Cooperating with Nature: Confronting Natural Hazards with Land-Use Planning for Sustainable CommunitiesThis book from the National Academy of Sciences Press discusses the limitations of the Earth's carrying capacity, the importance of managing natural resources within reasonable limits, and the impacts human activity has had on the biosphere because of our failure to do this. It also addresses the many economic, cultural, and political reasons why modern societies have largely ignored these concerns, particularly in wealthier nations like the United States.

Nature's Numbers: Expanding the National Economic Accounts to Include the EnvironmentThis book from the National Research Council arm of the National Academy of Sciences discusses how measures of economic value frequently exclude the value of the services offered by nature, thereby causing business leaders, economists and policy makers to conclude that environmental measures are too "costly". A proper consideration of nature's impact on human society would lead to very different valuations of environmental policy.

The Scientific Bases for Preservation of the Mariana CrowThis 1997 book from the NRC (National Research Council), addresses current preservation challenges posed by the Aga, or Mariana crow (corvus kubaryi) and also reflects the larger issues and challenges of biodiversity conservation in oceanic island ecosystems. The Mariana Crow provides a valuable case study into the nature of "island" ecosystems (which incidentally, are not necessarily surrounded by water) and the special issues their species face.

The Scientific Bases for Preservation of the Hawaiian CrowHere is another study by the NAS on the endangered status of a Pacific Island bird. The Hawaiian Crow, or 'Alala (corvus hawaiiensis), once inhabited nearly all large forested areas of Hawaii. Today it is found in the wild only in a relatively small area of the central Kona coast. The decline of the 'Alala is part of a larger phenomenon of reduction and extinction of forest birds throughout Polynesia that is the direct result of human colonization, and as such, it is a symptom of many underlying ecological problems.

Decline of the Sea Turtles: Causes and PreventionThis book explores the threats to the world's sea turtle population and provides sound, scientific conclusions on which dangers are greatest and how they can be addressed most effectively. Five sea turtle species are examined in detail and their feeding habits, preferred nesting areas, and migration routes are discussed. The book examines their status in U.S. waters; and cites examples of conservation measures under way and under consideration.

Lynx, Lies, and Media HypePDFAn article by conservation writer Ted Williams on the Lynxgate incident from the May 2002 edition of Audubon magazine. Reprinted here with the author's kind permission. For more of Ted's outstanding, no-nonsense environmental reporting, see the Ted Williams Archive.

Trout Are Wildlife TooAnother article from Ted Williams discussing how wild trout are disappearing from streams and rivers all over the West, and why. In particular, he discusses the case of the West Slope Cutthroat (Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi) and the challenges it faces in what little remains of its native habitat in Western states. Despite their interests in preserving trout for future generations, many "sportsmen" have been vehemently, and at times even viciously opposed conservation measures for protecting them. The reasons for such irrational views range from opposition to catch-and-release by fishermen who care only about filling their freezers, to knee-jerk reactions to conservation as "enviro extremism". Needless to say, science has little to do with these views. Also found in my Ted Williams Archive.