Society for Conservation Biology

The idea of conservation biology as a scientific discipline with a specific application to society-at-large was brought to life in 1978 by organizers Michael Soule and Bruce Wilcox. They formalized their interest in a new conservation discipline at the first International Conference of Conservation Biology in San Diego. Between 1978 and 1985, the ideals of conservation biology survived through some growing pains, most importantly expanding from the idea of several single disciplines looking at a problem to a unified examination of a problem including the insights of many disciplines.

The core of that interdisciplinary approach formed a foundation from which, in 1985, the Society for Conservation Biology was born. The Society is, in its own words, "...an international professional organization dedicated to promoting the scientific study of the phenomena that affect the maintenance, loss, and restoration of biological diversity. The Society's membership is comprised of a wide range of people interested in the conservation and study of biological diversity; resource managers, educators, government and private conservation workers, and students."

What is unusual for a professional scientific group is that the Society was formed "to develop the scientific and technical means for the protection, maintenance, and restoration of life on this planet—its species , its ecological and evolutionary processes, and its particular and total environment." Thus, a mission is an inherent part of the Society mandate. That mission can be very broadly interpreted to include political, economic, and cultural ramifications, which are not commonly the arena for professional scientists.

To undertake the above mission the SCB promotes research, disseminates information, encourages communication and collaboration, educates, and recognizes outstanding contributions in the field. Part of that is done through a scientific journal, Conservation Biology, a newsletter, the development of local chapters, a Policy and Resolutions Committee, and the independent actions of the members.

The ideals noted above are based on the Society's official statements, but they undervalue the Society. It has grown to be a true meeting ground for scientists and nonscientists, and has maintained open and honest debate on vital topics, such as the roles of science and advocacy, that are touchstones for the new generation of conservation scientists. The message that comes through from the overall body of the Society's work is that careful science and compassion are not antithetical, rather they work together to promote nature in a natural way.

The journal Conservation Biology is the center of discussion and dissemination of thought for conservationists worldwide. Its overall quality, maintained by the highest editorial principles, has grown from a few articles in a quarterly issue to 300–400 page editions published six times per year. In each volume philosophical treatments are found alongside the latest molecular technique for recognizing levels of genetic variability.

The Society meets annually in a conference setting, complete with technical paper presentations, research posters, workshops, and a series of conservation awards. They occasionally meet in conjunction with other scientific groups and explore particular thematic topics in the Annual Meeting.

[David Duffus ]

RESOURCES

ORGANIZATIONS

Society for Conservation Biology, 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington VA USA 22203 (703) 276-2384, Fax: (703) 995-4633, Email: [email protected], <http://conbio.net/scb>