David Hartgrove

Conservation Chair, Halifax River Audubon

Today's Date: July 26, 2006

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

In 1977, while at work one afternoon, I watched as a Loggerhead Shrike killed a House Sparrow and the proceeded to feed it to her 3 nestlings. I bought my first Petersen Field Guide the next day.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

The top of a 45' longleaf pine in a vacant lot down the street from my house.

Now? The observation tower at the "Rose Bay Project", a part of Spruce Creek Park. This is a Volusia County park on the north side of Spruce Creek, in eastern Volusia County.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?

The Raccoon. They are relentless predators on wild bird populations and on sea turtle nests. Both should be reasons for me to dislike them. But their intelligence and creativity has to be admired.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Global warming, climate change, what ever you want to call it. The billions spent on Everglades restoration will be for nothing it they're sitting under 3 feet of salt water. In the future, as now, population expansion is the biggest bomb on the horizon. The expanding populations in South America aren't burning the rain forest because they want to get rich. They're doing do because they're hungry, as all humans get on a regular schedule. If we were straining the earth's capacity at a population of 3 billion, what are we doing to it at 6 billion?

5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Actions and decisions have consequences. Think before you throw that old battery away. Think before you sign the sales form for that Hummer. Think before you decide to have 5 kids instead of 2.