Private citizen
Today’s Date: 17 January 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Catching freshwater turtles in Wisconsin as a kid, sneaking up on them as they were sunning on logs with water up to my neck.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The lake near the arboretum in Madison.
Now? A disused lime stone mine of 100ha size on prime property in Malmö, as no one has access and several wilderness birds such as Raven and Peregrine breed in it (subject of my coming book).
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Curlew Sandpiper Calidirs ferruginea , beautiful bird, migrates long distances and finds its way so it appears in the same place at the same date on its migration, ecologically interesting. Of non-birds, gorillas.
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?
Maintaining a chain of good habitats for those migratory birds that use different habitats depending on their life phase and making sure that those animals that are dependant on one type of habitat will not see it fragmented and preventing exchange between populations. This incorporates the big problem, the imbalance between conservation of nature and human survival in developing countries.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
No answer given
Thanks to my sister Michelle McIlroy for designing the logo!
January 21, 2009
January 14, 2009
Joanna C.
University of Calgary, Dept of Biol. Sci.
Today’s Date: 13 January 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
TOUGH ONE TO ANSWER. PROBABLY WORKING WITH SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS FOR MY MSC. MINE WAS THE FIRST PROJECT TO STUDY THEIR URBAN ECOLOGY, I EXAMINED THEIR USE OF NESTING HABITAT, EXPOSURE TO ORGANOCHLORINES AND BREEDING SUCCESS.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
NOT EXACTLY, BUT I PLAYED OUTSIDE A LOT, IN PARTICULAR, LOVED MAKING SNOW FORTS, AND GOING TOBOGANNING.
Now? NOW THAT I'VE TRAVELED, I LOVE SO MANY PLACES, BUT CURRENTLY I'M REALLY INTO BEING IN THE ROCKIES, GOING SKIING, HIKING, AND ANYWHERE IN THE BOW RIVER VALLEY, WHICH IS WHERE I AM CONDUCTING MY CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECT
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
TOUGH ONE TO ANSWER TOO - I SUPPOSE CURRENTLY, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE THE HOARY BAT, WHICH IS ONE OF THE SPECIES I'M WORKING WITH. BUT I REALLY LOVE ALL WILDLIFE, AND IT'S HARD TO CHOOSE.
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?
DECREASING OUR RELIANCE ON FOSSIL FUELS.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
THE EXACT SAME PIECE OF ADVICE THAT IS MY EMAIL SIGNATURE, AND WHICH APPEARS VERY SIMILAR TO YOURS AS WELL. AN OLD FIRST NATIONS PROVERB SAYS: TREAT THE EARTH WELL, IT WAS NOT GIVEN TO YOU BY YOUR PARENTS - IT WAS LOANED TO YOU BY YOUR CHILDREN.
Today’s Date: 13 January 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
TOUGH ONE TO ANSWER. PROBABLY WORKING WITH SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS FOR MY MSC. MINE WAS THE FIRST PROJECT TO STUDY THEIR URBAN ECOLOGY, I EXAMINED THEIR USE OF NESTING HABITAT, EXPOSURE TO ORGANOCHLORINES AND BREEDING SUCCESS.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
NOT EXACTLY, BUT I PLAYED OUTSIDE A LOT, IN PARTICULAR, LOVED MAKING SNOW FORTS, AND GOING TOBOGANNING.
Now? NOW THAT I'VE TRAVELED, I LOVE SO MANY PLACES, BUT CURRENTLY I'M REALLY INTO BEING IN THE ROCKIES, GOING SKIING, HIKING, AND ANYWHERE IN THE BOW RIVER VALLEY, WHICH IS WHERE I AM CONDUCTING MY CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECT
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
TOUGH ONE TO ANSWER TOO - I SUPPOSE CURRENTLY, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE THE HOARY BAT, WHICH IS ONE OF THE SPECIES I'M WORKING WITH. BUT I REALLY LOVE ALL WILDLIFE, AND IT'S HARD TO CHOOSE.
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?
DECREASING OUR RELIANCE ON FOSSIL FUELS.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
THE EXACT SAME PIECE OF ADVICE THAT IS MY EMAIL SIGNATURE, AND WHICH APPEARS VERY SIMILAR TO YOURS AS WELL. AN OLD FIRST NATIONS PROVERB SAYS: TREAT THE EARTH WELL, IT WAS NOT GIVEN TO YOU BY YOUR PARENTS - IT WAS LOANED TO YOU BY YOUR CHILDREN.
LadySapphire22
from www.wildlifegardeners.org
Retired Dr, Master Gardener
Today's Date: 14 January 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
As an adult gardener I watch bees pollinating plants as well as chatting with an older neighbor who raised bees and had an epiphany. I sudden realized just how important these marvelous insects are to our entire food chain.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Reading books in the rain in my tree house.
Now? I especially like visiting the National Arboretum in Washington, DC
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I like bears.
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?
Helping improve the environment and helping to educate people on using more earth and people friendly ways to do so.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
What is your carbon footprint? What can you do to make it smaller?
Retired Dr, Master Gardener
Today's Date: 14 January 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
As an adult gardener I watch bees pollinating plants as well as chatting with an older neighbor who raised bees and had an epiphany. I sudden realized just how important these marvelous insects are to our entire food chain.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Reading books in the rain in my tree house.
Now? I especially like visiting the National Arboretum in Washington, DC
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I like bears.
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?
Helping improve the environment and helping to educate people on using more earth and people friendly ways to do so.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
What is your carbon footprint? What can you do to make it smaller?
~Sage~
from www.wildlifegardeners.org
Today's Date: 14 January 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I was also a passenger in a car which hit a deer that jumped out of the wooded area along the dirt road and onto the car hood. I was shaking and inconsolable for days. The deer are so vulnerable to the effects of people and development.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
During my childhood I spent from spring to fall out in the county, exploring the woods and creeks with my cousins. My grandfather studied wildflowers, trees, fungi, etc., and gave us standing assignments to learn three new ones daily, including the Latin names and have examples of bark, leaves, flowers. He provided us with ID books and taught us photography too.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Pandas because they are irresistible.
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?
Development, chemicals and plastics.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
RESPECT NATURE
Today's Date: 14 January 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I was also a passenger in a car which hit a deer that jumped out of the wooded area along the dirt road and onto the car hood. I was shaking and inconsolable for days. The deer are so vulnerable to the effects of people and development.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
During my childhood I spent from spring to fall out in the county, exploring the woods and creeks with my cousins. My grandfather studied wildflowers, trees, fungi, etc., and gave us standing assignments to learn three new ones daily, including the Latin names and have examples of bark, leaves, flowers. He provided us with ID books and taught us photography too.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Pandas because they are irresistible.
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?
Development, chemicals and plastics.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
RESPECT NATURE
Michelle Clay
Game Artist and Designer, Turbine Inc.
Today's Date: 1/14/09
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
See below
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
My favorite childhood place and the encounter with nature that had the biggest impact on me are one and the same: I used to live in a house with a wooded back yard that backed up to a large power easement. The power easement was a meadow that offered a place for everyone on our side of the street to have gardens, play sports, dig holes, investigate plants and animals, and go sledding. It offered access to the woods, creeks, and a stand of bamboo. In retrospect, I see now that the space unified our community and gave us a wide swath of nature, while also filling the function of delivering electricity. It exemplifies the permaculture value that everything must have multiple functions.
Though, to answer the first question further, I had an encounter with an elephant while visiting Ahmadabad, India. At the end of a long and uncomfortable day, I found myself in an empty lot helping to decorate floats for a religious procession. In a corner of the lot, largely ignored, was an elephant, who was to be featured in the procession. The elephant’s keeper was asleep nearby, and nothing was there to prevent people from walking right up to the animal, so I carefully approached and handed her some grass from her feed pile. Standing in front of, and touching, an animal who loomed above me and who could have easily killed me, I was overwhelmed with emotion. There she stood, majestic, and at complete odds with her surroundings. There in that dark and grubby lot, it was as if a god had been forgotten by humanity. How could we treat something so profound as if it were ordinary?
Now? Now, my favorite place in the outdoors is my own yard. In the front, it is a standard suburban lot; in the back, it is a wooded wetland backing up to an estuary of the Charles river. I love that it is both a wild and undeveloped place, in which I can observe native flora and fauna, and that it is a standard boring suburban plot that I can work at turning into something better.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I had to stop and think about this question – and it turns out that I don’t have a favorite animal. I tend to be enthralled by whatever living thing is in front of me at the time.
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 facing us now is the same challenge that will continue to face us for as long as humanity dominates the planet: how can we as a species prosper sustainably in harmony with the natural systems around us?
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
The one piece of advice that I would like to share with everyone is to think about the things that come into your area of influence. Where did it come from? How much energy was used to make it, and where did that energy come from? What will happen to it when you are done with it? How and when will it decompose, and what will it decompose into? Will this leave behind a mess for someone else to deal with?
Today's Date: 1/14/09
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
See below
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
My favorite childhood place and the encounter with nature that had the biggest impact on me are one and the same: I used to live in a house with a wooded back yard that backed up to a large power easement. The power easement was a meadow that offered a place for everyone on our side of the street to have gardens, play sports, dig holes, investigate plants and animals, and go sledding. It offered access to the woods, creeks, and a stand of bamboo. In retrospect, I see now that the space unified our community and gave us a wide swath of nature, while also filling the function of delivering electricity. It exemplifies the permaculture value that everything must have multiple functions.
Though, to answer the first question further, I had an encounter with an elephant while visiting Ahmadabad, India. At the end of a long and uncomfortable day, I found myself in an empty lot helping to decorate floats for a religious procession. In a corner of the lot, largely ignored, was an elephant, who was to be featured in the procession. The elephant’s keeper was asleep nearby, and nothing was there to prevent people from walking right up to the animal, so I carefully approached and handed her some grass from her feed pile. Standing in front of, and touching, an animal who loomed above me and who could have easily killed me, I was overwhelmed with emotion. There she stood, majestic, and at complete odds with her surroundings. There in that dark and grubby lot, it was as if a god had been forgotten by humanity. How could we treat something so profound as if it were ordinary?
