In this, the latest in the People and Plants series, plant conservation is described in the context of livelihoods and development, and ways of balancing the conservation of plant diversity with the use of plants and the environment for human benefit are discussed. A central contention in this book is that local people must be involved if conservation is to be successful. Also examined are ways of prioritizing plants and places for conservation initiatives, approaches to in situ and ex situ conservation, and how to approach problems of unsustainable harvesting of wild plants. Roles for botanists, foresters, sociologists, development workers and others are discussed. This book acts as a unifying text for the series, integrating case studies and methodologies considered in previous volumes and pointing out in a comprehensive, accessible volume the valuable lessons to be learned.

Preface One of the methods back in 2012 other than print I chose to publish this book of poems, sayings, and more was online without charge over the internet, using a flip-book technology. My goal was to have as many people as possible take advantage of the freely accessible way I've communicated my thoughts. I offer those who choose to read my words the opportunity to hear my call to action regarding the survival of humankind. I also waited until the last part of 2012 to promote the distribution of Nature IQ: "Let's Survive, Not Die" in PDF format (free download) to demonstrate a positive voice that focuses on the most vital needs and issues of the people. 2012 was a year filled with the hype of doomsday prophesy and the campaign for election of the president of the United States. It was another election where our choices between candidates were once again devoid of timely concepts and practices that would help the people with immediate and long-term circumstances. Unlike those candidates for president, I've suggested a more cooperative, forward thinking, transitional and adaptive approach to established and new concepts and practices to be used not only by those who represent the people in government, but by We the people as well. Concepts and practices if more fully implemented will improve the people's lot in life and will create an environment that will make the people more self-reliant, more resilient, and less susceptible to disruptive conditions. In other words, we will create a support system that will help the people help themselves, no matter the issue or earth changes we may have to face. As a concerned citizen, being a part of We the people, I've expressed in the best manner humanly possible, a nonpartisan voice echoing common sense and reason while doing so in the midst of all the 2012 commotion. It is a voice, if combined with the many, may over time possess greater value for all humanity. In addition to my sayings and prose, I have chosen to use poetry, with its inherent capability to bring forth and express, to make more palatable the full flavor of any intelligently perceptive insight embedded in its words. Within the beat of poetry, the people can enjoy the insight and then hunger after the thoughts that make up the integral fabric of its character. The experience of such a creative process may inspire the people themselves to add more tasty ingredients or seasonings to the overall mix. Hopefully this process will help to create a recipe more palatable to all humanity. Although, some may suggest I've reduced the recipe for poetry into more of a prose-like mix. I feel my everyday free verse style, with its empathic twists and turns of perception, will be more satisfying to the taste buds of a broader spectrum of people. Words such as these may cause the use of a more multi-dimensional perspective when thinking about what is presented within this book, rather than the more traditional approach to poetry. We'll see. This book is the introduction, the first in a series of books covering various topics highlighted in the prose, sayings and poems that follow. Don't hesitate to share it with as many people as you can - especially, if you feel it embodies a message spirited with hope and direction needing to be heard by We the people. More importantly, distribute it widely for the sake of our children, Keith Alan Hamilton