Conservation biology is a relatively new multidisciplinary science focused around maintaining the earth’s biodiversity including natural ecological and evolutionary processes. To achieve this goal, conservation biologists must consider all levels of the biological hierarchy ranging from the genetic level to the landscape level. The social sciences are also particularly important to the field of conservation biology as human needs and values must be taken into consideration during conservation and management planning. In the words of Hunter (1996), “Conservation biology is cross-disciplinary, reaching far beyond biology into subjects such as philosophy, economics, and sociology - disciplines that are concerned with the social environment in which we practice conservation - as well as into subjects such as law and education that determine the ways we implement conservation.” Michael Soule (2001) characterized conservation biology as a ‘crisis discipline’, in which tactical decisions must sometimes be made in the face of uncertain knowledge. The discipline offers limitless opportunities, however, for creating positive, dynamic solutions in the face of the complex threats to our natural heritage.