A land ethic, then, reflects the existence of an ecological conscience, and this in turn reflects a conviction of individual responsibility for the health of the land.
Health is the capacity of the land for self-renewal.
Conservation is our effort to understand and preserve this capacity. First, we must never forget the human and the economic dimensions of these problems. Where sound management policies can preserve the health of forest lands , sales should go forward. Second, as we craft a plan, we need to protect the long-term health of our forests , our wildlife and our waterways . Third, our efforts must be, insofar as we are wise enough to know it, scientifically sound, ecologically credible and legally responsible.