NATURE CONSERVATION: ESSEX 85
Nature Conservation, with Special Reference to
Essex
By T. H. C. Bartrop, F.R.S.H.*
The subject of nature conservation is one which has recently
received much publicity—and not only in this country. The
movement is now gaining momentum, but to many places it has
come too late to save a number of species of the flora and fauna
and their habitats. It is far too easy to become emotional when
discussing this subject, but the true conservationist must base
his case on sound, scientific knowledge and put it forward in a
sane and balanced manner.
The problems involved in maintaining this sane and balanced
outlook are, however, not solely county, regional or even national
in scope. They are also international. At the 1961 Arusha
Conference, held under the auspices of the International Union
for the Conservation of Nature, the theme was the conservation
of African wildlife and natural resources. It will be remembered
as the occasion when the first official declaration in favour of wild-
life conservation was made by any government in the world. This
manifesto from the host country, Tanganyika, declared, "The
survival of our wildlife is a matter of grave concern to all of us
in Africa. These wild creatures amid the wild places they inhabit
are not only important as a source of wonder and inspiration
but are an integral part of our natural resources and of our future
livelihood and well-being. In accepting the trusteeship of our
wildlife, we solemnly declare that we will do everything in our
power to make sure that our children's grandchildren will be able
to enjoy this rich and precious inheritance. The conservation of
wildlife and wild places calls for specialist knowledge, trained man-
power and money, and we look to other nations to co-operate in
this important task—the success or failure of which not only
affects the continent of Africa but the rest of the world as well".
This was signed by the Prime Minister, Mr. Nyerere, and his
Ministers for Legal Affairs and for Lands and Surveys.
In the same year, The World Wildlife Fund, under the patron-
age of H.R.H. The Prince of the Netherlands, was launched to
raise at least half-a-million pounds a year to save the wildlife of
the world.
In our own country, the problems facing the nature conserva-
tionist were excellently stated in the 1959 publication of The
Nature Conservancy entitled, "The First Ten Years". "Our
country, as we used to know it, is vanishing before our eyes. We
see its coasts and fields chosen as sites for houses and power
*Presidential Address delivered 23rd March 1963.