Now? Now, my favorite place in the outdoors is my own yard. In the front, it is a standard suburban lot; in the back, it is a wooded wetland backing up to an estuary of the Charles river. I love that it is both a wild and undeveloped place, in which I can observe native flora and fauna, and that it is a standard boring suburban plot that I can work at turning into something better.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I had to stop and think about this question – and it turns out that I don’t have a favorite animal. I tend to be enthralled by whatever living thing is in front of me at the time.
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 facing us now is the same challenge that will continue to face us for as long as humanity dominates the planet: how can we as a species prosper sustainably in harmony with the natural systems around us?
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
The one piece of advice that I would like to share with everyone is to think about the things that come into your area of influence. Where did it come from? How much energy was used to make it, and where did that energy come from? What will happen to it when you are done with it? How and when will it decompose, and what will it decompose into? Will this leave behind a mess for someone else to deal with?
doccat5
Retired/Federal Worker
Today's Date: 13 January 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
DH and I have use organic growing methods on fruit/nut trees and vegetables for over 20 years. Until recently we've had little problem with "pests". However, this last season both deer and squirrels were a bit of a problem. There has been some major development in the surrounding area and much of their habitat has been disturbed. I forsee having to install a deer fence at least if we are going to have a decent vegetable garden. So far using scents and bitter tasting sprays have keep the damage to a minimum.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
I grew up in Nebraska. I think my cousin's 1000 acre dairy farm was one of my favorite places to go. I use to spend at least a month in the summer there with my other cousins, just roaming about and exploring the area. We would go pheasant and squirrel hunting in the cottonwoods he had planted in the fall. Lots of good memories there.
Now? Normally my own yard. But we do make an annual trip to the Blue Ridge to see the fall colors.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Siberian Tigers...I saw one at the zone in Minneapolis when I was in college. Huge male, he was so beautiful and so impressive.
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?
Sensible use of our available resources, cleaning up the messes we've made to our water supplies, educating ourselves on how each one of us impacts our environment. I see our biggest challenge as trying to stay on track by encouraging our best and brightest to come up with best use of alternative resources, making the affordable for everyone.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Educate yourself, be you're own advocate and take responsibility for understanding how to protect yourself and others from making bad decisions.
Don't be afraid to "rock" the bureaucratic boat! Organize your friends and neighbor and fight back on bad policy and use of dangerous insecticides, pesticides in your area.
Today's Date: 13 January 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
DH and I have use organic growing methods on fruit/nut trees and vegetables for over 20 years. Until recently we've had little problem with "pests". However, this last season both deer and squirrels were a bit of a problem. There has been some major development in the surrounding area and much of their habitat has been disturbed. I forsee having to install a deer fence at least if we are going to have a decent vegetable garden. So far using scents and bitter tasting sprays have keep the damage to a minimum.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
I grew up in Nebraska. I think my cousin's 1000 acre dairy farm was one of my favorite places to go. I use to spend at least a month in the summer there with my other cousins, just roaming about and exploring the area. We would go pheasant and squirrel hunting in the cottonwoods he had planted in the fall. Lots of good memories there.
Now? Normally my own yard. But we do make an annual trip to the Blue Ridge to see the fall colors.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Siberian Tigers...I saw one at the zone in Minneapolis when I was in college. Huge male, he was so beautiful and so impressive.
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?
Sensible use of our available resources, cleaning up the messes we've made to our water supplies, educating ourselves on how each one of us impacts our environment. I see our biggest challenge as trying to stay on track by encouraging our best and brightest to come up with best use of alternative resources, making the affordable for everyone.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Educate yourself, be you're own advocate and take responsibility for understanding how to protect yourself and others from making bad decisions.
Don't be afraid to "rock" the bureaucratic boat! Organize your friends and neighbor and fight back on bad policy and use of dangerous insecticides, pesticides in your area.
January 12, 2009
TheLorax
Private citizen
Today's Date: 12 January 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Hitting a deer with my car. I tried to avoid hitting it and swerved but I still hit it. I cried when I watched it die in the road and nobody came along to put it out of its misery and I didn't have it in me to kill it. Horrible experience. I have never forgotten it. When the police officer finally came, it had died.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
A little fort out of boxes and old plywood in the middle of a forest.
Now? Any natural area.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
People first. I'm a people person. The bat next. They're so incredibly vulnerable.
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?
Educating the public.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Be humble.
Today's Date: 12 January 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Hitting a deer with my car. I tried to avoid hitting it and swerved but I still hit it. I cried when I watched it die in the road and nobody came along to put it out of its misery and I didn't have it in me to kill it. Horrible experience. I have never forgotten it. When the police officer finally came, it had died.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
A little fort out of boxes and old plywood in the middle of a forest.
Now? Any natural area.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
People first. I'm a people person. The bat next. They're so incredibly vulnerable.
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?
Educating the public.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Be humble.
David Crites
Private citizen
Today's Date: 12 January 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
With an animal, I would have to say our first family pet "Lindbergh." He was a big Golden Retriever that lived with us for 14 years. Both my wife and I refer to him as our "first born."
In nature, it would be the area where I grew up. I was born and raised in Southern Illinois in the middle of the Shawnee National Forest. I spent every free moment of my time hiking, camping, climbing, canoeing, etc.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
As mentioned above, Shawnee National Forest.
Now? Isle Royale National Park
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
The Wolf, and I am not sure why. I have spent a great deal of time studing them especially on Isle Royale.
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?
Loss of habitat. I think in the future lack of fresh water may become a huge problem.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Get out there and experience it. I think if we can get more people to experience everything nature has to offer, there will be plenty of people that will do anything to protect it.
Today's Date: 12 January 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
With an animal, I would have to say our first family pet "Lindbergh." He was a big Golden Retriever that lived with us for 14 years. Both my wife and I refer to him as our "first born."
In nature, it would be the area where I grew up. I was born and raised in Southern Illinois in the middle of the Shawnee National Forest. I spent every free moment of my time hiking, camping, climbing, canoeing, etc.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
As mentioned above, Shawnee National Forest.
Now? Isle Royale National Park
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
The Wolf, and I am not sure why. I have spent a great deal of time studing them especially on Isle Royale.
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?
Loss of habitat. I think in the future lack of fresh water may become a huge problem.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Get out there and experience it. I think if we can get more people to experience everything nature has to offer, there will be plenty of people that will do anything to protect it.
Mel Enright
Private citizen
Today’s Date: 7 December 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
my dogs, they have improved the quality of both mine and my husband’s lives
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
my family home backed onto a creek and open paddocks where I and all my friends kept our horses, it was wonderful.
Now? Double Island Point, a sand Island near Fraser Island in Queensland, Australia. Our family camped on the beach there every year when the kids were growing up, it was amazing, sunrises over the ocean watching pods of dolphins playing in the surf. In the winter we had the whole stretch of beach to our selves, its my favorite place in the world
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Orangutan, because they are so caring and sensitive to each other, their like watching little children, so innocent and beautiful.
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 deforestation of the rainforests. the extinction of many rainforest species, decline in air quality, change in weather patterns and lack of rain
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Be aware of what you are putting into your shopping trolley because you could be unwittingly supporting the destruction of natural habitats/rainforests without being aware of it. consumers have power with their shopping dollars I wish they would research what their money is supporting.
Today’s Date: 7 December 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
my dogs, they have improved the quality of both mine and my husband’s lives
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
my family home backed onto a creek and open paddocks where I and all my friends kept our horses, it was wonderful.
Now? Double Island Point, a sand Island near Fraser Island in Queensland, Australia. Our family camped on the beach there every year when the kids were growing up, it was amazing, sunrises over the ocean watching pods of dolphins playing in the surf. In the winter we had the whole stretch of beach to our selves, its my favorite place in the world
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Orangutan, because they are so caring and sensitive to each other, their like watching little children, so innocent and beautiful.
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 deforestation of the rainforests. the extinction of many rainforest species, decline in air quality, change in weather patterns and lack of rain
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Be aware of what you are putting into your shopping trolley because you could be unwittingly supporting the destruction of natural habitats/rainforests without being aware of it. consumers have power with their shopping dollars I wish they would research what their money is supporting.
John Reeves
Interpretive Park Ranger - National Park Service
Today’s Date: 23 December 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Had a mother black bear brush me passing by on a trail in the Yosemite NP highcountry.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Anywhere in the wild
Now? Same. Now very into caves.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Bats. Cute and misunderstood. Awesome creatures.
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?
Maintaining biodiversity now, later, not rendering ourselves extinct (the world will recover and be fine).
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Love one another. We do not need all the shit they try to sell us, we just need each other.
Today’s Date: 23 December 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Had a mother black bear brush me passing by on a trail in the Yosemite NP highcountry.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Anywhere in the wild
Now? Same. Now very into caves.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Bats. Cute and misunderstood. Awesome creatures.
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?
Maintaining biodiversity now, later, not rendering ourselves extinct (the world will recover and be fine).
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Love one another. We do not need all the shit they try to sell us, we just need each other.
Paj YoungBlood
Wellness Intuitive and coach, Naturopath
Today’s Date: 12 January 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Constant dreams of White Sperm Whales And Having A dog for 20 years.
Honey Bear big female mix chow. Having a beloved pet that long teaches one a lot about unconditional love.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Outside in the woods behind my parents’ house. I had mountains and creeks and four leaf clover and tall trees to climb. My father had built us kids a tree house that reached the skies on clear days.
Now? Smokey Mountains
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Growing up in Atlanta, I have to say Willie B, a gorilla, no the gorilla - was and is and always will be my only favorite animal in the zoo. Willie B went from living 24/7 in a small room with a tire swing and a little T.V. for fun - to living in one of the world's best Habitats. His home later was shared with 23 other Western lowland gorillas. Zoo Atlanta’s Ford African Rain Forest was one of North America’s first naturalistic gorilla habitats when it opened in 1989.
