A large YES to this: "Compassionate conservation represents a paradigm shift - a unifying "Theory of Everything" that has the potential to transform how we engage with the natural world. " This and your sixth unifying principle of "stewardship" where the focus is on serving rather than exploiting, on saving rather than spending, of what my Dad gave to me years ago which was "remember always to put in more than you take out." We've been taking for too long without giving back and now we''re paying a hefty price looking at, and enduring the climate crises. I am currently reading, or walking my way through, "Hospicing Modernity: Parting With Harmful Ways of Living" by Vanessa Machado de Oliveira. I am liking it and not liking it but will continue reading, and learning.
Compassionate Conservation makes perfect sense to me. Ed, have you heard if academic institutes/universities are teaching these concepts in related fields such as biologists, wildlife conservationists, environmental scientists, etc?
Hi Yvonne, compassionate conservation is a contentious and evolving field within academia, not yet well respected. Currently, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) (Australia) champions compassionate conservation through its Centre for Compassionate Conservation. There are a growing number of CC biologists like Marc Beckhoff in the US.
Wonderfully written essay; “compassionate conservation” would protect my animal sentient being friends from the horrors of culling to preserve some human need to control the size of the populations of deer for example in my area where regular hunting days are authorized by the State for the shooting of a selected enormous number of these wonderful creatures for the good of the herd? Quiet, lovely creatures, harming no one, pass by my window where the concrete has taken over so very much of their habitat, they stop at my patio window and allow me to appreciate their extraordinary beauty, munch on the weeds overtaking my less than pristeenly groomed lawn, only to be offered up to state sanctioned days of hunting, when huge numbers become the trophies of hunters who say they are used for food. Sadly, they are often seen as road kill so there is the danger to deer and human in that all too common scenario.
The hypocrisy is then noted on Facebook where animal rescue organizations seek funding for vet care for single animals injured beyond salvation found at the side of the road suffering in pain and shock at their situation; thousands of dollars expended to make them whole again to be shot, if they survive the days, weeks of surgical and other interventions imposed by “caring” humans. Why not end their suffering immediately with euthanasia and put those dollars to work on compassionate conservation policies?
Thank you, Judith, for your thoughtful response and for sharing your observations about the impact of traditional wildlife management practices. Your experiences and reflections beautifully illustrate the need for compassionate conservation. The quiet presence of deer in your area, and the harsh realities they face, highlight the importance of rethinking our approach to coexistence. Your support and empathy for these sentient beings reinforce the essence of compassionate conservation, which seeks to protect and respect all life. Thank you for contributing to this important dialogue.
I understand that humans like program labels like Compassionate Conservation. I am not a big fan of orogram labels, but if it can change entrenched and lazy thinking-- i.e., the Garden of Eden mindset and the need to subdue and dominate--so be it.
The main message is that Humans are not superor. We share the Earth with all species. Less Hubris; More Humility.
Thank you, Perry, I appreciate your insights on the importance of shifting our thinking away from a traditional mindset towards a more humble and inclusive approach. Indeed, less hubris and more humility can help lead us to better stewardship of our planet. Thank you for contributing to this important conversation.
A large YES to this: "Compassionate conservation represents a paradigm shift - a unifying "Theory of Everything" that has the potential to transform how we engage with the natural world. " This and your sixth unifying principle of "stewardship" where the focus is on serving rather than exploiting, on saving rather than spending, of what my Dad gave to me years ago which was "remember always to put in more than you take out." We've been taking for too long without giving back and now we''re paying a hefty price looking at, and enduring the climate crises. I am currently reading, or walking my way through, "Hospicing Modernity: Parting With Harmful Ways of Living" by Vanessa Machado de Oliveira. I am liking it and not liking it but will continue reading, and learning.
That's part of our journey, Gary, stay open and keep on learning...
Learning best when it leads to action.
Compassionate Conservation makes perfect sense to me. Ed, have you heard if academic institutes/universities are teaching these concepts in related fields such as biologists, wildlife conservationists, environmental scientists, etc?
Hi Yvonne, compassionate conservation is a contentious and evolving field within academia, not yet well respected. Currently, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) (Australia) champions compassionate conservation through its Centre for Compassionate Conservation. There are a growing number of CC biologists like Marc Beckhoff in the US.
Just researched Marc B…..checked out two of his books to read….he is very impressive!
Wonderfully written essay; “compassionate conservation” would protect my animal sentient being friends from the horrors of culling to preserve some human need to control the size of the populations of deer for example in my area where regular hunting days are authorized by the State for the shooting of a selected enormous number of these wonderful creatures for the good of the herd? Quiet, lovely creatures, harming no one, pass by my window where the concrete has taken over so very much of their habitat, they stop at my patio window and allow me to appreciate their extraordinary beauty, munch on the weeds overtaking my less than pristeenly groomed lawn, only to be offered up to state sanctioned days of hunting, when huge numbers become the trophies of hunters who say they are used for food. Sadly, they are often seen as road kill so there is the danger to deer and human in that all too common scenario.
The hypocrisy is then noted on Facebook where animal rescue organizations seek funding for vet care for single animals injured beyond salvation found at the side of the road suffering in pain and shock at their situation; thousands of dollars expended to make them whole again to be shot, if they survive the days, weeks of surgical and other interventions imposed by “caring” humans. Why not end their suffering immediately with euthanasia and put those dollars to work on compassionate conservation policies?
Thank you, Judith, for your thoughtful response and for sharing your observations about the impact of traditional wildlife management practices. Your experiences and reflections beautifully illustrate the need for compassionate conservation. The quiet presence of deer in your area, and the harsh realities they face, highlight the importance of rethinking our approach to coexistence. Your support and empathy for these sentient beings reinforce the essence of compassionate conservation, which seeks to protect and respect all life. Thank you for contributing to this important dialogue.
I understand that humans like program labels like Compassionate Conservation. I am not a big fan of orogram labels, but if it can change entrenched and lazy thinking-- i.e., the Garden of Eden mindset and the need to subdue and dominate--so be it.
The main message is that Humans are not superor. We share the Earth with all species. Less Hubris; More Humility.
Thank you, Perry, I appreciate your insights on the importance of shifting our thinking away from a traditional mindset towards a more humble and inclusive approach. Indeed, less hubris and more humility can help lead us to better stewardship of our planet. Thank you for contributing to this important conversation.