A year and a half ago, when asked if I'd be interested in editing an electronic journal for the Massachusetts Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology, I immediately signed on for two reasons. First, I was intrigued with using the broad scope of the internet as a communication tool. Not only would an e-journal give us a potentially worldwide audience, but contributors to the journal would not be limited by geography, professional affiliation, or field of study. More importantly, MassSCB is an organization whose goals I share. Editing "Conservation Perspectives" is a form of environmental stewardship for me, where I can use my skills and training to further the cause of conservation in a venue beyond "reduce, reuse, and recycle."

If you would like to share your ideas and knowledge of conservation biology, ecology, natural history, or environmental science with the MassSCB's audience, I invite you to submit an article to "Conservation Perspectives," propose a topic, or suggest an interview for our on-line journal. But don't stop there. Submit a listing to our calendar of events page, volunteer to work on a committee, help organize an event, speak at a conference, and even better -- become a dues-paying member of the non-profit Massachusetts Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology. We welcome your participation and your support.

I'd like to thank all of the writers, reviewers, and people behind the scenes who contributed their time and ideas to "Conservation Perspectives" this past year. What's in store for the future of "CP?" In addition to a thematic approach, we are opening the e-publication to a wider range of issues and perspectives. So unsolicited articles are welcome. For future issues of "CP", we hope to provide the journal in PDF format AND hope to offer a bound, annual collection of "Conservation Perspectives" to members and/or for sale.

For Spring 2001, our theme is "Pests -- Creatures We Love to Hate" (admit it, it's not just the general public out there who get squeamish or belligerent when personally faced with a pest species). So we start this issue with a lighthearted lament about some of the pests that invade our spaces. [See the poem below]