: I think you're misinterpreting the conservation movement. This goes way back
: to people like past American President Theodore Roosevelt...conservation
: and responsible management of our natural resources. Not strict
: preservation and total non-use of resource; not widespread raping and
: pillaging either.

: You're recycling materials in your home. You're saving strips to enjoy
: cooking marshmallows instead of dumping them in the landfill. You are a
: responsible steward of our natural resources. You are a conservationist.

: I am a passionate conservationist. I am not an environmentalist. I wish to do
: my part and make as small of impact on this planet as possible. I do
: however, wish to live in the present, and acknowledge that I do make an
: impact...I just try to make as small of impact as possible. I also would
: hope that others feel the same way; however unlike radical
: environmentalists, I won't tilt at big windmills while living in irony.
: Some truly walk the walk--but they are few.

: Shawn

Shawn,

Too add to what you are saying: it seems to me that there is a gray area between the two definitions. Environmentalists praise conservation while seeking to reduce or eliminate environmental impact. The concept of responsible management changes with each generation as definitions are redefined and thus becomes relative to the times. I conserve, yes and I am somewhat of an environmentalist but not so much so that I will stare down polluters or wasters. I quietly try to teach my children the way to live without frivilous waste and unnecessary polluting. I also realize that no matter what I do, I will pollute and I will use dwindling resources. I suppose those raving enviromentalists allow us to put our own efforts into perspective so that, in the end, we become better conservationalists. I was thinking about responsibility earlier today and realized that by rebuilding my broken kayak I am continuing to support the concept of responsible stewardship with our natural resources.

Robert N Pruden