Conservation

Definition:


Preservation or restoration from loss, damage, or neglect


We all know what conservation means. There are so many organisations devoted to the cause of conservation, each of them with a different target from rhinos to insects. Overall the act of conservation is a positive one, the aim is noble – to protect and preserve that which is valuable.


But what are the pre-requisites to conservation? First of all the object we would like to conserve must not be extinct. It is too late to start a conservation project for the Dodo – once the object of conservation has vanished, no money or action will be able to bring it back.


Secondly, that which we would like to conserve needs to be precious and valuable. I have not come across a weed conservation program. Weeds are simply not useful to use, we do not see any value in it.


Thirdly, it must be a scarce resource. Conservation efforts usually aim at the things which are not found in abundance. Driving through the Kruger National Park one comes across efforts to protect rhinos, wild dogs, cheetahs, ground hornbills – to name a few. The impala though does not fall into that category – understandably, because you find them behind every bush.

Looking at these pre-requisites I realised that there are many people and things in my own life which needs conservation. Take the precious relationships in my life for example. Any relationship meets all three pre-requisites needed for conservations. A relationship exists willingly, but can become extinct. We all have precious relationships and every relationship being a unique interaction between two people is a scarce resource. Thus, every relationship needs constant conservation.


Conservation of relationships can come in many formats. It comes through quality time spent with the person, through prayer for the relationship, through listening, being there for the other person.


We sometimes only realise too late that we should have conserved the things that are precious to us.


It is so easy to focus on the impalas around us – those things that are in abundance, requires our attention, but is not going to change our lives.


The trick is to spot the leopards and the rhinos in our lives, and work actively every day to keep them alive.


So, get those binoculars out. Re-evaluate your life and find out what is truly important and needs to conservation efforts.