North American Wildlife Conservation Model (cont’d)

The model is built around seven guiding principles:

1. Public Trust
2. Prohibition on Commerce of Dead Wildlife (market hunting).
3. Democratic Rule of Law.
4. Hunting Opportunity for All.
5. Non-frivolous Use.
6. International Resources.
7. Scientific Management.

These seven principles conceived over 100 years ago underpin all of our modern day wildlife management and conservation laws, and guide the conservation ethics of all users of our wildlife resources. As we dig deeper you will see how these principles provide for the unbiased use and conservation of all North American wildlife and their habitat.

Shane http://www.conservationforce.org/directorsmahoney.html speaks eloquently and passionately as he discusses the “Seven Sisters (or Pillars)” of the wildlife model. So let’s examine each principle in more detail.

1 Public Trust

Because ownership of wildlife in North America is for the most part vested in various levels of government – who were elected as the direct representatives of you and me (the public) – all residents have a right to unfettered access to, and enjoyment of, wildlife.

The principle of “public trust” was adopted to ensure that wildlife on the North American continent did not fall into private ownership as was the tradition in most of Europe. In Europe most of the land and wildlife was (and often still is) owned by the aristocracy or very affluent. The average person was denied the right to hunt, fish, or even to enjoy the presence of wildlife.

I guess this denial of access to the public did serve as a form of conservation, but our forefathers were determined to establish a model that would ensure access to all.

2 Prohibition on Commerce of Dead Wildlife

Uncontrolled market hunting fueled by an insatiable public appetite for wild game is what, more than any other single factor, nearly led to the eradication of many wildlife species on the North American continent.

The adoption of stringent conservation laws, including the banning of “market hunting” ensured survival of the many wildlife species we enjoy today.

This series will be continued and is proudly brought to you by www.distinctnorthernart.com . Visit us and browse our wide variety of original wildlife art and etched glass wildlife mirrors.