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

February 09, 2007

Nicola Barnard

International Coral Reef Action Network

Today's Date: 09.02.07

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

Seeing wild baby black tip reef sharks feeding in a lagoon in western Australia.

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

Osea Island, UK

Now? Vancouver Island, Canada

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

Tough one. Dogs - for their boundless energy and companionship.

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 has to be climate change for both. This will affect every aspect of our ecosystems and our lives - food availability, development and economy, leisure, travel, health, governance etc. The lag time on the effects means that this should be our primary focus now.

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

learn from those who have nothing - become more resourceful and try not to waste unnecessarily.

Peter Dann

Phillip Island Nature Park

Today's Date: 7 Feb 2007

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

Many but reading “Tarka the Otter” as a child is one

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

Yes, my grandparents’ farm

Now? [no answer given]

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

Kookaburra-long association with them.

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?

Human population expansion and growth

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

Reduce human population sizes