Before Willie got his new home, I recall, standing there as a mere child feeling horror and great shame, watching this awesome creature sitting in his concrete cage, looking bored and quite sad. Day in and day out for years. Years. To watch him wander outside for the first time was a joy the entire world joined in together. I realize that a real forest would have been the best place but considering where Willie B had came from-it was a true blessing.
It's terrible to think that we actually have to have places like this for the protection of these Great Gorillas.
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?
There is much that challenges us now. I think we might start Praying? Visualizing? For a giant evolutionary step for humankind's physical and mental status. One that allows much if not all of the assaults on ourselves to not affect us at all so they we might live. There is too much to straighten out… too many fools not caring about tomorrow.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Think about our children.
Today’s Date: 12 January 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Constant dreams of White Sperm Whales And Having A dog for 20 years.
Honey Bear big female mix chow. Having a beloved pet that long teaches one a lot about unconditional love.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Outside in the woods behind my parents’ house. I had mountains and creeks and four leaf clover and tall trees to climb. My father had built us kids a tree house that reached the skies on clear days.
Now? Smokey Mountains
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Growing up in Atlanta, I have to say Willie B, a gorilla, no the gorilla - was and is and always will be my only favorite animal in the zoo. Willie B went from living 24/7 in a small room with a tire swing and a little T.V. for fun - to living in one of the world's best Habitats. His home later was shared with 23 other Western lowland gorillas. Zoo Atlanta’s Ford African Rain Forest was one of North America’s first naturalistic gorilla habitats when it opened in 1989.
Before Willie got his new home, I recall, standing there as a mere child feeling horror and great shame, watching this awesome creature sitting in his concrete cage, looking bored and quite sad. Day in and day out for years. Years. To watch him wander outside for the first time was a joy the entire world joined in together. I realize that a real forest would have been the best place but considering where Willie B had came from-it was a true blessing.
It's terrible to think that we actually have to have places like this for the protection of these Great Gorillas.
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?
There is much that challenges us now. I think we might start Praying? Visualizing? For a giant evolutionary step for humankind's physical and mental status. One that allows much if not all of the assaults on ourselves to not affect us at all so they we might live. There is too much to straighten out… too many fools not caring about tomorrow.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Think about our children.
Dr Peter G.H. Evans
Director - Sea Watch Foundation
Today’s Date: 10 January 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
No single interaction, just a composite of encounters. The ones that come t mind include: a gyr falcon hunting little auks on an island in NW Greenland, vast seabird colonies on offshore islands (Agparssuit in Upernavik District, St Kilda in the Outer Hebrides, Sula Sgeir off North Scotland; Inishtearaght in SW Ireland), parrots calling over rain forest at dawn in Dominica, minke whales and a humpback lunge feeding in the Inner Hebrides, fifty humpbacks bubble netting in West Greenland, friendly gray whales with their calves in Baja California, a large school of bottlenose dolphins socialising off the Welsh coast, fin whales feeding in Pembrokeshire, SW Wales.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
1) The sandy shores of Llanddwyn Island off the coast of Anglesey, North Wales
2) The islands of Skye, Rum, Eigg and Muck from a mountain top on the west coast of Scotland
Now? 1) The coast of North West Greenland in Upernavik District
2) The mountain rain forests of the island of Dominica in the Eastern Caribbean
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
I don't have any single favourite animal, but my favourites include Risso's dolphin, minke whale, little auk, guillemots, red-necked and imperial parrots [Note from Jeremy- the red-necked and imperial parrots of Dominica are beautiful birds- I was lucky enough to see and hear both species while on a tropical ecology course trip to the island back in 1995 while I was in college]
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?
Continued degradation and loss of quality habitat for wildlife species - rainforests, coastal seas, polar environments are all examples. Habitat loss can result from many different types of pressure: direct removal, pollution, disturbance, impacts of climate change, etc.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Change our philosophy from a desire for sustained economic growth and per capita increase in resource exploitation to living a more modest and sustainable life with lower demands on resources.
Today’s Date: 10 January 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
No single interaction, just a composite of encounters. The ones that come t mind include: a gyr falcon hunting little auks on an island in NW Greenland, vast seabird colonies on offshore islands (Agparssuit in Upernavik District, St Kilda in the Outer Hebrides, Sula Sgeir off North Scotland; Inishtearaght in SW Ireland), parrots calling over rain forest at dawn in Dominica, minke whales and a humpback lunge feeding in the Inner Hebrides, fifty humpbacks bubble netting in West Greenland, friendly gray whales with their calves in Baja California, a large school of bottlenose dolphins socialising off the Welsh coast, fin whales feeding in Pembrokeshire, SW Wales.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
1) The sandy shores of Llanddwyn Island off the coast of Anglesey, North Wales
2) The islands of Skye, Rum, Eigg and Muck from a mountain top on the west coast of Scotland
Now? 1) The coast of North West Greenland in Upernavik District
2) The mountain rain forests of the island of Dominica in the Eastern Caribbean
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
I don't have any single favourite animal, but my favourites include Risso's dolphin, minke whale, little auk, guillemots, red-necked and imperial parrots [Note from Jeremy- the red-necked and imperial parrots of Dominica are beautiful birds- I was lucky enough to see and hear both species while on a tropical ecology course trip to the island back in 1995 while I was in college]
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?
Continued degradation and loss of quality habitat for wildlife species - rainforests, coastal seas, polar environments are all examples. Habitat loss can result from many different types of pressure: direct removal, pollution, disturbance, impacts of climate change, etc.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Change our philosophy from a desire for sustained economic growth and per capita increase in resource exploitation to living a more modest and sustainable life with lower demands on resources.
Mr. Jaime Bustillo, MSc.
Environmental education specialist independent consultant
Today’s Date: 10 January 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
All animals and nature in general, and freshwater and forest specifically.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Rivers and tropical cloud forests.
Now? Same
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
no favorite one but I work to protect beneficial bats, because they same functions in nature as bees and more, particularly in agric. production.
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?
Powerful nations irrespect for humanity and environment, generates more pollution, poverty and overpopulation in tropical world; all of course due to lack of environmental awareness because of lack of env. education at all levels.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
In general, work with nature/environment/plants/animals not against them because you are part of them and whatever you do to them you do it to yourself, bad or good. Specifically, powerful countries, respect Kyoto Protocol and other world agreements that protect the environment.
Today’s Date: 10 January 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
All animals and nature in general, and freshwater and forest specifically.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Rivers and tropical cloud forests.
Now? Same
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
no favorite one but I work to protect beneficial bats, because they same functions in nature as bees and more, particularly in agric. production.
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?
Powerful nations irrespect for humanity and environment, generates more pollution, poverty and overpopulation in tropical world; all of course due to lack of environmental awareness because of lack of env. education at all levels.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
In general, work with nature/environment/plants/animals not against them because you are part of them and whatever you do to them you do it to yourself, bad or good. Specifically, powerful countries, respect Kyoto Protocol and other world agreements that protect the environment.
Severus Tony Wibowo
kak Tony (that's bro in indonesian) / SMK Multistudi High School, UIB, UIB English Club, Teater Seru, Teater MHS
Today’s Date: 7 January 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
cat, when i still a kid, a coward brat and bully magnet, i'm not a very confidence with myself. one day, i saw a cat, wounded, but still walk tall and confidence at all time. i learn from that cat to be confidence and brave at all time. till today
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
hmm, let see, i love grassland, so if there's a big grassland, i'll do fine over there, under a tree, a breeze of wind, a small sunshine and lovely smell, plus a good book or a nap? that will be perfect day
Now? i still love grassland, but if i can smell a good air, whether it's in my cramped office or wide ocean or high plateau or even my small room, it's great already
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
cat, or her big feline groups. they are graceful, predator but a beautiful one. they are not killer, but they kill to eat and protect. hope i don't need to kill though in real life though...
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?
new energy source, sources if needed. earth's fat (that's oil) is not that good for the future (like human, earth without fat = sick earth, and sick earth = very sick human). so we need to find a source that are easy to use, affordable by even 3rd world country and underdeveloped countries, no harm side effect (or tolerable) and compatible with today's machinery (that's tough)
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
i'm no adviser (still 22 years old, i still need to accumulate exp before any advices), but if you insist... i still don't give advices, my families don't give any advices, we give examples, so just do simple things like throwing organic and recycle unorganic and little things like that, it's suffice already
Today’s Date: 7 January 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
cat, when i still a kid, a coward brat and bully magnet, i'm not a very confidence with myself. one day, i saw a cat, wounded, but still walk tall and confidence at all time. i learn from that cat to be confidence and brave at all time. till today
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
hmm, let see, i love grassland, so if there's a big grassland, i'll do fine over there, under a tree, a breeze of wind, a small sunshine and lovely smell, plus a good book or a nap? that will be perfect day
Now? i still love grassland, but if i can smell a good air, whether it's in my cramped office or wide ocean or high plateau or even my small room, it's great already
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
cat, or her big feline groups. they are graceful, predator but a beautiful one. they are not killer, but they kill to eat and protect. hope i don't need to kill though in real life though...
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?
new energy source, sources if needed. earth's fat (that's oil) is not that good for the future (like human, earth without fat = sick earth, and sick earth = very sick human). so we need to find a source that are easy to use, affordable by even 3rd world country and underdeveloped countries, no harm side effect (or tolerable) and compatible with today's machinery (that's tough)
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
i'm no adviser (still 22 years old, i still need to accumulate exp before any advices), but if you insist... i still don't give advices, my families don't give any advices, we give examples, so just do simple things like throwing organic and recycle unorganic and little things like that, it's suffice already
Chris Manos
At Work: Scientist II Chemist - Bausch & Lomb
At Home: Outdoorsman and Craftsman
Today’s Date: 6 January 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I grew up in the outdoors. My father was the director of a kids camp and I spent my summers outside, amidst the trees the grass, the birds, the animals. I have always felt tied to the land.
