What does it mean to be a conservationist? Certainly, one could argue that the people interested in saving the Shaker Lakes are conservationists. After all, preserving the lakes created by old industrial dams and their subsequently repurposed scenic lakes can definitely be considered as conserving a landmark, much like saving a historical building or monument. But in an environmental or natural sense, conservation means something entirely different. In fact, someone like myself who approaches conservation through an environmental lens is completely opposed to saving the dams and their resultant lakes. Environmental conservationists are interested in ensuring that native wildlife and their habitats are protected, preserved and re-established using science-based sustainable management practices.