Whose really living on the edge ?

As one who saw the growth of some great practical application of resilience research by Australia's formative  innovative and onground engaged conservation agency in the 1970's , I know just how distracted is so much conservation investment in the new milleneum. Most investment in conservation has now lost its way-esp to really help rural people and help them move away from the edge or towards resilience - a tragedy but one wise investment

can fix -if there was more awareness of the hole we are now in .The fact is that politics is quick fix and since my work became popular ,the drive for quickfix has never been greater .

SO.........

You can't rely on governements to live on the edge ,

You can't even rely on big business ( have to focus on the narrow to survive AND prosper  )

You can't  rely on people who make their living on the edge (they don't always want to identify the precipice nearby)

BUT You can rely on observers who work closely and objectively ( understand how nature works and are not distracted by variability and unpredictable risk factors ) with those on the edge

. Probably the most amazing thing I learnt in my long career in supporting young people to invest wsiely in rural areas was that it was possible , but that it was best done by people who keep a low profile but carry a big stick . Its hard to get and keep people there .....but its certainly worthwhile .