Two of the moments that I can relate as having huge impacts on my live took place in very different places. The first was when I first climbed Mt Mansfield, in Vermont, for the first time. Reaching the summit was a great experience, seeing the view, experiencing the spirit of the mountain, the spirits of the air. Other people were scattered about the mountaintop, some taking pictures, some sitting and just looking, others, curled up with their backs against a rock, reading. This is as it should be. Humankind in its natural element, nature. Outside and in touch with the land.
The second occurred this past summer in conjunction with a series of shamanism workshops. As homework we were to go out into a remote area and perform a 4 hour 'rock grinding', a type of vision quest. My friend and I went out, in the morning rain, finding spots in the wetlands, to sit. Birds swooped and perched nearby. Mosquitoes bit and ate and soon left me alone. Colors became more vivid, sound became like thunder. The voice of a chipmunk accompanied me throughout my journey, curiously approaching and looking, coming closer, looking, saying hello. Anyone who would have been watching would have seen me talking to that small creature as a friend and an equal.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Most definitely. The camp where I grew up was filled with hidden places, trails, both worn and secret. One of my favorites was a huge willow tree on the shores of the lake, its several trunks spreading out, forming a large protected area. I would sit there for hours, tossing rocks in the lake, playing, climbing, and just sitting.
Now? I have two favorite places as an adult. One is Mount Mansfield in Vermont. I have not been there in a long time and it is time for me to make another pilgrimage.
The second place is the wetlands at the end of Irondequoit Bay here in Rochester, where the Irondequoit Creek winds up through Ellison Park. I found the trails there 2 years ago, and this year have been exploring the waterways with my kayak. I have taken others to explore and they too have learned to treasure this area as something special.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
LOL I have to laugh. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a zoo keeper.
I find beauty in all animals. I don't know if I have a favorite, as each one has a certain calling to me. Each one has a gift and its own wisdom to impart.
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 environmental challenge is changing people's minds about the environment. I grew up in the 70's, being taught to "Give a Hoot! Don't Pollute!", to put trash in the trash cans, that the earth was a sacred place and we were it's keepers. These days, I am disgusted by the amount of trash that people just throw out of their car. People see the world as their trash can, and they believe that the trash they throw out won't harm the environment. People believe that coal power is "CLEAN" because the guy on TV tells them it is. When I was a kid (my gods I thought I would NEVER use that phrase) we had cartoons that promoted environmentalism and social consciousness. Now they promote violence and disposability.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Act now. Don't wait. Get reusable grocery bags and use them instead of plastic. Recycle everything you possibly can and put when you can't recycle in a proper receptacle. Mulch. Become active. Participate in Earth Day cleanups. Ride your bike whenever you can, instead of driving. Carry trash bags with you when you hike, and pick up the garbage. Boycott companies that refuse to use clean energy.
At Home: Outdoorsman and Craftsman
Today’s Date: 6 January 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I grew up in the outdoors. My father was the director of a kids camp and I spent my summers outside, amidst the trees the grass, the birds, the animals. I have always felt tied to the land.
Two of the moments that I can relate as having huge impacts on my live took place in very different places. The first was when I first climbed Mt Mansfield, in Vermont, for the first time. Reaching the summit was a great experience, seeing the view, experiencing the spirit of the mountain, the spirits of the air. Other people were scattered about the mountaintop, some taking pictures, some sitting and just looking, others, curled up with their backs against a rock, reading. This is as it should be. Humankind in its natural element, nature. Outside and in touch with the land.
The second occurred this past summer in conjunction with a series of shamanism workshops. As homework we were to go out into a remote area and perform a 4 hour 'rock grinding', a type of vision quest. My friend and I went out, in the morning rain, finding spots in the wetlands, to sit. Birds swooped and perched nearby. Mosquitoes bit and ate and soon left me alone. Colors became more vivid, sound became like thunder. The voice of a chipmunk accompanied me throughout my journey, curiously approaching and looking, coming closer, looking, saying hello. Anyone who would have been watching would have seen me talking to that small creature as a friend and an equal.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Most definitely. The camp where I grew up was filled with hidden places, trails, both worn and secret. One of my favorites was a huge willow tree on the shores of the lake, its several trunks spreading out, forming a large protected area. I would sit there for hours, tossing rocks in the lake, playing, climbing, and just sitting.
Now? I have two favorite places as an adult. One is Mount Mansfield in Vermont. I have not been there in a long time and it is time for me to make another pilgrimage.
The second place is the wetlands at the end of Irondequoit Bay here in Rochester, where the Irondequoit Creek winds up through Ellison Park. I found the trails there 2 years ago, and this year have been exploring the waterways with my kayak. I have taken others to explore and they too have learned to treasure this area as something special.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
LOL I have to laugh. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a zoo keeper.
I find beauty in all animals. I don't know if I have a favorite, as each one has a certain calling to me. Each one has a gift and its own wisdom to impart.
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 environmental challenge is changing people's minds about the environment. I grew up in the 70's, being taught to "Give a Hoot! Don't Pollute!", to put trash in the trash cans, that the earth was a sacred place and we were it's keepers. These days, I am disgusted by the amount of trash that people just throw out of their car. People see the world as their trash can, and they believe that the trash they throw out won't harm the environment. People believe that coal power is "CLEAN" because the guy on TV tells them it is. When I was a kid (my gods I thought I would NEVER use that phrase) we had cartoons that promoted environmentalism and social consciousness. Now they promote violence and disposability.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Act now. Don't wait. Get reusable grocery bags and use them instead of plastic. Recycle everything you possibly can and put when you can't recycle in a proper receptacle. Mulch. Become active. Participate in Earth Day cleanups. Ride your bike whenever you can, instead of driving. Carry trash bags with you when you hike, and pick up the garbage. Boycott companies that refuse to use clean energy.
Samantha Wong
Consultant
Today’s Date: 17 December 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Dogs, cats, rabbits, fish, tortoise, birds, hamster, snake and monkey
They show me what love is and responsibilities
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
A small forest reserve nearby my house and backyard where i grew up.
Now? Only have time for playground now.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Wolf because they are family orientated, work together well, very independent and resourceful
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?
Devastation of mother earth, we need to learn how to preserve nature like our forefathers. Our challenge is change people mind set about preservation not just financial gain or political influence
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Save our world for our children.
Today’s Date: 17 December 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Dogs, cats, rabbits, fish, tortoise, birds, hamster, snake and monkey
They show me what love is and responsibilities
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
A small forest reserve nearby my house and backyard where i grew up.
Now? Only have time for playground now.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Wolf because they are family orientated, work together well, very independent and resourceful
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?
Devastation of mother earth, we need to learn how to preserve nature like our forefathers. Our challenge is change people mind set about preservation not just financial gain or political influence
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Save our world for our children.
Maiiken Bak
Bus driver
Today’s Date: 12 December 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Sailing, working for Maersk and my 2 cats.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The beach
Now? The beach
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Cats, because they’re funny, loving and they are their own.
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?
Global warming
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Think before you act!
Today’s Date: 12 December 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Sailing, working for Maersk and my 2 cats.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The beach
Now? The beach
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Cats, because they’re funny, loving and they are their own.
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?
Global warming
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Think before you act!
Tracey
Ms
Today’s Date: 7 December 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
When I was living on the sea in a triamarren, 28’6” long. Our family was two adults my parents, me 12, sister 11, brother 8 and another sister 6. The freedom that was out there, nothing to interfere with it all. Animals roaming wild on the island (goats and others put there for ship wrecks). Learning that not all food comes from supermarkets and to respect it all for the future.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Sailing on the oceans, going where the wind took you. Visiting islands that did not have people on them. The ones where you could go up a hill and slide down not knowing this was probably destroying the place but after climbing up was fun to fall in the water. The hidden waterfalls where you could sit and what others walk by and not see you. Climbing trees and getting coconuts, spearing fish to eat. I want to go back to that easier time, stupid survey.
Now? No answer given
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
The dolphin as you can interact with then in the wild. They will let you get close and just watching them going in and out of the water so graceful.
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?
Being able to sustain ourselves on earth without damaging it any more. Going back to our grandparents days, water tanks, reusing water, paper and other things like that. Learning bigger is not better.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Be careful do not destroy any more of it our further is here mankind has already destroyed to much of this place and it is getting harder each day, hour, minute to keep it going.
Today’s Date: 7 December 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
When I was living on the sea in a triamarren, 28’6” long. Our family was two adults my parents, me 12, sister 11, brother 8 and another sister 6. The freedom that was out there, nothing to interfere with it all. Animals roaming wild on the island (goats and others put there for ship wrecks). Learning that not all food comes from supermarkets and to respect it all for the future.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Sailing on the oceans, going where the wind took you. Visiting islands that did not have people on them. The ones where you could go up a hill and slide down not knowing this was probably destroying the place but after climbing up was fun to fall in the water. The hidden waterfalls where you could sit and what others walk by and not see you. Climbing trees and getting coconuts, spearing fish to eat. I want to go back to that easier time, stupid survey.
Now? No answer given
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
The dolphin as you can interact with then in the wild. They will let you get close and just watching them going in and out of the water so graceful.
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?
Being able to sustain ourselves on earth without damaging it any more. Going back to our grandparents days, water tanks, reusing water, paper and other things like that. Learning bigger is not better.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Be careful do not destroy any more of it our further is here mankind has already destroyed to much of this place and it is getting harder each day, hour, minute to keep it going.
Denise Dingsdale
Private citizen
Today’s Date: 11 December 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Growing up my grandmother taught me to take care of hurt animals or strays - I personally have raised a baby squirrel to maturity and let it go. Also, a baby robin.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Cross Lake in Antioch, IL
Now? Maui, Hawaii
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Going to the zoo it was always the Lions, because they are just huge 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?
Global warming... Global warming
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
RECYCLE, don't pollute and turn the water off when not using it. It disgusts me the amount of water that is wasted because someone turns the tap on and just lets it run...
Today’s Date: 11 December 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Growing up my grandmother taught me to take care of hurt animals or strays - I personally have raised a baby squirrel to maturity and let it go. Also, a baby robin.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Cross Lake in Antioch, IL
Now? Maui, Hawaii
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Going to the zoo it was always the Lions, because they are just huge 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?
