Kristy L. Sullivan

Preschool Teacher, Environmental Educator and MOM

Today’s Date: April 9, 2008

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

I've had many animals come and go in my lifetime. A couple of the most memorable include a baby skunk we raised when I was 5 (its mother was hit by a car) and when I worked at the zoo in Watertown, the staff took turns taking home and caring for a baby porcupine. That was a very sticky situation, but caring for that noisy critter during night feedings gave me a wee glimpse into those nights where I'd be up with my own babies.

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

My family owned a summer home near the Adirondacks that was also near our great uncle's farm. We spent most of our summers there catching frogs in the pond, building lean-tos with left-over branches while Dad cut wood in the forest, and early springs gathering sap with Uncle Fred to boil down for syrup. Most of my appreciation for nature stemmed from those early experiences... from birth.

Now? Now my husband and I live on a farm with our own sugarbush and fields and rivers to play in. We are so glad that our children can have those same opportunities as we did growing up to get outside and explore... and work a little too.

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

My favorite animal is the common loon. I love being by an Adirondack lake and hearing the eerie love songs from this majestic bird as they echo across the waters.

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?

I have to follow in Richard Louv's shoes on this question and say the greatest challenge is nature deficit disorder. We cannot even begin to touch some of the more pronounced problems like global warming or cures for diseases if today's teens and children, our future scientists, aren't connected to their roots. They need to understand and appreciate our rich God-given resources.

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

Get out and PLAY! And get your children out to play!