Conservation in the 21st Century
The challenge to protect our natural resources and environment in the 21st century was reflected in the words of Sam Hamilton, former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director, when he wrote: “We must act now, as if the future of fish and wildlife and people hangs in the balance – for indeed, all indications are that it does.”
This call to action is in response to the unprecedented changes in land-use and climate. To be successful the conservation community must begin to plan and work at a landscape-level. Even more importantly, we must engage a diversity of partners -- both public and private -- to leverage resources and chart a more sustainable path forward in order to maximize effectiveness and efficiency.