Conservation Biology and Four Types of Advocacy

• Published in: Conservation biology Vol. 21; no. 1; pp. 21 - 24
• Main Authors: BRUSSARD, PETER F., TULL, JOHN C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.02.2007; Blackwell Science; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Biodiversity conservation; Children; Communication; Conservation biology; Conservation Focus: Policy Advocacy and Conservation Science; Conservation movement; Conservation of Natural Resources - methods; Conservation of Natural Resources - trends; Consumer Advocacy - classification; Ecological economics; Economic value; Ecosystem; Ecosystem services; Ecosystems; Nature conservation; Research Personnel; Wildlife conservation
• ISSN: 0888-8892; 1523-1739
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2006.00640.x

Various aspects related to the conservation biology and four types of advocacy are analyzed. Conservation biologists are most effective when they do research of interest to management, are willing to inform policy decisions, and clearly distinguish among data, informed speculation, and opinion. Professional advocacy involves informing policy makers, managers, and the public about issues that arise in one's area of expertise. Logically, increasing scientific knowledge might be a reasonable objective for promoting grater public interest in conserving natural resources. Although largely focused on the evolution-creation conflict, its Reports, published bimonthly, is a rich source of information on the use and misuse of scientific inference.