Rick Herren

Environmental Specialist - Indian River County (FL)

Today’s Date: 19 March 2008

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

When I was around 12 years old, my parents took us on a canoe trip to the Boundary Waters in Ontario Canada. We spent 10 days canoeing and camping in the wild and saw incredible things. Although I had been camping before, I had never been so remotely removed from civilization. I absolutely loved it (even when I was getting soaked by rain).

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

Yes. We had a large field and woods behind our neighborhood. I spent many hours hiking, building tree houses and watching wildlife.

Now? The ocean. Surfing, sailing and diving.

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

That's a hard one. I think it would have to be the spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari). I have caught many of them as by-catch in turtle nets and observed them swimming and jumping out of the water. They are very unique and make me laugh.

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 loss of space, species diversity and the lack of understanding of biological principles.

Future: Controlling the human population.

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

Everyone is a part of it. When we harm the environment, we are harming ourselves. Which means, if you take the argument further, it becomes a problem between people. There are people who do not care about themselves or others. I believe we need a humanistic approach to solve this.