Natural History, Field Ecology, Conservation Biology and Wildlife Management: Time to Connect the Dots

.—Natural history and field ecology are essential building blocks for successful conservation and management ofherpetofauna. Thus, natural history and field ecology merit major infusions of funding and increased recognition of theirimportance in science and management. Others have stated matters well: (1) Academic training in natural history shouldreceive high priority; (2) we need to integrate our work across disciplines (from molecules to communities), and use all of ourknowledge toward common goals; (3) natural history is not dead but today is a flourishing enterprise; and (4) mutual respectand collaboration between disciplines best serve our own mental health as well as the future of natural history. We need tomerge the best natural history, field ecological data, and biological questions with the latest advances in other fields of inquiry ifwe are to advance science and solve key environmental issues. It takes a scientific community and many concerned parties tosave a species, let alone an ecosystem. We must connect these dots to see the big picture.