Wild hope : on the front lines of conservation success /

Amid a steady stream of books with disturbing news of habitat degradation and biodiversity loss, Wild Hope stands out by offering good news and models for a way forward. Balmford (Univ. of Cambridge, UK) describes seven projects from around the world that defy current trends in resource loss and challenge standard conservation efforts. A common thread is the importance of engaging local people, particularly those who might normally gain more by exploiting natural resources rather than protecting them, and developing self-constraint as a new and consensual norm. Balmford describes different ways of encouraging such a shift, including alternative employment, direct payments, education, and flexible regulations that reward rather than punish. The cases presented are appropriate and effective, and the writing is smooth and inviting. Balmford is not naive, noting in his conclusion that if trends persist, a couple of decades may be all that is left before catastrophic damage is "irreparable." Nonetheless, some readers may find Balmford to be clutching at straws, given the paucity of evidence of the projects' long-term success. Even so, the book is exceptional for its depiction of enlightened management and as an antidote to despair. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries. J. Nabe Southern Illinois University Carbondale