The Professional in Endangered Species Conservation: An Introduction to Standpoint Clarification

Tim W. Clark
Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, 301 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511 and Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative, Box 2705, Jackson, WY 83001
timothy.w.clark@yale.edu

Richard L. Wallace
Environmental Studies Program, Ursinus College, P.O. Box 1000, Collegeville, PA 19426
rwallace@ursinus.edu

Abstract
The work and role of professionals who carry out endangered species conservation is changing, as
society itself changes. Knowing about the range of standpoints a professional can assume in conservation
is one way to enhance effectiveness. Professionals may assume a variety of standpoints
depending on how he or she sees the recovery process and their own role in it. Recovery may be
viewed as a biological-technical task or a multifaceted task with both biological-technical and
social dimensions. An endangered species case illustrates how one professional changed her standpoint
from a "conventional" one to "policy-oriented" professionalism." These two forms of professionalism
are compared.