Dear David;
        I await your documentation.  However, the point you made about the
largest of the North American environmental groups being allergic to
bottom-up, participatory democracy is perhaps even more valid, and
severely limits the effectiveness of the environmental movement in our
part of the world.  If the dictum "Think globally, act locally" were in
fact the most common method of environmental work in N. America, i think
far more real change would be the result.  There certainly is a need and
a place for national and international organizations, but they could be
FAR more effective if they encouraged "bottom up activism" and local
chapters, orgainizion and networking, instead of just using "the masses"
as sources of funding.
        So, i would encourage any Conchlers interested in improving our
species' dismal relationships with the other 10 million species on the
planet, to get out there and get involved with groups in your own
community and neighbourhood - you will be able to SEE the results of
your work, you will know where your efforts and funds are going and what
they are accomplishing, and you stand an excellent chance of making a
true difference! (of course, you can and "should" sponsor work on a
regional, national and/or international scale, but without the "acting
locally" componant, the "thinking globally" part is of limited use!!)

-Ross.