A recurring theme of the discussions this semester is the “grand vision” for conservation. It first arose in our discussion of the Pleistocene re-wilding controversy. The advocates of re-wilding propose it as a progressive vision, moving beyond a triage approach to conservation. Some of us found these authors’ particular vision exciting or refreshing, and others found it absurd or even dangerous. But we all seemed in agreement that some kind of progressive vision is needed in conservation biology.
Sandy Haire proposed that each weeks’ discussion address this big picture in relation to the reading. Please read her comment:
https://websites.umass.edu/pswarren/2007/11/01/readings-105-another-controversy/
In the meantime, here’s a link to The Nature Conservancy’s take on this question. Six experts were asked about the “next big ideas” in conservation: