Nature Conservation: A Six Principles Anthology Book

Nature Conservation: A Six Principles Anthology Book by Charlie Botting is one of the books in our Six Principle Anthology series which share blog stories written by Trails to Empowerment community members, guests, volunteers and students. Focusing on one of the Six Principles, Nature Conservation, this book shares stories about the experiences and mindsets that help us become more empowered.

All of our Six Principles are a holistic concept as each principle is essential for every other principle. With Nature Conservation, when we are out in the field working on conservation projects, we become more conscious and aware of the world around us, and so feel more connected to it. We feel empowered and become more self-sufficient by contributing to meaningful projects. We also learn new skills such as how to complete a wildlife population count that contribute to our personal development.

The book discusses the concepts we apply to nature conservation, such as reciprocity with the land, working to achieve the maximum potential wildlife population for the habitat’s carrying capacity and getting everyone involved in the responsibility of conservation. We apply a working conservation landscape concept to our work, meaning that human activities such as guiding, logging, hunting, fishing, mining and other activities aren’t prohibited from the Chilcotin Ark, but become part of the process that inspires people to care about and so protect the area.

We also operate on the principle of participatory action research. We don’t just collect data that is then put on a shelf and forgotten about. The data we collect is used to influence wildlife management and shared with government biologists or other relevant parties to help with the conservation of the Chilcotin Ark.

We have three different levels of conservation work, and all of these are described throughout the book. On-the-ground work includes wildlife population counts, invasive species removal, data collection and education of public users and our own guests about conservation in the area.

At a mid-level, we work with other stakeholders in the area, such as logging companies to help identify priority logging roads to deactivate after logging is finished. By deactivating roads in key mule deer winter range, human access is limited and deer don’t become displaced from the area by too much human activity.

On a high level, we have created eleven land plans for the management of each watershed in the Chilcotin Ark These all draw all their information from government data including land and resource management plans, studies and regulations. We also work with tourism associations to increase the profile of the Chilcotin Ark and its conservation needs. As an operator in the area, we receive referrals when other operators want to start, change or expand a business venture in the area. We look at these from a conservation perspective, such as if the impact on wildlife and ecosystems have been considered by increasing aircraft use in the area, or unintended consequences of opening up a new trail.

The Chilcotin Ark is an internationally ecologically important area so we share blog stories about the ecosystem and wildlife, as well as details about our roles in conserving it, including specific species population counts for mountain goats and California Bighorn sheep, educating our guests and collecting grizzly hair.

White bark pine is endangered in much of Canada, but it thrives in the Chilcotin Ark, so we share several stories about its importance and how we help conserve it, such as by collecting cones. In the winter, we shell the pinecones and collect the nuts which are sent to nurseries so the nuts can be propagated and planted in other areas of Canada where the white bark pine isn’t so healthy. The white bark pinecones provide essential food for Clark’s nutcrackers, squirrels and grizzly bears so helping to grow these trees, helps more than just the white bark pine.

We also include some reviews from government, tourism associations and conservation principles and how we apply these in our conservation work.

Nature Conservation: A Six Principles Anthology Book is available in paperback and ebook on our partner, Fortress Books and Web’s website here.

Want to learn more about Nature Conservation with an online course? Our Nature Conservation online course with our online training partner, the Institute for Human Potential, will introduce you to nature conservation and how to apply it in your life. Sign up here.

Want to make your contribution to conservation? Join us as a conservation volunteer or university practicum student to make your contribution to the Chilcotin Ark. Find out more about the Chilcotin Ark Institute’s opportunities to get involved here.

Find more recommended books from the Trails to Empowerment community here.