It seems widely accepted that environmental conservation will develop in the right direction only through dialogue across disciplines that is well sourced and objectively argued. Yet most people seem to have different ideas about what constitutes interdisciplinarity and few if any have a clear idea as to how different disciplines should be effectively integrated in the context of conserving the environment. The Comments section of the journal provides a unique opportunity to explore more of this important ground. In effect, Environmental Conservation is aiming for the Comments section to become a regular feature in each issue. This is a new departure to address topical issues of general interest through brief essays that are intended to stimulate discussion. Comments may either challenge or augment the findings of previously published work (in this or other journals), present new interpretations or syntheses of current issues, or suggest new ideas and approaches to environmental conservation, policy and management.