Thanks to my sister Michelle McIlroy for designing the logo!

Welcome!

Ever since I was a child, I have been very interested in nature and the environment. I have a B.S. degree in wildlife biology, and have worked as a zookeeper, wildlife biologist, and ecologist. I am conducting a brief survey of world leaders, government officials, religious leaders, corporate CEOs, environmental groups, wildlife experts, and others regarding nature and the environment. I am also very interested in religious views, customs, and beliefs from around the world, and the interactions between religion, culture, society, and the environment. This is something I am doing out of personal interest, and is not connected to any group or organization. I have been working on this project since the summer of 2006, and hope to eventually turn it into a book and/or documentary. I am hoping to make this into a global project, with responses from all segments of society. Feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions or comments. If you have not already done so, I hope that you will consider taking part in my project, and please spread the word to anyone you think might be interested! Thanks for stopping by!

TAKE THE SURVEY ONLINE HERE http://tinyurl.com/nx4ng7

August 30, 2006

Ann Turner

Co-ordinator and Founder, The Mabula Ground Hornbill Research & Conservation Project
Today's Date: 31 August 2006

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

I have been running a conservation project for an endangered flagship species of the savannah biome, which has hands on conservation management to stop the decline of Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri). I live in the bush on a big five reserve and travel considerably throughout South Africa doing a population count, harvesting second hatched chicks (which always die) from wild nests, and releasing juveniles into non-viable groups in the wild, with erection and checking of artificial nests along the Limpopo River. Huge impact!

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

Venezuela where I lived for 11 years.

Now? The bush in South Africa

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

Elephants - in the wild - where they assume huge characters and way of life. Have an aura of soul and old knowledge and intelligence. Very hard for them to keep this when prevented from free roaming in their own habitat.

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?

Now...the encroachment of human populations into new areas throughout the world thus killing another habitat. In the future...water.

We behave as though the environment is endless and sustainable. Our blithe use or rather misuse of water is terrifying....where I live huge rivers are dry except when the big rains come, and farmers, industry and populations take water along the rivers until they dry up in the most thoughtless and greedy way, thinking only of themselves. It terrifies me.

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

Respect. Teach and learn respect for what we have influence over.
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