View from above

Aerial shot of Aquidneck Island 

The definition of conservation as defined by dictionary. com is 

con·ser·va·tion

  

1.

the act of conserving;  prevention of injury, decay, waste,or loss; preservation: conservation of wildlife; conservation ofhuman rights.

2.

official supervision of rivers, forests, and other naturalresources in order to preserve and protect them throughprudent management.

3.

a district, river, forest, etc., under such supervision.

4.

the careful utilization of a natural resource in order toprevent depletion.

5.

the restoration and preservation of works of art.

The definition of preservation:

pre·serve

1.

to keep alive or in existence; make lasting: to preserve ourliberties as free citizens.

2.

to keep safe from harm or injury; protect or spare.

3.

to keep up; maintain: to preserve historical monuments.

4.

to keep possession of; retain: to preserve one's composure.

5.

to prepare (food or any perishable substance) so as toresist decomposition or fermentation.

as you can see, the definitions are quite similar. they both mention protection. 

Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land.
Aldo Leopold