Global warming... Global warming
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
RECYCLE, don't pollute and turn the water off when not using it. It disgusts me the amount of water that is wasted because someone turns the tap on and just lets it run...
Mary Ellen Grant
Environmental Educator / Biologist - Private contractor (Natural Considerations Consultants)
Today’s Date: 30 November 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Raised in Rossland, BC - Dad was a prospector/logger
Most early memory of nature/animal (wild?) - playing in the REAL dirt (not the cleaned up sandbox stuff) filled with REAL rocks and watching ants
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
a BIG rock in my Aunt's yard under a maple sapling - turns out the big rock was no larger than a regular sized stove.
Now? Water - there has to be water. Anywhere where there is water, puddle, pond, wetland, lake, river.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
As a previous zoo educator I have studied this as well - children in particular were very influenced by their teachers and parents. For example when asked about favourite animal and a child said "Snake" - they received negative reinforcement by the "yuks" but also by the teachers/parents saying "a snake is not an animal".
For myself, a cougar - why? I had the rare opportunity as a young child and had a father who had a friend who ran a roadside zoo in Robson, British Columbia. This zoo had an orphaned cougar (who "became" Charley the Lonesome Cougar of TV/movie fame). I got to help care for Charley - walk him, feed him, water him and MOST important talk with his KEEPER. It left an indelible impression on my life.
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?
"Me" generational thought process. The lack of caring for future generations. We consume and thus we waste.
Getting the "adult" generation to embrace the good youth of the world to allow them to creatively save the Earth. Volunteer Canada did a study in the early 00's that found out that if youth do not volunteer before they are 24 - they will never volunteer....
To have true sustainability, we need to work with in the area where the circles of economy, environment and SOCIETY overlap. I believe social justice and "true" education are key challenges as really determined by the Earth Summit in Johannesburg. By "true" education, I do not mean individuals with a biology background going out to "educate" about the environment. I do not mean individuals trained as teachers going out to "teach" about action. I mean the "discipline" of environmental educators who embrace community based social marketing, who use a Logic Model (or backward tasking), who are TRAINED in multiple audience techniques (eg Freeman Tilden).
Society is our biggest challenge.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
One person can make a difference, look at Rachel Carson, here in Canada - David Suzuki, - don't give up hope focus on the positive and build your own social network.
Today’s Date: 30 November 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Raised in Rossland, BC - Dad was a prospector/logger
Most early memory of nature/animal (wild?) - playing in the REAL dirt (not the cleaned up sandbox stuff) filled with REAL rocks and watching ants
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
a BIG rock in my Aunt's yard under a maple sapling - turns out the big rock was no larger than a regular sized stove.
Now? Water - there has to be water. Anywhere where there is water, puddle, pond, wetland, lake, river.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
As a previous zoo educator I have studied this as well - children in particular were very influenced by their teachers and parents. For example when asked about favourite animal and a child said "Snake" - they received negative reinforcement by the "yuks" but also by the teachers/parents saying "a snake is not an animal".
For myself, a cougar - why? I had the rare opportunity as a young child and had a father who had a friend who ran a roadside zoo in Robson, British Columbia. This zoo had an orphaned cougar (who "became" Charley the Lonesome Cougar of TV/movie fame). I got to help care for Charley - walk him, feed him, water him and MOST important talk with his KEEPER. It left an indelible impression on my life.
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?
"Me" generational thought process. The lack of caring for future generations. We consume and thus we waste.
Getting the "adult" generation to embrace the good youth of the world to allow them to creatively save the Earth. Volunteer Canada did a study in the early 00's that found out that if youth do not volunteer before they are 24 - they will never volunteer....
To have true sustainability, we need to work with in the area where the circles of economy, environment and SOCIETY overlap. I believe social justice and "true" education are key challenges as really determined by the Earth Summit in Johannesburg. By "true" education, I do not mean individuals with a biology background going out to "educate" about the environment. I do not mean individuals trained as teachers going out to "teach" about action. I mean the "discipline" of environmental educators who embrace community based social marketing, who use a Logic Model (or backward tasking), who are TRAINED in multiple audience techniques (eg Freeman Tilden).
Society is our biggest challenge.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
One person can make a difference, look at Rachel Carson, here in Canada - David Suzuki, - don't give up hope focus on the positive and build your own social network.
Thomas Hamilton
RSPB
Today’s Date: 30 November 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Helping out bird ringers.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes
Now? Yes
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Bee-eater-Because of their fascinating behavior, and their spectacular beauty.
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?
Global warming and mass extinction.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Reduce, reuse and recycle!
Today’s Date: 30 November 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Helping out bird ringers.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes
Now? Yes
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Bee-eater-Because of their fascinating behavior, and their spectacular beauty.
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?
Global warming and mass extinction.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Reduce, reuse and recycle!
Martha Smith
The Hayden Law Firm, PLLC
Today’s Date: 29 November 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Watching birds. Birds. Once, my parents and I stopped in a store on the way to my grandparents house. There was a small bird trapped in the store. I caught it and took it outside and let it go. I don't know what kind it was, but I will never forget the feel of that tiny body in my hands. My grandmother had a chimney that swifts roosted in. I loved to watch them as they swooped and dived in the evenings settling down for the night. I've always loved the songs of birds. I love animals, but birds have always been special.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
My grandmother's farm in Nutbush, Tennessee. A creek across the street from my house when I was in grade school.
Now? My street. Shelby Farms Park. Middle Tennessee
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
This is difficult. I love all animals. I love birds, but I also love mammals, big and small. Big cats, elephants, tigers, rhinos. I love bears, Grizzlies and Polar. Polar bears are in great danger right now and it is hard to say what should be done.
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?
Man has made a mess of this world. We have one and only one environmental challenge facing us and that is that mankind should realize that we are not the only species on this planet. All of the greed, malice, hate, war, etc., needs to be put aside. Until we can live together as a family, there is nothing that can be done about anything else. The rest will be but a Band-Aid.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
I am a Christian. I believe that the Bible is the inerrant, inspired Word of God. God made us stewards of this earth. Stewards are to care for, keep and then to turn over to the Master the charge given to them. Mankind will be judged for the poor (to put it mildly) job he has done to God's world. This is what I would say to the world. We need to use what we have - let me explain. In my city, there are blocks upon blocks upon blocks of buildings that are empty, empty lots where buildings were and have been torn down. Yet, treed lots are constantly being cleared for new structures that aren't needed. The city is becoming dead from the inside and the only thing growing is the outside. Now, it isn't totally that way. But, there is so much wasted space. I don't travel much, but I tend to think there are many cities just like this. There is too much waste. The U.S. economy is in a shambles. Recently, I learned something, and I don't recall how or where I learned it. But, it seems that at some point in time, a decision was made by OUR GOVERNMENT that we were to be a nation of consumers. Well, they managed to pull this off, if this is true. And, if it is true, we need to make a conscious decision to reverse it.
Today’s Date: 29 November 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Watching birds. Birds. Once, my parents and I stopped in a store on the way to my grandparents house. There was a small bird trapped in the store. I caught it and took it outside and let it go. I don't know what kind it was, but I will never forget the feel of that tiny body in my hands. My grandmother had a chimney that swifts roosted in. I loved to watch them as they swooped and dived in the evenings settling down for the night. I've always loved the songs of birds. I love animals, but birds have always been special.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
My grandmother's farm in Nutbush, Tennessee. A creek across the street from my house when I was in grade school.
Now? My street. Shelby Farms Park. Middle Tennessee
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
This is difficult. I love all animals. I love birds, but I also love mammals, big and small. Big cats, elephants, tigers, rhinos. I love bears, Grizzlies and Polar. Polar bears are in great danger right now and it is hard to say what should be done.
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?
Man has made a mess of this world. We have one and only one environmental challenge facing us and that is that mankind should realize that we are not the only species on this planet. All of the greed, malice, hate, war, etc., needs to be put aside. Until we can live together as a family, there is nothing that can be done about anything else. The rest will be but a Band-Aid.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
I am a Christian. I believe that the Bible is the inerrant, inspired Word of God. God made us stewards of this earth. Stewards are to care for, keep and then to turn over to the Master the charge given to them. Mankind will be judged for the poor (to put it mildly) job he has done to God's world. This is what I would say to the world. We need to use what we have - let me explain. In my city, there are blocks upon blocks upon blocks of buildings that are empty, empty lots where buildings were and have been torn down. Yet, treed lots are constantly being cleared for new structures that aren't needed. The city is becoming dead from the inside and the only thing growing is the outside. Now, it isn't totally that way. But, there is so much wasted space. I don't travel much, but I tend to think there are many cities just like this. There is too much waste. The U.S. economy is in a shambles. Recently, I learned something, and I don't recall how or where I learned it. But, it seems that at some point in time, a decision was made by OUR GOVERNMENT that we were to be a nation of consumers. Well, they managed to pull this off, if this is true. And, if it is true, we need to make a conscious decision to reverse it.
Erin Nicole Vinish
Biologist
Today’s Date: 22 November 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
It was when I was able to apply some simple concepts I learned in an ecology class to my current job. I worked in a greenhouse, and realized one day that annual plants always had so many bright flowers because they only had one season to reproduce, and consequently would want to put a tonne of energy into reproducing. Perennials never had as many flowers because they lived for many seasons, and needed to ration their energy over many years. Now it seems pretty basic, but at the time it had a big impact. That's when I started appreciating how amazing nature is.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The undeveloped area behind my dad's house. It was a large area that was mostly swampy. We could spend hours out there catching frogs and playing.
Now? A lot of areas in Kananaskis
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Well firstly it's dragons, but my favourite REAL animal is a golden eagle. I love all birds, but eagles are beautiful.
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?
Right now I think it's making people realize that there are huge issues with our environment, and that they need to look beyond their own lives, and at the big picture. In the future I think the greatest challenge will be dealing with global warming.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
We need to control human population growth. People need to realize that resources aren't infinite, that we can't keep growing. It seems like a lot of our current problems are because there are just too many people in the world now.
