INTRODUCTION
The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) is above all else a body of informed public opinion on conservation matters. From time to time we are required to express our opinion either to the public via the media, or amongst our membership. To help formulate our ideas, WESSA seeks advice from eminent professional ecologists and educationists and the guidelines presented in this policy document are based on that advice.

In every organisation of many thousands of members, unanimity on every topic can never be expected. However, the official WESSA viewpoint needs to be established and expressed whenever one is speaking in the name of the Society. Individuals may always add their own emphasis if they wish. In this way this document fulfils its first function which is to ensure the consistency and accuracy of public statements.

The second function of the policy document is to help bring about concerted action. A policy is of no value unless it results in action. With each policy a few suggestions are put forward on how the policy might be put into practice. The suggestions are in no way intended as a constraint. On the contrary it is hoped that they will stimulate many other ideas for effective implementation.

The suggestions are grouped into those which could be undertaken by Regions and Branches, and those which would be more appropriately undertaken by the Society as a whole.

From time to time this policy document will be added to, or particular policies will be amended. In this way we intend to develop a significant document which will greatly assist everyone in the Society to reach our objectives with maximum effect.

Conservation in the modern sense is part of development. It is the management of human use of the biosphere so that it may yield the greatest sustainable benefit to present generations while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations. This action is positive, embracing preservation, maintenance, sustainable utilisation, restoration and enhancement of the natural environment.

The nine principles of the World Conservation Strategy to achieve sustainable living are:

• Respect and care for the community of life.
• Improving the quality of life.
• Conserving the Earth's vitality and diversity.
• Minimize the depletion of non-renewable natural resources.
• Keep within the Earth's carrying capacity.
• Change personal attitudes and practices.
• Enable communities to care for their own environments.
• Provide a national framework to integrate development and conservation.
• Forge a global alliance.

Species are the building blocks of the ecosystems that support life on Earth. These ecosystems provide humans with natural resources and have the capacity to absorb some of the pollution resulting from our civilisation. Modern technologies, capital investments, infrastructure, social organisation, etc. can enhance or deplete these life-support systems.

Only sound management of human activities can ensure that biological resources not only survive, but increase while they are being used and continue to support the ecosystems of which they comprise a part.

Until recently the conservation movement was led by naturalists. However, the problems of conservation are not just biological. They are also political, economic, social, even ethical. While biology can help to guide decisions on how land could best be used to achieve conservation objectives, the social, political, economic and technological factors also enter into decision making.

The challenge is for modern conservationists to inform themselves and stimulate activism in all these spheres to achieve conservation objectives.

AN ETHICAL BASIS FOR CONSERVATION
The world is an interdependent whole made up of natural and human communities. The well-being and health of any one part depends upon the well-being and health of the other parts.

Humans are part of nature, and we are subject to the same unchanging ecological laws as all other species on the planet. All life depends on the uninterrupted functioning of natural systems that ensure the supply of energy and nutrients, so ecological responsibility among all people is necessary for the survival, security, equity and dignity of the world's communities.

Human culture must be built upon a profound respect for nature, a sense of being at one with nature and a recognition that human affairs must be in harmony and balance with nature.

The ecological limits we must work within are not limits to human endeavour; instead, they give direction and guidance on how human affairs can sustain environmental stability and diversity.

All species have an inherent right to exist. The ecological processes that support the integrity of the biosphere and its many species, landscapes and habitats are to be maintained. Similarly, the full range of human culture adaptations to local environments can prosper.

Sustainability is the basic principle of all social and economic development. Personal and social values should be chosen to accentuate the richness of flora, fauna and human experience. This moral foundation will help to ensure that the many values of nature (for food, health, science, technology, industry and recreation) can be equitably distributed and sustained for future generations.

The well-being of future generations is a social responsibility of the present generation. Therefore, the present generation should limit its consumption of non-renewable resources to the level that is necessary to meet the basic needs of society.

All persons must be empowered to exercise responsibility for their own lives and for the life of the earth. They must therefore have full access to education, political enfranchisement and sustaining livelihoods.

Variety in ethical and cultural outlooks toward nature and human life is to be encouraged by promoting relationships that respect and enhance the diversity of life, irrespective of the political, economic, or religious ideology dominant in a society.

CONSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS
Under Section 24 of the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa as adopted on the 8 May 1996:
Everyone has the right-

• to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and
• to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations
  through reasonable legislative and other measures that :
• prevent pollution and ecological degradation,
• promote conservation, and
• secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development.

Note:
From time to time policies will be amended or new polices added.