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.
Thanks to my sister Michelle McIlroy for designing the logo!
August 30, 2006
Cheryl Kortemeier
Director of Communications and Administration, Trees Atlanta
Today's Date: 8/30/06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I have fond memories of camping at Cumberland Island (Georgia) as a child. I can still remember seeing armadillos and alligators for the first time, and the smell of the air there was very “specific”—not unlike rotten eggs.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The creek down the street from my house.
Now? AuTrain, Michigan. It is a beautiful area of the Upper Peninsula that offers lots of great spots for outdoor recreation and enjoying beautiful vistas.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Pika. I saw several while hiking in Colorado as a child, and they were adorable. I was fascinated by this “elusive” animal, because they do not live in Georgia.
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?
Currently, I think air pollution is the biggest challenge. In the future, I think air and water management will continue to be great challenges worldwide.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Be respectful. Know that every action you take each day impacts the world around you.
Today's Date: 8/30/06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I have fond memories of camping at Cumberland Island (Georgia) as a child. I can still remember seeing armadillos and alligators for the first time, and the smell of the air there was very “specific”—not unlike rotten eggs.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The creek down the street from my house.
Now? AuTrain, Michigan. It is a beautiful area of the Upper Peninsula that offers lots of great spots for outdoor recreation and enjoying beautiful vistas.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Pika. I saw several while hiking in Colorado as a child, and they were adorable. I was fascinated by this “elusive” animal, because they do not live in Georgia.
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?
Currently, I think air pollution is the biggest challenge. In the future, I think air and water management will continue to be great challenges worldwide.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Be respectful. Know that every action you take each day impacts the world around you.
Johnson Bradley Bridgwater
Director of Conservation Outreach, WildShare International
Today's Date: 8-30-06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
The first animal that resonated with me was the pileated woodpecker-- HUGE and so distinct. The first plant I remember was the Yellow Lady Slipper. Both of these were in my own backyard, as I grew up in a woodlands outside of Apple Valley, Minnesota before it was developed. I spent every day and most evenings wandering the woods, often with my father who was an ornithologist and zoo director. As a testament to the area's natural power, I returned last year to visit my childhood home, and discovered the whole area had been preserved and set aside as part of a unique high school that specializes in ecological study programs.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes, the northern woods of Minnesota.
Now? El Cielo Biosphere Reserve in Tamaulipas, Mexico.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Owls. Apart from their piercing eyes and seductive calls, it is because they are present everywhere, and yet rarely seen. For me, this should be an ideal for humans-- make as little impact on the natural world as possible while doing your part for the ecosystem.
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?
Plain and simple, non-sustainable development. Earth is one huge equation, and currently the input and output are terribly out of balance. This will continue to be the greatest challenge until an entirely new mind-set can be instilled in humanity.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
TAKE YOUR CHILDREN CAMPING, and ensure they have a deep connection to the land.
Today's Date: 8-30-06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
The first animal that resonated with me was the pileated woodpecker-- HUGE and so distinct. The first plant I remember was the Yellow Lady Slipper. Both of these were in my own backyard, as I grew up in a woodlands outside of Apple Valley, Minnesota before it was developed. I spent every day and most evenings wandering the woods, often with my father who was an ornithologist and zoo director. As a testament to the area's natural power, I returned last year to visit my childhood home, and discovered the whole area had been preserved and set aside as part of a unique high school that specializes in ecological study programs.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes, the northern woods of Minnesota.
Now? El Cielo Biosphere Reserve in Tamaulipas, Mexico.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Owls. Apart from their piercing eyes and seductive calls, it is because they are present everywhere, and yet rarely seen. For me, this should be an ideal for humans-- make as little impact on the natural world as possible while doing your part for the ecosystem.
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?
Plain and simple, non-sustainable development. Earth is one huge equation, and currently the input and output are terribly out of balance. This will continue to be the greatest challenge until an entirely new mind-set can be instilled in humanity.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
TAKE YOUR CHILDREN CAMPING, and ensure they have a deep connection to the land.
Kim Forrest
Wildlife Refuge Manager/U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Today's Date: 30 Aug 06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Releasing an endangered species back into the wild.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Back country of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, CA.
Now? That, and the Okavango Delta of Botswana, Africa.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Cheetah. I love cats, and this one is so unique and special!
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?
Development (both urban and agricultural); spurred by population growth.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Do everything humanly possible to protect what's left!
Today's Date: 30 Aug 06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Releasing an endangered species back into the wild.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Back country of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, CA.
Now? That, and the Okavango Delta of Botswana, Africa.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Cheetah. I love cats, and this one is so unique and special!
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?
Development (both urban and agricultural); spurred by population growth.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Do everything humanly possible to protect what's left!
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