years ago 7,000 acres of marsh were changed to farmland by draining surface water directly into the surrounding lakes. Those farmlands were productive but caused serious environmental damage. Restoring farmland back to wetlands allows the marsh to again act as a natural filter, greatly improving water quality, wildlife habitat, and fisheries. Eutrophication Millions in restoration costs Improved water quality, wildlife habitat and fisheries

A Product of the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust Center Outreach 7 Stewardship is the careful And responsible use of something entrusted to one's care. Nesowadnehunk Lake TNC Conservation Easement Piscataquis County, Maine

A Product of the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust Center Outreach 8 BRIEF REVIEW Conservation Involves Careful Management May include one or all of Protection Preservation Restoration But always includes Stewardship Our Natural Resources and the Environment Domjek River—Kluane/St. Elias Range—Yukon Territory But what about People?

A Product of the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust Center Outreach 9 Most Importantly Conservation Involves People Like You and Me Being A conservationist right here at home ! East Grand Lake

A Product of the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust Center Outreach 10 CONSERVATIONISTS CARE ABOUT  Keeping the outdoors and roadsides free of trash and debris  Saving energy: turning off excess lights; using less gasoline  Conserving water: when brushing teeth—taking shorter showers  Recycling whenever possible  Reducing wasteful use of things made from natural resources  Sharing and handing down books  Respecting our fisheries and wildlife; including laws & regulations  Being a responsible user of the outdoors and of the environment  Remembering and preserving our outdoor heritage  Sustaining communities whose future depends upon natural resources  Doing our part to help make a better place for us and for others You see it’s really just a way of life-it’s not being a fanatic! Baskahegan Lake Brookton Twp. Maine

A Product of the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust Center Outreach 11 So the answer to “What is Conservation?” is each of us doing our part to help meet our needs and those of the future while taking good care of the environment and of the natural resources that we all enjoy and depend upon. That is Conservation. Pass it on! Bracket Lake Weston, Maine

A Product of the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust Center Outreach THE Woodie Wheaton Land Trust Forest City, Maine “TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE LANDS AND WATERS IN THE CHIPUTNETICOOK LAKES REGION OF MAINE AND NEW BRUNSWICK” Land trust center Conservation education We care deeply about the outdoors: Hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing, or just visiting the natural world; Many area livelihoods depend upon our forests and waters. People who share these concerns help ensure all those benefits will be there for current and future generations. Photo By Robert Ellis