The planet�s resources - its aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna and its human resources - ideally coexist in a complex yet simple relationship of care, concern and mutual benefit. Unfortunately, that relationship is not always honored, maintained, or even understood. Yet, if those resources are to flourish now and for the foreseeable future, we must work to maintain that balance and restore it where it is lost. We must avoid those paths that are short or wrong sighted. We must combine the best data with effective and cooperative management schemes that provide true benefit for the oceans, the land, the skies, the plants, the animals, and for the earth�s many peoples.

From the richness of our presenters� collective and individual experiences, we heard the recurring idea that there is no room in true conservation for hidden or not-so-hidden political or ideological agendas. These selfish agendas intentionally or otherwise mislead and present untrue perceptions of the status of nature�s resources or what is needed to protect them.

Too many organizations and individuals are too eager to exploit the concern all share for the environment for their selfish ends. Too many are intellectually, ethically, and economically dishonest and perpetuate distorted perceptions of the status of animals and other resources to appease their greed for influence, power and money. Theirs are perceptions that are carefully crafted to capture the imaginations of a sadly uninformed public and to influence certain easily led yet powerful government officials and their governments.

Their unfortunate character flaws do great harm to those they claim to "save." They do great harm to the cultures who are the real stewards and guardians of the earth�s resources. And they do great harm to the work each of you and your dedicated colleagues perform on behalf of the earth and its precious resources.

Fortunately or unfortunately, we have our work defined not only by what is truly needed for the earth�s resources but also by the need to correct the misinformation and harm spread by the politically correct but morally and ethically bankrupt exploitative activities of extreme animal rights and environmental NGOs.

Fear and ignorance of those things we do not understand must not be allowed to lead us to condemnation and prohibition by international policies. Rather such a lack of information must challenge us to renew our quest for knowledge through research, education, and communication regarding topics such as traditional Chinese medicine or the use of animal resources by cultures in the frigid Arctic or the heat of Africa or the vastness of Asia.

The integrity of the earth and its inhabitants demand and deserve better than the disingenuous diet of the environmental exploiters. The planet and its resources deserve no less than the best we can bring to the important role we play as participants in the process of conserving and protecting the environment and all that dwell within.

To care about nature�s resources is not enough. As we continue our important work after this symposium adjourns, we must bring its findings, recommendations and conclusions to the public. That takes a certain amount of sweat, tenacity, respect, trust and funding as well we all know.

That, in part, is the message we take from this conference. In part, we hope this 2^nd IWMC Symposium has provided a forum for new ideas, new relationships, and new initiatives for taking the principles of sustainable resource management and wise resource use to other forums such as CITES, CBD, FAO and to the world itself.