collecting, vouchers, pay and the blame game (too long)

[Richard E. Hill]

I think we are both preaching to the choir, and I am probably too raw nerved at the
moment.  Appology happily accepted, though it is probably not necessary.  I have
found your posts to be level-headed and well considered.

Developer interests seem to have significant clout with the agencies these days, and
I suspect frustrated agency staff sometimes strike out at the non-developers in
their frustration.  What we need is organized effort to develop environmental
analysis standards for invertebrates that are equivalent logically with the
botanical standards.  Publishing such standards may cause the agencies to accept
them.  One element should include vouchering specimens at strongly supported
museums, absolutely.

I am not at all surprised that you do consulting on occaision.  All the good
taxonomists I know do some work gratis and some for pay.  I do both myself.  I just
completed a free focused taxonomy course to a group of local docents so they could
apply for a permit to handle listed species as part of community education.  I
expect to do so  regularly.  (The habitat is endangered and therefore so is the
species, but within available habitat the populations are robust.  Teaching the
public about the resource will benefit the species and local population by gaining
support for protecting the habitat, easily offsetting any losses due to docent take
IMHO).  I also sponsor a course that has taught some 300+ consultants, educators,
agency staff, interested public, landowners and even a few developers how to
identify California large branchiopods (fairy and tadpole shrimp) including listed
species.  The results are used by many to obtain permits.  I teach refresher
courses, field techniques courses and specialized courses.  I do gratis work for
those I believe will benefit resources, and charge those who earn from my teaching.
I'm sure you do similar work.

We need consultant oriented courses on oligolectic bees that pollinate vernal pool
plants. There are so many needs that are currently unmet.

I have agreed to provide IDs for some who have no budget, but have required some
form of payment such as volunteer hours as docents or presentations to community
groups.  I do that once, then expect that they will propose something in advance or
plan for reasonable compensation.  I expect to be valued.  I know what the
developers want to pay, and how much they are willing to pay engineers or
archetects.

I believe that the majority still favor the Endangered Species Act and that the best
that will happen is that the Act will be modified in good and bad ways.  In the mean
time we, the professional community, must make a good case and associate with the
voters.  All politics are local.

Thanks, Doug.
Peace.