Steve Sosensky

SoCA Bird Guides

Today's Date: 7/26/06

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

Seeing a Magnificent Frigatebird fly over my head about 20 feet up spurred the decision to take up birdwatching enthusiastically. I now work in the industry.

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

My neighborhood had several patches of woods and a pond and marsh that froze over for ice skating in the winter.

Now? I can't count that high. Some examples are Yosemite NP, East Mojave Preserve, Salton Sea, any rocky shoreline in California.

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

I don't really have one. I like Empidonax flycatchers for the challenge of identifying them (but any bird I see for the first time), most mammals, but especially cetaceans, and butterflies.

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?

Republicans. The greatest environmental challenge is people who care more about overuse for economic gain than about the quality of the environment and the legacy we will be leaving for future generations.

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

We need to ensure that renewable resources stay renewable and that non-renewable resources are used sparingly until alternatives are discovered and developed.