You know, I was going to post a message about "conservation through commercialization" about a week ago but decided not to for one reason or another. I certainly remember Tom's pricelists with the banner at the top/bottom. I also certainly believe in it.



Last night, a ten minute airing on 20/20 featured a man who was the head of a group called PERC (www.perc.org)followed the same

philosophy, except their catch phrase is "improving environmental quality through markets". John Stossel was giving the interview and I again thought back to "conservation through commercialization". They pointed out how some of the larger African land mammals have actually started to make a comeback when there is a commercial incentive for the local people.

John then interviewed a woman who was the spokesperson/head of conservation international who flatly refused to believe in that type of strategy even when it was pointed out that CI's programs have had some dismal failures with their own approach (in the

case of trying to save tigers). It is so frustrating to see an approachable and potentially successful strategy, only to have it blindly dismissed by people who are so set in their ways. When there is a doller to be made, whether it is by a native caretaker or herp entrepreneur, success is more likely to occur than an approach that does nothing than ensure failure....



Swiss

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