Distinguished artist beginning to engage conservationists (7)
I believe the answer is:
eminent
'distinguished' is the definition.
('eminent' can be a synonym of 'distinguished')
'artist beginning to engage conservationists' is the wordplay.
'artist' becomes 'emin' (I've seen this before**).
'beginning to' says to take the initial letters.
'conservationists' becomes 'nt' (abbreviation for National Trust).
The first letter of 'engage' is 'e'.
'emin'+'e'+'nt'='EMINENT'
(Other definitions for eminent that I've seen before include "Respected; outstanding" , "Exalted in rank" , "Respected; notable" , "Famous and admired" , "Noted" .)