Senior Lecturer, Ecology and Ornithology, Institute for Land Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Australia
Today's Date: 31 July 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Spending time pottering around rocky shores and rock pools on Summer holidays
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes—lush cool sclerophyll forest near Melbourne with tree ferns, waterfalls and lyrebirds
Now? Many—a real favourite is the unbroken miles of stony downs country in the northernm Strezlecki desert where I conduct fieldwork
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Too many choices, but a firm favourite is the long-nose coatimundi—they’re amazing. Social, busy, inquisitive and very personable
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?
Current challenge = global warming—it’s going to take concerted efforts from all, and I can’t see that happening any time soon when, like all organisms, our actions are necessarily self-serving and short-sighted. Longer term, the greatest challenge will be conceiving of this planet supporting life that doesn’t include humans. This is something most policy makers cannot grasp, and is critical to all long-term planning
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
That we are animals, dancing to the same drum as all other animals—and we should treat our fellow organisms approporiately
Thanks to my sister Michelle McIlroy for designing the logo!
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