Cathy Hopkins

Director, St Helena National Trust

Today's Date: 25 August 2006

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

Growing up in the south of England and enjoying bird watching with my Father, holidaying on the coast and experiencing the power of the sea.

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

South Devon coast. A small cove which was always sheltered from the wind and calm enough to swim in!

Now? The Peaks of St Helena - ridges which are covered with endemic species particularly the tree ferns.

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

The cat - have always had a cat - currently a Lilac pointed Siamese.

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 brought about by man's greed! We know how to contain the threat but industry rules the politician and therefore measures which could have been taken in the early 60s were left and are still left undone. Too much rhetoric but too little action!

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

Remember that we are only tenants and that what we have now and what we do to it , we leave for future generations.