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

January 11, 2007

Alexandre de Lichtervelde

Belgian Federal Ministry of Environment

Today's Date: 11 January 2007

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

Watching blue whales and sperm whales in the Arctic Ocean.

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

Woods and rivers.

Now? The ocean and the mountains in South America.

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

Dogs for domestic animals because they stay with you when you are studying; wild horses for their beauty and liberty.

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?

Climate change now and biodiversity loss in the near future.

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

Go out everyday and try to connect yourself to nature to get inspiration. Open your eyes when traveling: so much is happening regarding the environment.

Paula Fitzsimmons

PJ Publications and Gifts (http://www.pjpublications.com)

Today’s Date: 1/10/07

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

I have had several, but one that particularly comes to mind is the first time I saw dolphins swimming in the ocean. It was early morning, and the sun was just coming up, and they were very close to shore. I was in awe of the magnificence of the ocean and the dolphins.

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

I grew up in the city so there were not a whole lot of outdoorsy places, aside from forest preserves and public parks. I liked it when our family would take rides in the country.

Now? Not really a favorite; there are several.

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

Parrots.. because they are a link to our natural world; their beauty; their intuitiveness; their flying ability; their intelligence; their sociability.

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?

There are many, but I would say global warming is a big challenge now, and will continue to be in the future. It will have many repercussions on our environment, animals, and us. Great damage has already been done, and I believe it will take a lot of effort on the part of our government and business, to stop the damage we have done. Although we are being made aware of global warming and its effects, I'm not sure much is being done to remedy it. A second major challenge would be extinction of species, especially of birds.

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

Understand that we humans are a part of nature, not separate from it.