In human-populated landscapes, dogs (Canis familiaris) are often the most abundant terrestrial carnivore. However, dogs can significantly disrupt or modify intact ecosystems well beyond the areas occupied by people. Few studies have directly quantified the environmental or economic effects of free-roaming and feral dogs. Here, we review wildlife-dog interactions and provide a case study that focuses on interactions documented from our research in Mongolia to underscore the need for studies designed to best determine how dogs affect native wildlife and especially imperiled populations. We suggest additional research, public awareness campaigns, and the exclusion of dogs from critical wildlife habitat. The application of scientific findings to management and enhanced public outreach programs will not only facilitate recovery and maintenance of wildlife populations globally but also has the potential to reduce economic losses.

Since the turn of this century, prairie dog populations have declined as much as 9896 throughout North Amer-ic~ largely as a result of prairie dog eradication program& The prairie dog is a keystone species that plays an important role in maintaining the biotic integrity of the western grasslands that stretch from southern Canada to northern Mexico. The fragmentation of prairie dog distribution has degraded diversity on those prairieg and several species depending on prairie dogs have achieved listing status under the Endangered Species Act We propose that managing the prairie dog tvould provide an effective avenue from single-species management to nmnagement of a systerg Because prairie dogs have declined so profoundly, some form of legal protection will be requireaL In additior6 protected areas can preserve habitat and integrate ecologically sound agricultural oppor-tunitie~ Positive incentives for ranchers to manage in the interests of both livestock and wildlife will enhance the attitude change necessary for grassland conservatio~ These management options hinge critically on an end to U.S government subsidies for prairie dog eradication program The subsidies are flnancially and ecologically unsoumg and they only contribute to the prevailing misconceptions about the role of the prairie dog on the grasslandg El perro de las praderas y la diversidad bi6ticaResumen: Desde el comienzo de este siglo, los perros de las praderas ban declinado basra en un 9896 a lo largo de Arndrica del Nortg principalmente como resultado de los programas de erradicaci6rL El perro de las praderas es una especie clave quejuega un rol importante en el mantenimiento de la integrldad bi6tica de las praderas del oeste que se extienden desde el sur de Canada basra el norte de Mdxic~ La frag-mentaci6n de la distrlbuci6n del perro de las praderas ha degradado la diversldad de esas praderag y varias especies que dependen de los perros de las praderas ban alcanzado el estatus para ser listadas bajo el Acta de Especies en Peligro. Nosotros proponemos que el manejo del perro de las parderas serla un medio efectivo para pasar de un manejo de especies particulates al manejo de un sistenuz Dado que el perro de las praderas ha declinado en forma tan profundg se necesitard alg~n tipo de protecci6n legal En forma adiciohal las dreas protegldas pueden preservar el hdbitat e integrar oportunidades agricolas buenas desde un punto de vista ecol6gico, lncentivos positivos para los rancher~ que manejan sus campos tratando de favorecer tanto el ganado como la vlda salvaje mejorardn el cambio de actitud necesario para la conservaci6n de las praderag Estas opciones de mango dependen en forma critica del fin de los subsidios del gobierno de EEUU para los programas de erradicaci6n de los pem~ de las pradera~ El subsldio es financiera y eco-16gicamente insano y s61o contribuye al mantenimiento de las ideas err6neas que prevalecen acerca del rol de los perros de las praderas en las praderas

The evaluation of conservation programs is rare but increasingly important in improving their effectiveness. Regular evaluations of conservation programs and the implementation of recommendations resulting from such assessments are infrequent because of resistance by participants and lack of funding. Evaluations may be internal or external, depending on the purpose of the review and how broadly it is focused. We strongly recommend external peer review of long‐term complex conservation programs every 5 years, supported by more frequent (annual) internal reviews. Criteria for success must encompass both biological and social measures and include learning and the application of new knowledge to management. Evaluations must also go beyond monitoring to assess the value of the program. We emphasize the need to include the organization and function of a conservation program (the process) in any evaluation in addition to substantive criteria for success, which usually involve biological measures (numbers). A dysfunctional program organization and process can as effectively cripple a conservation effort as can a major biological catastrophe. We provide examples of different types of conservation program evaluations, including moderated workshops and case‐study analysis, and provide advice on the logistics and organization of the review, emphasizing the importance of the evaluation process itself to a successful outcome. One important aspect of an evaluation is having an individual with leadership ability and considerable expertise to organize the format and oversee the review process itself. Second, it is essential at the outset to ensure agreement among the program participants and the review committee on the goals and objectives of the conservation program, what is to be evaluated, and the criteria for defining success. Finally, the best evaluations are inclusive and involve all participants and stakeholders.

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Collection-based institutions-zoos, aquariums, museums, and botanical gardens-exhibit wildlifeand thus have a special connection with nature. Many of these institutions emphasize a mission of conservation, and, undeniably, they do contribute directly to conservation education and conservation science. They present an exceptional opportunity for many urban residents to see the wonders of life, and they can contribute to education and habitat preservation. Because many collection-based institutions now hold a stated mission of conservation, we suggest eight potential questions to evaluate actions toward that mission: (1) Does conservation thought define policy decisions? (2) Is there sufficient organizational funding for conservation activities?(3) Is there a functional conservation department? (4) Does the institution advocate for conservation? (5) Do conservation education programs effectively target children and adults? (6) Does the institution contribute directly to habitat protection locally and internationally? (7) Do exhibits explain and promote conservation efforts? and (8) Do internal policies and activities protect the environment? These questions are offered as a place to begin discussion. We hope they will help employees and administrators of a collection-based institution (and citizens of the surrounding community) think about and support their institution's conservation activities. Public support and praise for institutions that are striving toward solutions for conservation problems and pressure on organizations that are moving more slowly toward a conservation orientation can help shift more resources toward saving nature. Evaluación de la Misión de Conservación de Zoológicos, Acuarios, Jardines Botánicos o Museos de Historia NaturalResumen: Las instituciones basadas en colecciones (zoológicos, acuarios, museos y jardines botánicos) exhiben vida silvestre. Por lo tanto, tienen una conexión especial con la naturaleza. Muchas de estas instituciones destacan una misión de conservación y, sin duda contribuyen directamente a la educación y la ciencia de la conservación. Brindan una oportunidad excepcional para que muchos residentes urbanos vean las maravillas de la vida, y pueden contribuir a la educación y a la preservación del hábitat. Debido a que en la actualidad muchas de las instituciones basadas en colecciones tienen una misión de conservación manifiesta, sugerimos ocho preguntas potenciales para evaluar las acciones hacia el cumplimiento de esa misión: (1) ¿Las consideraciones sobre la conservación definen las decisiones sobre políticas? (2) ¿Hay suficiente financiamiento organizacional para las actividades de conservación? (3) ¿Hay un departamento de conservación que funcione? (4) ¿La institución aboga por la conservación? (5) ¿Los programas de educación en conservación se ‡ Miller et al. Conservation and Collection-Based Institutions 87enfocan eficientemente sobre niños y adultos? (6) ¿La institución contribuye directamente a la conservación del hábitat a nivel local e internacional? (7) ¿Las e...