Conserving Land - Why Save Land?

The aim of conserving land is to protect sensitive natural areas such as river valleys, woodland, wetlands, mountains, places rich in flora or fauna or areas of cultural or historic value so that people and biodiversity into the future can enjoy their benefit. There is a growing need to save areas of land from destruction as natural areas and wildlife habitats are being lost to development, industry and urbanisation. It would be wonderful if we could create a network of wildlife corridors throughout Ireland so that nature and wildlife is not isolated in one place but rather can travel throughout the land much the same as we use roads.  

Land Trusts

Different land trusts conserve different types of land. Land trusts can be on international, national or even community levels. Our concern here is the land trust that saves ecological sensitive areas of land or water. The idea is that someone who wants to ensure that his/her land is to be handed on to future generations in its natural condition sells, donates or gifts the ownership of the land to the Land Trust which then protects & conserves it in perpetuity. Alternatively, many people support a Land Trust (like supporting a charity) through subscription, by becoming a member or by volunteering their time to work with the Trust.

Check out the Green Sod Ireland for conserving land in Ireland.

Check out the Irish Peatland Conservation Council for preserving a representative sample of Irish peatlands.

Check out the John Muir Trust for conserving land in the UK.

Check out the Muir Heritage Land Trust for conserving land in California, USA.

Keeping part of your Garden Wild

Not everyone can donate or gift a piece of land to a land trust, but a lot of people can leave a small section of their garden, school or workplace wild for insects such as bees, butterflies, spiders, beetles, ladybirds, dragonflies and damselflies. This will give the land a chance to rest and renew itself, and even benefit the flowers and crops on neighbouring land. You will be surprised at what birds, animals and wild flowers will appear when the land is left alone! Try it!