Brilliant minds throughout history have recognized the importance of preserving nature and protecting our beautiful planet. From environmentalists like Rachel Carson to social activists like Nelson Mandela, below are wise words to reflect on for Earth Day and every day.
May these powerful quotes about nature conservation bring you encouragement and inspiration to make positive impacts on the world around you!
In This Article You’ll Find Nature Conservation Quotes About:
- Environmental interdependence
- Making a difference on the environment
- Conserving nature for future generations
- Understanding the value of nature
- Preserving the unique beauty of nature
Quotes on Environmental Interdependence
“The Earth is what we all have in common.”
~ Wendell Berry
“It is our collective and individual responsibility… to preserve and tend to the world in which we all live.” ~ Dalai Lama
“Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man.”
~ Stewart Udall
The sea, the great unifier, is man’s only hope. Now, as never before,
the old phrase has a literal meaning: We are all in the same boat.”
~ Jacques Cousteau
“We the people of the planet Earth,
with respect for the dignity of each human life,
with concern for future generations,
with growing appreciation of our relation to the environment,
with recognition of limits to our resources and with need for adequate food, air, water, shelter, health, protection, justice, and self-fulfillment,
hereby declare our interdependence; and resolve to work together in harmony with our environment to enhance the quality of life everywhere.”
~ Russell Peterson, Declaration of Interdependence, 1973
“The environment is where we all meet, where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share.” ~ Lady Bird Johnson
Quotes About Making a Difference
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
~ Margaret Mead
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.”
~ Jane Goodall
“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” ~ Robert Swan
Conserving Nature for Future Generations Quotes
“And I dream of the vast deserts, the forests, and all of the wilderness of our continent, wild places that we should protect as a precious heritage for our children and for our children’s children. We must never forget that it is our duty to protect this environment.” ~ Nelson Mandela
“When you realize the value of all life you dwell less on what is past and concentrate more on the conservation of the future.” ~ Dian Fossey
“The ultimate test of man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.” ~ Gaylord Nelson
“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”
~ Native American Proverb
Quotes About Understanding the Value of Nature
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.” ~John Muir
“For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.” ~Martin Luther King Jr.
“When the last tree has been cut down,
the last fish caught, the last river poisoned,
only then will we realize that one cannot eat money.”
~Native American Proverb
Preserving the Unique Beauty of Nature Quotes
“Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature—the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” ~ Rachel Carson
“In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they’re still beautiful.” ~ Alice Walker
“I think having land and not ruining it is the most beautiful art that anybody could ever want.”
~Andy Warhol
Final Thoughts
Which of these quotes on nature conservation strike a chord with you? Any favorite nature quotes would you add to this list?
For more inspiring nature quotes, check out Childrens Nature Quotes to Inspire Adventure.