What Concerned Behavioral Ecologists (and anyone else) Can Do

A few months ago I read a paper titled “Behavioral Ecology Under Threat” by two researchers (Tim Caro and Paul Sherman (2011)) who wanted to examine what the study of behavior could do for conservation.  It is a worthy goal, and the benefits to each area of study from the other seems to be largely overlooked by many in these fields.  My favorite part of this paper was a list that the authors compiled of things behavioral ecologists could do to aid in the conservation of the natural world.  They divided the list into general areas of ideas.  They do not suggest that any one person do everything on the whole list, but they do recommend people to think about the whole list and do as many as they reasonably can.  As I read their list, it occurred to me that it did not just apply to behavioral ecologists, but to anyone who is concerned about health and preservation of the ecosystems in which we live.  For this reason, I am sharing the list from Caro and Sherman (2011), in edited form, here with you.  The complete list can be found in Box 3 of their paper.  As you read over this list, some of the items will apply to each person differently.  As they do, I am recommending that each of us think about the whole list, but don’t think that any one person will have to do everything, just as much as they reasonably can.

Research:

1) Specifically gather data to address the conservation and management of a species of interest and its habitat.

2) Contact local, state, and national wildlife officials and offer assistance.

3) Work with local reserve officials in a practical sense such as volunteering on clean-up days.

Education:

1) Contact local middle- and high-school superintendents, biology department heads, and teachers to see if you can give classroom presentations of science, biology or conservation.

2) Contact national and regional conservation organizations (The Nature Conservancy, The Audubon Society, etc.) and offer to give presentations or lead nature walks.

3) Help raise funds for science be it in the form of local parks, conservation NGOs, or wildlife education organizations.

Politics:

1) Acquaint local politicians with the unique habitats and organisms that are found in their home districts., and provide information that can be used to make sound policies.

2) Lobby granting organizations for new research grants that will provide data that could aid in the conservation of wildlife habitats.

Activism:

1) Get involved in regional, national, and international attempts to save a species or taxa that is of interest to you.

2) Network with others who share your concerns and join, or create, a committee that will develop species or habitat conservation plans.

3) Set up an endowment, however small, that is dedicated to awarding funds to researchers who specifically incorporate conservation into their work.

4) Write blog posts or newspaper or magazine articles about conservation issues and what biologists, and others, can do to preserve the natural world for future generations.

So, what are you doing?