Dr. Linda Olsvig-Whittaker

Coordinator of Scientific Data - Israel Nature and Parks Authority

Today’s Date: 9 April 2008

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

Weekend hikes with my father while growing up; they made a naturalist of me.

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

Forest in general, wherever I happened to be. There were various state parks in my area, as well as woodlots.

Now? Still forest, but we don’t' have much in Israel. The Nahal Sorek nature reserve near my home is probably my favorite. Since it took the sewage of Jerusalem until about ten years ago, the canyon was never developed. Today it is the closest natural area to my home, and it does have riverine forest.

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

Cats, probably. I always had them. Now I have 15 of them. I am very good with animals, and especially with cats.

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?

1. Now: overpopulation. 2. Later: overpopulation.

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

Don't have more than two kids. One is preferable.