What is sustainability and why is it important?  

Sustainability is generally defined as meeting the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is the intersection between three concentric circles: ecology, economy, and society.  

The scope of the concept allows everyone to view sustainability through their own lens or frame of reference. To the ecologist, it means maintaining functioning ecosystems and species in perpetuity. To the environmentalist it means maintaining a clean, healthy and attractive environment. To rural communities it means maintaining a way of life in which agriculture and forestry continue and are economically viable. To the hunter and fisherman it means game and fish now and tomorrow. To the policy maker it means finding a way to have it all . . . a quality environment, vibrant economy, and healthy and productive communities.  

Sustainability is fundamentally a new way of looking at the world in which there is a balance between conflicting demands on natural and human resources. The history of resource use in the United States has been one of over-exploitation:  Exterminating species, damming rivers, over-cutting timber, over-harvesting fish, over-developing landscapes, polluting air and contaminating water, all for short term economic gain. Sustainability means finding a way to accommodate human needs without damaging the environment, even restoring damaged ecosystems so that they function somewhat like they did before being so heavily modified.  

However, the principles of sustainability recognize that environmental goals should strive to be met in a manner that avoids displacing people, threatening social values, or undermines economic well-being.  

Achieving sustainability goals will have broad benefits:  Healthy and productive ecosystems, less contentious natural resource management, more harmonious societies, and rural communities that are able to stay on the land to produce agricultural and forest products. Industries should be able to make products that people need without making excessive demands on resources or producing harmful by-products.