Today’s Date: 22 November 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
It was when I was able to apply some simple concepts I learned in an ecology class to my current job. I worked in a greenhouse, and realized one day that annual plants always had so many bright flowers because they only had one season to reproduce, and consequently would want to put a tonne of energy into reproducing. Perennials never had as many flowers because they lived for many seasons, and needed to ration their energy over many years. Now it seems pretty basic, but at the time it had a big impact. That's when I started appreciating how amazing nature is.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The undeveloped area behind my dad's house. It was a large area that was mostly swampy. We could spend hours out there catching frogs and playing.
Now? A lot of areas in Kananaskis
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Well firstly it's dragons, but my favourite REAL animal is a golden eagle. I love all birds, but eagles are beautiful.
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?
Right now I think it's making people realize that there are huge issues with our environment, and that they need to look beyond their own lives, and at the big picture. In the future I think the greatest challenge will be dealing with global warming.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
We need to control human population growth. People need to realize that resources aren't infinite, that we can't keep growing. It seems like a lot of our current problems are because there are just too many people in the world now.
January 10, 2009
Les U. Knight
Editor - These EXIT Times http://vhemt.org
Today’s Date: 29 October 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Gaining an appreciation for wildlife habitat and seeing it sacrificed for human habitat.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Growing up in the high desert of Eastern Oregon, the creek intermittently running through my town provided a constantly changing, linear playground. The water was polluted by drain fields from septic tanks, so we had to be careful with cuts and couldn't lick the ice nor swim in it on the rare occasions that it got deep enough.
Now? Now my favorite place outdoors is my own backyard, where I can play without disturbing wildlife much.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Like most people, my favorite animal is the human. Some of my best friends are humans. I relate to them better than any other animal, though I'm partial to the other great apes as well. Like most animals, we get mentally unbalanced in cages, and should be running wildly in troupes, but there's not enough habitat left for reintroduction. Our captive breeding program has been all too successful.
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?
Every environmental challenge has its roots in human activities and is exacerbated by our increase. We began causing extinctions tens of thousands of years ago and have accelerated the rate as we become more numerous. Reversing this direction is our greatest challenge now and in the future.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Before creating another of us, please consider the environmental impact a new human will have in his or her lifetime. Thank you for not breeding.
Today’s Date: 29 October 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Gaining an appreciation for wildlife habitat and seeing it sacrificed for human habitat.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Growing up in the high desert of Eastern Oregon, the creek intermittently running through my town provided a constantly changing, linear playground. The water was polluted by drain fields from septic tanks, so we had to be careful with cuts and couldn't lick the ice nor swim in it on the rare occasions that it got deep enough.
Now? Now my favorite place outdoors is my own backyard, where I can play without disturbing wildlife much.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Like most people, my favorite animal is the human. Some of my best friends are humans. I relate to them better than any other animal, though I'm partial to the other great apes as well. Like most animals, we get mentally unbalanced in cages, and should be running wildly in troupes, but there's not enough habitat left for reintroduction. Our captive breeding program has been all too successful.
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?
Every environmental challenge has its roots in human activities and is exacerbated by our increase. We began causing extinctions tens of thousands of years ago and have accelerated the rate as we become more numerous. Reversing this direction is our greatest challenge now and in the future.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Before creating another of us, please consider the environmental impact a new human will have in his or her lifetime. Thank you for not breeding.
Ian Bride
Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology
Today’s Date: 17 October 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
growing up on the edge of the countryside
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
woodland
Now? anywhere with interesting wildlife
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
I have no favourite
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 effects of global warming
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
issue too complex for such trite oversimplifications
Today’s Date: 17 October 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
growing up on the edge of the countryside
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
woodland
Now? anywhere with interesting wildlife
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
I have no favourite
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 effects of global warming
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
issue too complex for such trite oversimplifications
Melissa Bull
Private citizen
Today’s Date: 14 October 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I grew up in the country and have spent a great deal of time camping and hiking in the mountains of upstate NY and East Tennessee. That has been and remains one of my favorite activities. I love to be out in nature and see and experience everything around me.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
I loved going to the Adirondacks when i was a kid
Now? Still love it up there, but pretty much anywhere in the woods where i can have peace and beautiful scenery.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
That’s a tough one... I love animals of all kinds.
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?
we are totally destroying our planet, using up all of our natural resources and soon will have nothing left for future generations to enjoy or appreciate.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
quit screwing them up!!!
Today’s Date: 14 October 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I grew up in the country and have spent a great deal of time camping and hiking in the mountains of upstate NY and East Tennessee. That has been and remains one of my favorite activities. I love to be out in nature and see and experience everything around me.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
I loved going to the Adirondacks when i was a kid
Now? Still love it up there, but pretty much anywhere in the woods where i can have peace and beautiful scenery.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
That’s a tough one... I love animals of all kinds.
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?
we are totally destroying our planet, using up all of our natural resources and soon will have nothing left for future generations to enjoy or appreciate.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
quit screwing them up!!!
Samuel
Global Energy One
Today’s Date: 16 October 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
my alsatian (german shepard), my friend and companion when i was 4 to 6 years old, it taught me to be trusting and devoted
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
no
Now? no
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
fish, it is quiet, not messy, and soothing to the mind
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?
people wasting resources including their talents and abilities
people making better use of all resources including their talents and abilities
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
treat everything and every person with utmost care and concern, with out misusing any, and you and all will have a safer and more lovely place to live in and leave for the next generations.
Today’s Date: 16 October 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
my alsatian (german shepard), my friend and companion when i was 4 to 6 years old, it taught me to be trusting and devoted
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
no
Now? no
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
fish, it is quiet, not messy, and soothing to the mind
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?
people wasting resources including their talents and abilities
people making better use of all resources including their talents and abilities
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
treat everything and every person with utmost care and concern, with out misusing any, and you and all will have a safer and more lovely place to live in and leave for the next generations.
Toni L. Rubin
Private citizen
Today’s Date: 13 October 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
See wolves on my birthday in Yellowstone, 2000.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Niagara Falls
Now? Many -- the Canadian shore of Lake Erie, Niagara Fall, the Grand Tetons, the Bitteroots, the Big Horns, the coast of Oregon, etc.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
the gray wolf - nobility, intelligence, adaptability, loyalty and for keeping other ecosystems/game healthy
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?
without a doubt it's global warming
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
focus on the reality that we are one with, not separate from nature, and clean up after ourselves.
Today’s Date: 13 October 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
See wolves on my birthday in Yellowstone, 2000.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Niagara Falls
Now? Many -- the Canadian shore of Lake Erie, Niagara Fall, the Grand Tetons, the Bitteroots, the Big Horns, the coast of Oregon, etc.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
the gray wolf - nobility, intelligence, adaptability, loyalty and for keeping other ecosystems/game healthy
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?
without a doubt it's global warming
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
focus on the reality that we are one with, not separate from nature, and clean up after ourselves.
Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D.
Executive Director - Port of Los Angeles
Today’s Date: 27 September 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I was captivated by marine organisms when I first took an invertebrate zoology course as an undergraduate at Rutgers University. The colors, the shapes and textures of the animals, there are just so beautiful, I was hooked!
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The woods behind my house. When I was a kid, the world was safer and it was ok to drift far from your home and explore the woods. Also, my parents had a camp in the Adirondack Mountains in upper New York State, we had our own pond and lots of acres of woods and streams to explore.
Now? I like the desert in springtime, the rocky intertidal zone and my garden
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
I don’t think I have a favorite animal. I have come to care more about elephants as we have learned more about their strong family bonds. I think about that whenever I see the elephant walk from the port to the city for the circus.
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 think our greatest environmental challenge is health impacts associated with air pollution and airborne particulate matter. I think climate change I our greatest challenge in the future.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Get rid of half of what you have and consume less- you probably will not miss a thing.
Today’s Date: 27 September 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I was captivated by marine organisms when I first took an invertebrate zoology course as an undergraduate at Rutgers University. The colors, the shapes and textures of the animals, there are just so beautiful, I was hooked!
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The woods behind my house. When I was a kid, the world was safer and it was ok to drift far from your home and explore the woods. Also, my parents had a camp in the Adirondack Mountains in upper New York State, we had our own pond and lots of acres of woods and streams to explore.
Now? I like the desert in springtime, the rocky intertidal zone and my garden
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
I don’t think I have a favorite animal. I have come to care more about elephants as we have learned more about their strong family bonds. I think about that whenever I see the elephant walk from the port to the city for the circus.
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 think our greatest environmental challenge is health impacts associated with air pollution and airborne particulate matter. I think climate change I our greatest challenge in the future.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Get rid of half of what you have and consume less- you probably will not miss a thing.
James H. Bush
Retired (and Jeremy’s grandfather)
Today’s Date: 12 September 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I would have to say the seasons of the year. As a former farmer & still avid gardener all depends on them.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
As a child I enjoyed exploring the woodlot on our farm [Note from Jeremy- the same farm in upstate New York where I grew up many years later]
Now? My favorite place is Schoodic Peninsula. I especially like watching the ocean waves & the many kinds of wild fowl seen there – especially in winter.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
The white-tailed deer. Not only are they quite handsome animals, they are experts at survival. I have hunted them since I was 16 and they never cease to amaze me with their ability to survive.
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?
Overpopulation in the so called third world countries. If this trend continues we will run out of land for farming to feed them.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
We should work to use the environment in a responsible was for our benefit, not merely preserve it.
Received via postal mail
Today’s Date: 12 September 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I would have to say the seasons of the year. As a former farmer & still avid gardener all depends on them.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
As a child I enjoyed exploring the woodlot on our farm [Note from Jeremy- the same farm in upstate New York where I grew up many years later]
Now? My favorite place is Schoodic Peninsula. I especially like watching the ocean waves & the many kinds of wild fowl seen there – especially in winter.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
The white-tailed deer. Not only are they quite handsome animals, they are experts at survival. I have hunted them since I was 16 and they never cease to amaze me with their ability to survive.
