Final answer:
Conservation in environmentalism is the preservation of natural resources for future generations, with early proponents like John Muir and Rachel Carson highlighting its importance. Aldo Leopold also contributed significantly to the movement by promoting a broader view of land as biota.
Step-by-step explanation:
Conservation, as it applies to environmentalism, is best described as the preservation and protection of land and other natural resources for the enjoyment by future generations. This concept aligns with early conservation efforts to preserve natural ecosystems for parks or wilderness areas. The key figures in this movement, like John Muir, emphasized the majesty of nature, while Rachel Carson highlighted the dangers of pesticides, advocating for sustainable practices that do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Conservation also involves the classification and treatment of land as biota with a broader function than mere economic utility, as conceptualized by Aldo Leopold, emphasizing the intrinsic value of all parts of the natural world.