Don Bosch

The Evangelical Ecologist Blog (www.evangelicalecologist.com)

Today's Date: 6 Jan 07

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

Growing up I felt as many youth do - I was on the outside of life looking in and disconnected from the Christian home in which I had been raised. I was on a high school church youth retreat to the Oregon Coast. That evening I heard for the first time that Christ loved me, died for me, had a purpose for my life, and would return some day to judge the world. I sat the next day on a high Pacific cliff and was overwhelmed by how small I was and how immense the ocean before me was. At that moment the Lord spoke to my heart and reminded me that while He had created all of this He still loved me personally. I responded by giving my heart to Him. I have no doubt God used that moment in nature to bring that realization of how much He loved me. That thought has become a hallmark of what I try to do with The Evangelical Ecologist and as my calling in life in general.

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

The mountains around Puget Sound, Washington State. My dad took us hiking every summer, sometimes in the North Cascades along the Pacific Crest Trail, sometimes in the Olympic rain forest. Unforgettable.

Now? Fell in love with east county San Diego near Lake Cuyamacca while living near there recently, and I can't imagine living anywhere away from the ocean.

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

Hard to pick a favorite - our gang loves zoos and all the critters in them. Have had a membership at the San Diego Zoo for years. My favorite is probably reef aquariums. We loved our years in Guam and the chance to dive on miles of reefs. Could sit and stare at a reef tank for hours.

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?

It's the same challenge - working with the emerging second- and third-world (the Middle East, China and Africa specifically) to skip the pollution we created in our industrial age and move directly into cleaner, more sustainable energy. We have to do this with sound economic development policies, and without creating global bureaucracies that sap resources.

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

God created our beautiful, amazing world, and desires that mankind be careful stewards of it. Regardless of political leanings or geo-economic situations, we can get a lot of good things done in ecology if we keep this notion of stewardship (vice ownership) foremost in mind, and remember that we need a relationship with Christ if we're going to have the wisdom to succeed in this.