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?
Overpopulation in the so called third world countries. If this trend continues we will run out of land for farming to feed them.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
We should work to use the environment in a responsible was for our benefit, not merely preserve it.
Received via postal mail
Tom Cobb
Palisades Interstate Park Commission (Retired Park Manager)
Today’s Date: 23 July 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Managing Minnewaska State Park Preserve for 10 years
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes
Now? Yes
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Common loon – A species that I can see in the backcountry of the Adirondacks
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?
Global warming/climate change now & in future
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Get out & experience nature on a 4-season basis
Received via postal mail
Today’s Date: 23 July 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Managing Minnewaska State Park Preserve for 10 years
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes
Now? Yes
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Common loon – A species that I can see in the backcountry of the Adirondacks
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?
Global warming/climate change now & in future
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Get out & experience nature on a 4-season basis
Received via postal mail
Mark Dowd
Operation Noah
Today’s Date: 24 August 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Hill and mountain walking.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
We had a wild wasteland we used to call the "Brookin"....it wasn’t that big but it felt that big as a child. WE would erect swings with ropes on trees, and make mud pies!
Now? I love the English county of Shropshire and the English/Welsh borders.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Llamas. They are just weird!
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?
Stabilisation of the climate and keeping CO2 levels to 350ppm.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Live Simply....learn to grow vegetables and deafen your ears to the advertising industry!
Today’s Date: 24 August 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Hill and mountain walking.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
We had a wild wasteland we used to call the "Brookin"....it wasn’t that big but it felt that big as a child. WE would erect swings with ropes on trees, and make mud pies!
Now? I love the English county of Shropshire and the English/Welsh borders.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Llamas. They are just weird!
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?
Stabilisation of the climate and keeping CO2 levels to 350ppm.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Live Simply....learn to grow vegetables and deafen your ears to the advertising industry!
Luis Cristiani
Cristiani Burkard
Today’s Date: 20 August 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Hunting with my father showed me to respect animals.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes, A national park in El Salvador, were I first went camping with my family.
Now? Learned to enjoy every place individually
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
No particular favorite
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?
All forms of pollution. Conservation of biodiversity, and sustainable industry and agriculture.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Respect the environment and do not misuse the natural resources.
Today’s Date: 20 August 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Hunting with my father showed me to respect animals.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes, A national park in El Salvador, were I first went camping with my family.
Now? Learned to enjoy every place individually
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
No particular favorite
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?
All forms of pollution. Conservation of biodiversity, and sustainable industry and agriculture.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Respect the environment and do not misuse the natural resources.
Ian Campbell
Private citizen
Today’s Date: 15 August 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
It is difficult to say what interaction with an animal or nature has had the biggest impact on me in my life.
In my early 20s I helped my older brother on his farm dipping the sheep. This involved driving the sheep into a pool containing chemicals. I think this solution was to kill parasites on the sheep. Something like that anyway. Spillage from the pool unfortunately emptied into a small stream. A couple of days after the sheep were dipped I noticed many dead gilgies in the stream (Gilgies are a small fresh water crustacean found in streams in Western Australia).
It was obvious that the chemicals from the sheep dipping had killed the gilgies downstream. Although gilgies are not cute and cuddly I was much saddened by their deaths. I realised the harm that man could do to the natural environment in his pursuit of making a living.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
No
Now? No
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
None
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?
Our greatest environmental challenge is to restrain our greed for more and more energy use and to live more balanced lives in tune with nature. Human industry should be more sustainable and less exploitative.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
The capitalist system is based on forever expanding economies, marketing new products that are not needed etc. All this threatens the natural environment. We should learn to live with less, to walk gently on the earth. We should be less motivated by making profit.
I live in Melbourne, Australia which has a mild, temperate climate. In winter we have no snow and ice. In summer it gets hot for a few days. In winter people complain about the cold, but it isn't really cold like in Canada or Russia. 95% of the people have heating in their houses, but it isn't really necessary. I don't have any heating, I just wear more clothing to keep warm. In summer it gets hot, so be it. I wear less clothing but I don't need air conditioning. I contribute very little towards global warming because of my low energy usage. I don't own a car. I use public transport or walk.
There is no hardship involved. It is my choice. If I can choose a low energy lifestyle then surely other people can also.
Today’s Date: 15 August 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
It is difficult to say what interaction with an animal or nature has had the biggest impact on me in my life.
In my early 20s I helped my older brother on his farm dipping the sheep. This involved driving the sheep into a pool containing chemicals. I think this solution was to kill parasites on the sheep. Something like that anyway. Spillage from the pool unfortunately emptied into a small stream. A couple of days after the sheep were dipped I noticed many dead gilgies in the stream (Gilgies are a small fresh water crustacean found in streams in Western Australia).
It was obvious that the chemicals from the sheep dipping had killed the gilgies downstream. Although gilgies are not cute and cuddly I was much saddened by their deaths. I realised the harm that man could do to the natural environment in his pursuit of making a living.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
No
Now? No
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
None
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?
Our greatest environmental challenge is to restrain our greed for more and more energy use and to live more balanced lives in tune with nature. Human industry should be more sustainable and less exploitative.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
The capitalist system is based on forever expanding economies, marketing new products that are not needed etc. All this threatens the natural environment. We should learn to live with less, to walk gently on the earth. We should be less motivated by making profit.
I live in Melbourne, Australia which has a mild, temperate climate. In winter we have no snow and ice. In summer it gets hot for a few days. In winter people complain about the cold, but it isn't really cold like in Canada or Russia. 95% of the people have heating in their houses, but it isn't really necessary. I don't have any heating, I just wear more clothing to keep warm. In summer it gets hot, so be it. I wear less clothing but I don't need air conditioning. I contribute very little towards global warming because of my low energy usage. I don't own a car. I use public transport or walk.
There is no hardship involved. It is my choice. If I can choose a low energy lifestyle then surely other people can also.
Tim Badman
Special Advisor, World Heritage - IUCN
Today’s Date: 14 August 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
There has not been one "seminal" moment, but probably as an 1 year old wading up the short river Lym in Dorset from its mouth to its source (or in fact until the water reached over my wellies) was the earliest adventure in wild ... As it seemed then ...
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The Lyme Regis-Axmouth Undercliffs Nature Reserve in the UK
Now? So many places, but nothing beats the Dorset Coast although bobbing around under Golden Cap in a sea kayak is the real perfection
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Cuttlefish ... An animal you can meet while diving that reminds you that underwater there are a lot of smarter brains than you around when it comes to survival
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 biggest challenge has always been, and always will be getting the environment to be a real concern of decision takers .. And that means a real concern of the public ... So engaging people with nature is the challenge ... Everything else flows from that and nothing is sustained without it.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
I am a geologist, the point that gets humanity in perspective is to remember that for >99% of the earth's history we have not been part of the picture.. So advice: remember that we have only been on this planet for a tiny number of years. Despite the damage we are doing, we are more vulnerable than it is.
Today’s Date: 14 August 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
There has not been one "seminal" moment, but probably as an 1 year old wading up the short river Lym in Dorset from its mouth to its source (or in fact until the water reached over my wellies) was the earliest adventure in wild ... As it seemed then ...
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The Lyme Regis-Axmouth Undercliffs Nature Reserve in the UK
Now? So many places, but nothing beats the Dorset Coast although bobbing around under Golden Cap in a sea kayak is the real perfection
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Cuttlefish ... An animal you can meet while diving that reminds you that underwater there are a lot of smarter brains than you around when it comes to survival
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 biggest challenge has always been, and always will be getting the environment to be a real concern of decision takers .. And that means a real concern of the public ... So engaging people with nature is the challenge ... Everything else flows from that and nothing is sustained without it.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
I am a geologist, the point that gets humanity in perspective is to remember that for >99% of the earth's history we have not been part of the picture.. So advice: remember that we have only been on this planet for a tiny number of years. Despite the damage we are doing, we are more vulnerable than it is.
Michelle
Private citizen
Today’s Date: 12 August 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
My dad being cruel to my favourite dog:( Loving that same dog and watching the way it would go my dad if he hit us kids :):):)
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
At the south coast area of Australia near Ulladulla
Now? Anywhere serene I have been to the south pacific islands on a cruise and they are beautiful and the water is such a beautiful colour :):):)
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
I love a variety of animals unicorns, horses, dolphins and some dogs (the larger breeds) would be my favourites :):):)
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 chopping of the forest for now and the future as we and the animals need the trees for oxygen :):):)
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Don’t chop down trees :):):)
Today’s Date: 12 August 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
My dad being cruel to my favourite dog:( Loving that same dog and watching the way it would go my dad if he hit us kids :):):)
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
At the south coast area of Australia near Ulladulla
Now? Anywhere serene I have been to the south pacific islands on a cruise and they are beautiful and the water is such a beautiful colour :):):)
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
I love a variety of animals unicorns, horses, dolphins and some dogs (the larger breeds) would be my favourites :):):)
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 chopping of the forest for now and the future as we and the animals need the trees for oxygen :):):)
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Don’t chop down trees :):):)
Ethan Duke
Prospecting grad student
Today’s Date: 11 August 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Listing to birdsong and spending countless hours in the field during all seasons and in all weather.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes
Now? Yes
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
It’s hard to name just one. I suppose birds draw my greatest interest, but I would say that my favorite animal would be the domestic dog. We have so many connections with them with such long histories. They are expressive and loving, seeming to read us better than we know ourselves. They in turn are easy to love.
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?
So many issues. They culminate and require a broad cultural revolution. People are lazy now-a-days and have odd value systems. The biggest challenge is convincing people that even though change may be difficult we have no other option and the rewards will be beyond our reckoning.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Take it one day at a time. The little things make a difference. (Sounds like two pieces of advice, but they are connected).
Today’s Date: 11 August 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Listing to birdsong and spending countless hours in the field during all seasons and in all weather.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes
Now? Yes
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
It’s hard to name just one. I suppose birds draw my greatest interest, but I would say that my favorite animal would be the domestic dog. We have so many connections with them with such long histories. They are expressive and loving, seeming to read us better than we know ourselves. They in turn are easy to love.
