Charlie Toledo

Director/Suscol Intertribal Council

Today's Date:2/2/2007

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

Lizard jumping at my head at night campfire. Also Humming bird circling me at auspicious moments all my life.

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

Just the desert backyard. Created a whole cosmology w/my siblings staring at Sandia Crest and expansive blue sky of Albq., New Mexico

Now? All the hills, rivers and ocean I visit and work at in Northern California

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

Elephant, due to many recurring dreams and eventual trip to Africa where an entourage of all gender, all ages elephants crossed our path and huge male bull trumpeted our journey into "camp". The elephant is matriarchal, tribal; they bury their dead and care for their young as a group. All these are some of the reasons why I love elephants.

But my most favorite animal or insect is the one that is closest to me at the moment whether it be squirrel clicking at me through bedroom window, hawk whistling at me as I walk beneath it's tree or circling me in ceremony at sunrise, or the ant that is waving to me from the edge of my car to tell me "pay attention to the little things."

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?

To pay attention to the little things water, air awareness of all species of life all are one air, one water. Survival of our greedy and overpopulated species will be the biggest challenge of the near future. Clean Water, clean air w/out these things we cannot live.

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

Walk!