Kristina Sherman

Project Administrator for the Tibetan Nuns Project

Today’s Date: July 17, 2008

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

While growing up we almost always had a garden so I was able to directly connect what I ate with where it came from. At one residence we had over 500 acres of pristine woods behind our house and that was my sanctuary and play area. As an adult I live in the city and have little access to forest and woods but find a deep longing is satisfied and I find bliss and spiritual centering when I do go camping or hiking. It feels like my heart's home. My sanctuary now is my small organic garden.

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

Camping in the Lower BC mainland before Whistler was built.

Now? Camping in the north central Cascade Mountains. I was also fortunate to take a trip to the Peruvian Amazon several years ago and that will always remain in my heart as a place of great peace and inspiration.

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

We now have domesticated cats that are more like our children (we are childless) and I love meerkats and river otters. Both are adorable and have amazing community/family relationships.

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?

The greatest challenge I see now is overpopulation/reduction of resources and pollution in all parts of the globe. In the future I think our greatest challenge will be to just have food shelter and water.

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

Humans and the environment are integrally connected. What we are doing to our earth, while we may not see the immediate impacts, will impact all life on earth in a way that will eventually destroy all life on earth. We need to think of the earth as our body. We don't want to poison our bodies so why would we poison our environment?

“Thank you for your research. I pray what you are doing will help progress in the right direction. Bless you.”