Responding to the World Conservation Strategy

Summary The nature, achievements and shortcomings of the World Conservation Strategy (WCS) are reviewed. In particular, the National Conservation Strategies (NCS) prepared in response to WCS are discussed, and the differences between developed and less developed countries are noted in this respect. Special attention is paid to the UK follow-up. It is concluded that more emphasis must be placed on popularizing WCS and on acquiring a more balanced appreciation of conservation.Dr Paul Selman is lecturer in Environmental Management at the University of Stirling. He holds qualifications in environmental science and town planning from East Anglia, Heriot-Watt and Stirling Universities, and has worked as a local authority planner as well as in higher education. He has published extensively on the interface between planning and ecology.