conservationist

American  

[kon-ser-vey-shuh-nist] / ˌkɒn sərˈveɪ ʃə nɪst /

noun

1. a person who advocates or promotes conservation, especially of natural resources.

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conservationist British  

/ ˌkɒnsəˈveɪʃənɪst /

noun

1. a person who advocates or strongly promotes preservation and careful management of natural resources and of the environment

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Other Word Forms

• anticonservationist noun
• proconservationist adjective

Etymology

Origin of conservationist

First recorded in 1865–70; conservation + -ist

Compare meaning

How does conservationist compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• conservationist vs. environmentalist

Example Sentences

The world's top wildlife trade organisation increased protections on Friday for more than 70 species of sharks and rays, in a move conservationists hailed as a "historical win".

From Barron's

The legal battle takes place as conservationists are increasingly worried about the health of the 580-square-mile reserve.

From The Wall Street Journal

Wolves’ recovery is celebrated by conservationists who want to see the native animals thrive.

From Los Angeles Times

Wildcats – one of the UK's most critically endangered mammals – could make a return from extinction in England, conservationists say.

From BBC

Such relocations are a last resort when human activities or climate change threaten the survival of wildlife or peaceful coexistence with humans, say conservationists.

From Barron's

Related Words

• environmentalist