The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know or how stuck I was in my thinking. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed doing this research and learning more about managing ecosystems. It’s made me a better steward of the land and its inhabitants!

Ecosystem management techniques are pretty basic (e.g. mow, burn, graze, etc). Their effectiveness is how they are combined and that effectiveness is governed by the landscape and the management goals.

Ecological restoration practices based on unproven assumptions or narrowly focused goals need to be re-examined. It’s good to re-evaluate what we “think we know.” New research and new information is continually available.

The overarching goal for healthy ecosystems needs to ensure our goals are not undermined or overly influenced by traditional management techniques and practices not substantiated by science.

Anecdotal information has value but isn’t what we rely on for accurate information. We keep questioning and maintain a curious outlook. What works on one person’s land might not work on ours. After all, it’s nature and no two land parcels are the same. If we know the science, success is greatly enhanced.