Re: CP Conservation
Michael.Chamberland (23274MJC@MSU.EDU)
Tue, 26 Nov 96 12:45 EST
> From: L235@aol.com
>
> >I am not entirely convinced by this call for trust, since it seems
> >to be a one-way request (ie. hobbyists asking to be entrusted with
> >locality data). What do the hobbyists offer to conservationists?
>
> Ouch! I believe Michael to be a thoughtful and well-reasoned writer, but I
> can't help but bristle at these kinds of comments. I believe that EACH
> category (hobbyist and conservationist) has something to offer the other. Wh
> constitutes the vast bulk of most conservation organizations? Committed
> volunteers. Who often carries out the conservation work (population and site
> surveys, relocation and propagation efforts, etc.)? Committed volunteers.
> After a tour of the Atlanta Botanical Garden's CP collection, and a
> discussion of their CP (and other rare plant) rescue and relocation efforts
> (BTW, thank you, Ron, David and Steve) Who was credited with doing at least
> portion of the work of micropropagation and general plant-tending? Committed
> volunteers.
> Granted, these are committed volunteers working for (with) a coordinating
> organization .. and that's how it should be, in my mind (at least an attempt
> to avoid this dreaded vigilante conservation I hear about <grin>).
Jay, yes this is the answer I wanted to hear! I wanted someone to explain
how hobbyists could help conservationists, and you've did it! I didn't
want to explain it myself, I wanted someone esle to. And I imagine that
these volunteers are working because they want to be involved, not because
they expect to be "payed" with access to locality data :-)
Michael Chamberland