A nature conservator can work in a zoo or aquarium caring for animals and presenting educational programs, or as a conservationist protecting wild lands and managing ecosystems. Conservationists may focus on natural resource management, environmental law and policy, or land use planning.
A nature conservator can refer to two different jobs. The first is an individual who works in a zoo, working directly in the care of animals, such as through feeding, cleaning enclosures, and monitoring the animals for signs of distress. This person can also present educational programs to the public. The second type of nature conservator, also known as a conservationist, is one who works to preserve or protect wild lands from development and successfully manage lands to maintain ecosystem health and preserve biodiversity. There are many different jobs in conservation, including natural resource management and land use planning, just to name a few.
The first type of nature conservator, an individual who works in a zoo or aquarium, dedicates his or her career to working with animals. While this type of individual may have received veterinary training, normally he or she will only assist the veterinarian on staff, monitoring the animals; it may be the conservator’s responsibility to inform the veterinarian if he notices a sick or injured animal, for example. Cleaning the cages and feeding the animals may also fit the job description, although many conservators supervise others who perform these tasks. Some will also conduct observational research, such as monitoring breeding or social interactions between zoo animals. A conservator can also prepare educational programs to share with the public.
A conservationist who works to protect the environment is another type of nature conservator. A conservationist may work to protect a particular piece of land or region from any further development, which is called preservation. More commonly, however, conservationists strive to use land responsibly and sustainably, such as maintaining a carefully managed forest for logging purposes. Conservation easements are often used to protect land or to ensure that it is responsibly managed in perpetuity.
Some conservationists will focus more on the fields of environmental law and policy than on natural resource management. They can work to develop new local laws or policies to protect the environment, such as through waterways or pollution regulations. A nature conservator may also work with local governments on land use planning or zoning issues, seeking to balance the need for economic development with the protection of important environmental resources and ecosystems. Some choose to work on government-owned land, such as state or national parks, to educate visitors about the importance of protecting the environment. For people who want to work in this field, there is no shortage of job opportunities.
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