Wildlife habitats have become people habitats as more people crowd into remaining habitat areas. Habitat conservation means working with the land to provide wildlife with food, cover, water and space where it may not have been previously abundant before. Water developments, rangeland fertilization and seedings as well as prescribed fire are several examples of active habitat conservation activities which benefit wildlife. All the above examples affect one or more habitat components and influence wildlife's use of that habitat. Because habitat is a renewable resource, careful and prudent use of land management tools to include timber harvest, livestock grazing and farming techniques can make lands productive for wildlife while continuing to provide for people's needs as well.
Habitat conservation is a concept built on resource renewability and sustainability.
Wildlife and people can benefit from the concept when we recognize our uniquely human ability to change habitats comes with the responsibility to ensure those habitats will not become less usable over time. Today's challenge is to ensure habitat conservation becomes the driving force in dealing with the future of wildlife populations.