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

January 23, 2008

Charlene Johnson

Minister of Environment and Conservation – Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

Today’s Date: 16 January 2008

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

My interaction with forests had the most profound impact as I ended up in the field of forest engineering.

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

The hiking trails behind the school I attended

Now? Signal Hill walking trail

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

Monkey as it acts similar to humans and its paternalistic nature

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?

Both now and in the future the biggest challenge will be reducing greenhouse gases.

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

Big or small, we can all have an impact!


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Alona Yefimenko

Indigenous Peoples’ Secretariat – Arctic Council

Today’s Date: 15 January 2008

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

The biggest impact was when I visited my father at his reindeer camp at age 9-10. We have been moving very often from one place to another in searching for the good pastures. When we were not moving, we were playing or sewing. I still remember how happy I was far from the civilization.

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

Tundra or forest, river or lake

Now? The same, but in a different dimension

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

My favourite animals are reindeer and a gopher (we had many of them around our herds).

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 is difficult to predict your life schedule with the weather change. The greatest challenge will be to adapt to a new environmental conditions (new species, new housing, new places).

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

Think of new generations
Respect aboriginal lands
Give more and take less



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The Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP

Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs – Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) - UK

Today’s Date: 17 January 2008

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

Having a stick insect when I was little

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

The view of Osea Island on the River Blackwater

Now? The same!

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

No answer given

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?

Preventing dangerous climate change

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

Look after it and you marvel at its beauty


Received via postal mail