preserve/conserve ancient buildings

[angliholic]

We make efforts to preserve/conserve ancient buildings.
The authority concerned tries every possible way to conserve/preserve local customs.


Do both conserve and preserve work with the above wording? If not, what are the rules of thumb to use one instead of the other? Thanks.

[Anglika]

There is not much difference in meaning. However, conservation often means maintaining and restoring something in order to protect it from damage, and preservation means to keep safe or to keep something alive.

In the first example I feel both can be used, but that in the second "preserve" is the suitable word.

[angliholic]

Thanks, Anglika, for the helpful guideline.

But I still have a hard time in deciding the following the following?

______ one's energy/ ______ natural resource/wildlife
These woods are ______d./ _____ the species from extinction

[Anglika]

Thanks, Anglika, for the helpful guideline.

But I still have a hard time in deciding the following the following?

______ one's energy/ ______ natural resource/wildlife
These woods are ______d./ _____ the species from extinction

It's sometimes hard to decide! This is what I would use:

Conserve one's energy
Conserve natural resources
Conserve wildlife

These woods are preserved
Preserve the species from extinction

[angliholic]

Right on!
Thanks, Anglika, for your correct reply.
But what guides you to the right choices? Is it your gut feeling?