Conservation is an
ethic of resource use, allocation, and protection. Its primary focus is upon maintaining the health of the
natural world, its
fisheries,
habitats, and
biological diversity. Secondary focus is on materials conservation, including
non-renewable resources such as metals, minerals and
fossil fuels, and
energy conservation, which is important to protect the natural world. Those who follow the conservation ethic and, especially, those who advocate or work toward conservation goals are termed
conservationists.