Obviously, there is a growing need to make everyone aware of the situation that all wildlife faces.  When I first began this project, I basically was looking for a topic of discussion.  A simple task to gather a little information to share with my visitors.  Though it began as a simple task, with a small idea, it has since quickly developed into a long journey, filled with an incredible amount of information. Gathering this information and compiling it, has made me miss my own self-imposed deadlines for updating my site.  However I believe it is well worth it.  In addition, it has been the spark that ignited the flame in the heart of THE ACORN TREE. I am an animal lover, a nature lover, believing that nature is most beautiful in it's own environment, untouched by man.  And I still believe that.  Visiting these sites, however, I've learned that such a thought is rather idealistic.  Learning more about the situation, has opened my eyes to the facts that actually exist.  The harsh reality is that human population is expanding rapidly, and that too soon there will be nowhere left for these big cats or other wildlife to exist. The idea of preserving land for all wildlife is great, but we may be left with pockets of natural environment and wildlife surrounded by developed land and people, forcing a species to become extinct.  We can not concentrate our efforts in one area, because we may well overlook the very thing that was needed.  And by that time it may be too late for the survival of many species. We need to follow every road that is available to us; wildlife refuges and sanctuaries, environmental conservation, education, and more.  We need to work together using many solutions, not just one, for after all we are striving for the same goal. Education is the key.  Researching and learning everything you can, and than sharing your knowledge.  Everyone needs to make it their job to teach one person what they have learned, and that person can teach another and so on.