I know a certain American astronomer able to gain the confidence of
many biologists and cp authorities, who have shared locality
info with him. :-) Perhaps it has more to do with communication skills
than credentials?
> On several occasions I have tried, without success, to convince rangers to
> allow me to "stray from the path" to visit an area that I thought might
> contain CP. Presumably a degree in entomology would have enabled me to
> trample as many D. adelae as I desired.
Here in the USA it is quite possible to go off the path in most public
lands. Straying is not encouraged, but we are not reqired to be accompanied
by a ranger when walking the trails. If fact, rangers are rarely
encountered on the "back trails". They usually stay around the campgrounds,
facilities, and the nearby trails. This is also about as far as most
park visitors venture. Controls are stricter in some of the more
heavy-use parks, and where off-trail ventures are dangerous. Phoenix
was considering an ordinance against going off the trail in South Mountain,
a small mountain encircled by the city, and heavily used by hikers,
joggers, and mountain-bikers. Reason was that off-trail use compacted
the soil, destroyed vegetaion, and caused erosion.
I saw a slide presentation given by someone who recently visted western
Australia. She mentioned a park which had an infestation of a plant
pathogen in the soil (Phytophthora?). To get into and out of this park,
visitors were required to walk through a building with a chemical
foot-wash to prevent spread of the pathogen. Nothing like that in
the USA!
Michael Chamberland