Final answer:
It is true that American Colonists in New England showed little concern for natural resource conservation, primarily influenced by European forest management practices that changed the landscape. Their economic practices and the pursuit of development led to significant deforestation and altered ecosystems. The notion of self-sufficiency did not exclude the import and desire for access to foreign markets.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that American Colonists in New England were not concerned about natural resource conservation or protection is largely true. The early colonists brought European ideas about forest management that led to a transformation of the New England landscape. This approach saw the New World as underutilized land, which contrasted with the indigenous practices that were more in harmony with nature. White settlers’ desire for development led to deforestation and the removal of old-growth trees to create wood-built and wood-burning homesteads surrounded by large farm fields. These forestry practices significantly altered the appearance of today's forests.
Contrary to the assertion that colonists were self-sufficient and did not need to import goods from Britain, historical records indicate a complex relationship with the mother country. Although there was a degree of self-sufficiency, the colonies were also part of a broader economy that included the import of goods from Britain and later, a desire for access to foreign markets manifested through the support for a modern navy. The need to balance local needs with economic opportunities often led to decisions that did not prioritize conservation.