Conservation is central to a mix of interconnected ideas that engage with civic life through neighbourhood issues of sustainability, such as preserving built heritage, enhancing biodiversity, and maintaining social well-being.  In this broad environmental context, local conservation management is about engaging people in long-term plans for combating neighbourhood crime, saving energy and promoting healthy living, as much as maintaining biodiversity. 

This is the perspective of the UK Sustainability Strategy.  It envisaged the establishment of a network of communities linked in a Citizen’s Environmental Network to boost neighbourhood action and spread good ideas and practices.  But the idea was not followed through. 

The only up and running community wildlife network available for evaluation is the ‘Community Wildlife Habitat’ scheme promoted by the National Wildlife Federation of the U.S.A.  The participants undertake to provide habitats for wildlife throughout the community; in home gardens, school grounds and public areas, such as parks, community gardens, places of worship and businesses. Residents make it a priority to sustain wildlife by providing the four basic elements of food, water, cover and places to raise young.

The community also educates its residents about sustainable gardening practices such as reducing or eliminating chemical fertilizers and pesticides, conserving water, planting native plants, and removing invasive plants. It hosts workshops about gardening for wildlife, and holds community events such as stream or footpath cleanups to make the community healthier for wildlife and people alike.  Points are collected in a national system of certification designed to reward outstanding effort.