Getting past the vitriol in the current conservation dialogue has become increasingly difficult. Finally, Heather Tallis, Jane Lubchenco and hundreds others have written a commonsense essay that goes beyond the apparent need for confrontation. I was delighted to see several members of Arizona State’s Center for Biodiversity Outcomes as original signatories.
Please read the essay in Nature at: http://www.nature.com/news/working-together-a-call-for-inclusive-conservation-1.16260
You can also sign the petition at: http://blog.nature.org/science/diversity-conservation-petition
michaelschoon 
Posted by Clem on November 18, 2014 at 12:14 pm
Michael:
First timer here – found you through Aaron Redman’s blog.
Thanks for pointing to the commentary piece in Nature. It resonates for me only as a call for civilized discussion and debate. I’m not willing to build some big all inclusive tent where we’d all sit together and sing Kumbaya.
Embracing diverse values and voices – for me reads better as “Consider” diverse…
Being respectful and collegiate are great behaviors for common cause, but I think there has to be some mechanism whereby disputants can air their differences without worry of being cast as obstructionist or contrarian (or worse). And this may well reflect only a matter of scale – not a complete denial of value.
Have you heard or seen Emma Marris’ Rambunctious Garden? I’m curious what others think of her take on conservation in the modern age.
Warm regards,
Clem