Protecting collections by raising the perceived status of systematics

[Tom Wendt]

Ron Gatrelle wrote:

>When we started TILS (The International Lepidoptera Survey) in 1998 we came
>up with a motto.  At the time it just looked catchy as a phrase.  But as
>time has gone on, through the comments of many others, we have come to see
>how important this motto is.   The motto is this.
>
>   "We can not protect that which we do not know."

Indeed--but that is a double-edged sword, especially in the present
political environment (as to the U.S.)  I fear that there are many
for whom that is EXACTLY why we should get rid of collections--and
collecting--and here I am not referring to the U.S. only.  Tom Wendt