MARYANN WHITMAN

CITIZEN OF PLANET EARTH; EDITOR, WILD ONES JOURNAL
(WWW.FOR-WILD.ORG)

Today's Date: July 27, 2006

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

I WAS PROBABLY 10 OR 11 TARGET SHOOTING WITH A 22 RIFLE (IT WAS A DIFFERENT WORLD, ON A FARM IN CANADA, IN THE FIFTIES). I SPOTTED A STARLING IN A TREE AT A 100+ METERS AND TOOK A POT SHOT, NEVER EXPECTING TO MAKE MY MARK. I HIT THE STARLING, KILLING IT. I WAS DEVASTATED. ALL I COULD THINK WAS THAT A PARENT (STARLING) WOULD NOT COME BACK HOME THAT NIGHT. EMPATHY CAN BE PAINFUL.

AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME I HAD THE AURORA BOREALIS EXPLAINED TO ME AND WAS INTRODUCED TO THE CONCEPT OF THE UNIVERSE. I RECALL LOOKING AT THE LEG OF A KITCHEN TABLE AND THINKING 'THERE MIGHT BE A WHOLE UNIVERSE IN THERE'; A LITTLE CONCRETE, BUT EMPATHY AT ANOTHER LEVEL.

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

YES. I GREW UP ON A FARM SURROUNDED BY FOREST TO WHICH I HAD FREE ACCESS. I HAVE VIVID RECOLLECTIONS OF A NUMBER OF 'FAVORITE PLACES' THAT WERE MY OWN.

Now? ANYWHERE IN MY OWN SMALL ACREAGE BUT THE EASE OF ENJOYMENT IS NOT THE SAME. THE OLD GROWTH FORESTS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.

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

A RIVER OTTER. I LOVE THEIR 'PLAYFUL NATURE' AND THEIR CURIOUS, INTELLIGENT EYES (YES, I KNOW THEIR VISION OUT OF WATER IS DISTORTED). BUT I HAVE MORE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE WITH DOGS. I HAVE MADE VERY STRONG CONNECTIONS WITH TWO VERY INTELLIGENT GOLDEN RETREIVERS (AT DIFFERENT TIMES).

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?

POPULATION GROWTH; WITHOUT THIS PRESSURE OUR OTHER CRISES MIGHT BE MORE MANAGEABLE OR MIGHT NOT HAVE REACHED CRITICAL PROPORTIONS.

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

READ; LEARN; THINK; BE GENTLE; PRESERVE.