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?
So many issues. They culminate and require a broad cultural revolution. People are lazy now-a-days and have odd value systems. The biggest challenge is convincing people that even though change may be difficult we have no other option and the rewards will be beyond our reckoning.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Take it one day at a time. The little things make a difference. (Sounds like two pieces of advice, but they are connected).
Staffan Widstrand
Wild Wonders of Europe
Today’s Date: 9 August 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
A close encounter with a mountain gorilla family in the Virunga NP in Zaire/Kongo. Realizing that not only do we think they look like us, but also seeing in their eyes that they think we look like them actually brought me to tears.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes, a bird lake in a nature reserve, within bicycle distance from home.
Now? Yes, two: Laponia World Heritage area, in Swedish Lapland, and Lofoten islands on the Norwegian coast.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
I don’t have any particular animal as my favourite!
But I tend to be specially attracted to all large predators, both mammals, reptiles, fish and birds...
And to the apes.
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 biggest problem is without any doubt that there are too many of us humans in the world, and that the speed of population growth is so high. It is the no 1 factor behind most wars in the Third World, behind ethnic cleansing and massacres, behind increased food shortage, water shortage, global warming, industrial pollution, poverty, pressure on biodiversity, drinking water pollution, etc.
But almost nobody speaks about this problem.
And a terrible alliance of the Catholic church, the extreme islamists and fundamentalist protestants (like the Bush-administration) are stopping all measures that need to be taken when it comes to family planning, and the use of condoms and other birth control techniques.
There are simply too may of us, and if all these, and the billions coming around the corner, want to have western living standard, there is need for 2-3 more globes. But we just have one.
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 children, and in overpopulated countries, don’t have more than one. That is probably the biggest deed any single person or couple can carry out for the world.
Today’s Date: 9 August 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
A close encounter with a mountain gorilla family in the Virunga NP in Zaire/Kongo. Realizing that not only do we think they look like us, but also seeing in their eyes that they think we look like them actually brought me to tears.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes, a bird lake in a nature reserve, within bicycle distance from home.
Now? Yes, two: Laponia World Heritage area, in Swedish Lapland, and Lofoten islands on the Norwegian coast.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
I don’t have any particular animal as my favourite!
But I tend to be specially attracted to all large predators, both mammals, reptiles, fish and birds...
And to the apes.
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 biggest problem is without any doubt that there are too many of us humans in the world, and that the speed of population growth is so high. It is the no 1 factor behind most wars in the Third World, behind ethnic cleansing and massacres, behind increased food shortage, water shortage, global warming, industrial pollution, poverty, pressure on biodiversity, drinking water pollution, etc.
But almost nobody speaks about this problem.
And a terrible alliance of the Catholic church, the extreme islamists and fundamentalist protestants (like the Bush-administration) are stopping all measures that need to be taken when it comes to family planning, and the use of condoms and other birth control techniques.
There are simply too may of us, and if all these, and the billions coming around the corner, want to have western living standard, there is need for 2-3 more globes. But we just have one.
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 children, and in overpopulated countries, don’t have more than one. That is probably the biggest deed any single person or couple can carry out for the world.
The Rev. Warren Murphy
Wyoming Association of Churches
Today’s Date: 6 August 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Being chased by an agitated black bear
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes, the New Jersey Pine Barrens
Now? Grand Teton National Park
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Antelope. They are sleek, fast, independent and yet tied to a herd. They also have a facial expression that "looks into the unknown"
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?
Drilling and making havoc in the public lands. This contributes to future climate change as well as destroying the beauty of landscape
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Care for the earth as if it were a lover. Recognize its needs, wants and desires and work to keep it safe.
Chen ErShan 陈 尔姗
Private citizen (China)
Today’s Date: 7 August 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
i had traveled to some places which are very cold and high or dry and hot, which are hard for humans to live in. But u can always see plants big or tiny, the point is they are there, giving birth to their offsprings and other lives which are depending on them.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
I used to spend my spare time in my city’s zoo… I wish it belongs to “great outdoors”.
Now? I love the Namtso lake so far the most! It is one of the 3 holy lakes in tibet.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Giraffe! Their eyelashes are long and dense. And they appear gently and elegantly for the most time. Silence but won’t be ignored.
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?
Climate change. Still climate change.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
New clothes are fancy, but are not necessarily to buy all the time.
Today’s Date: 7 August 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
i had traveled to some places which are very cold and high or dry and hot, which are hard for humans to live in. But u can always see plants big or tiny, the point is they are there, giving birth to their offsprings and other lives which are depending on them.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
I used to spend my spare time in my city’s zoo… I wish it belongs to “great outdoors”.
Now? I love the Namtso lake so far the most! It is one of the 3 holy lakes in tibet.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Giraffe! Their eyelashes are long and dense. And they appear gently and elegantly for the most time. Silence but won’t be ignored.
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?
Climate change. Still climate change.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
New clothes are fancy, but are not necessarily to buy all the time.
Jens Brüggemann
Assistant Director Planning - Müritz National Park Authority
Today’s Date: 4 August 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I have had two most exciting experiences. First, scuba diving off the coast of Gorgona Island National Park, Colombia, where I felt being inmidst the most wonderful aquarium and second, the encounter with a Leopard in Nepal's Chitwan National Park (on the back of an elephant, luckily).
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Spending all summer long in the countryside has shaped my love for nature.
Now? Today I am lucky experiencing nature everyday at a lake close to my home. And I am always inspired by the beauty of landscapes.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
As a child, elephants were my favourite animals in the zoo because they were big and intelligent.
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) Alienation from nature due to TV, Internet and lack of outdoor recreation.
2) Unequal access to basic resources and in meeting basic needs.
Both now and in the future, where the battle for clean potable water will be even more prominent.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Be a little more conscious about the impact of your doing and try to change your consumer behaviour in order to favour ecological products and services.
Today’s Date: 4 August 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I have had two most exciting experiences. First, scuba diving off the coast of Gorgona Island National Park, Colombia, where I felt being inmidst the most wonderful aquarium and second, the encounter with a Leopard in Nepal's Chitwan National Park (on the back of an elephant, luckily).
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Spending all summer long in the countryside has shaped my love for nature.
Now? Today I am lucky experiencing nature everyday at a lake close to my home. And I am always inspired by the beauty of landscapes.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
As a child, elephants were my favourite animals in the zoo because they were big and intelligent.
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) Alienation from nature due to TV, Internet and lack of outdoor recreation.
2) Unequal access to basic resources and in meeting basic needs.
Both now and in the future, where the battle for clean potable water will be even more prominent.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Be a little more conscious about the impact of your doing and try to change your consumer behaviour in order to favour ecological products and services.
Juliette Dupont
Private citizen
Today’s Date: 1 August 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
When I was 11, we found a raccoon in our garden (there are no raccoons in France!) and with my parents we made a lot of investigations to know what to do (about the food, the rage, where it could be coming from…). Actually it belonged to people in the next town, who bought it in Germany, and I was really sorry to see that it was living in a small cage, eating cat’s food.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
I was often playing in the forest near my village.
Now? There is a meadow near my boyfriend’s village where we go every week, with a lot of flowers and the forest all around it and I think it’s the most peaceful place I’ve ever been.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
I love the cat family. I guess it’s because of my own cat but also for their attitude, the way they move.
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 think the global warming is a real big challenge because of all the things that it’s changing.
And it will also affect our future: some species are in real danger because of it ( polar bear…)
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
I would say that there is no need to go to the jungle to save species if you don’t feel able to do it but there are simple things that anyone can do at home without stress ( save water, …).
Today’s Date: 1 August 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
When I was 11, we found a raccoon in our garden (there are no raccoons in France!) and with my parents we made a lot of investigations to know what to do (about the food, the rage, where it could be coming from…). Actually it belonged to people in the next town, who bought it in Germany, and I was really sorry to see that it was living in a small cage, eating cat’s food.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
I was often playing in the forest near my village.
Now? There is a meadow near my boyfriend’s village where we go every week, with a lot of flowers and the forest all around it and I think it’s the most peaceful place I’ve ever been.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
I love the cat family. I guess it’s because of my own cat but also for their attitude, the way they move.
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 think the global warming is a real big challenge because of all the things that it’s changing.
And it will also affect our future: some species are in real danger because of it ( polar bear…)
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
I would say that there is no need to go to the jungle to save species if you don’t feel able to do it but there are simple things that anyone can do at home without stress ( save water, …).
January 09, 2009
Linet Nyabonyi
Mutumba self help group (Nairobi, Kenya)
Today’s Date: 25 July 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Stream river, it made me learn to swim
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Going to the forest to eat wild fruits. (Chinkenene)
Now? What I do is sewing, when I am free outside, it is like my leisure.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
cow, hens, in fact all domestic animals, the cow skin was used when I was young to carry me (baby coat) and also the cow dung and hens dropping are used as fertilizer and we use to plant vegetables especially our tradition vegetables called (Chinsanga) Kisii traditional vegetables. (Spider flower)
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?
Dumping, of waste products any where and anyhow, and air pollution which will interfere with our breathing system (Respiratory system)
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Natural resources and environment is God’s creation, we should protect and respect it the way we respect our maker.
Today’s Date: 25 July 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Stream river, it made me learn to swim
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Going to the forest to eat wild fruits. (Chinkenene)
Now? What I do is sewing, when I am free outside, it is like my leisure.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
cow, hens, in fact all domestic animals, the cow skin was used when I was young to carry me (baby coat) and also the cow dung and hens dropping are used as fertilizer and we use to plant vegetables especially our tradition vegetables called (Chinsanga) Kisii traditional vegetables. (Spider flower)
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?
Dumping, of waste products any where and anyhow, and air pollution which will interfere with our breathing system (Respiratory system)
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Natural resources and environment is God’s creation, we should protect and respect it the way we respect our maker.
Georges Dev MC
Missionaries of Charity (Nairobi, Kenya)
Today’s Date: 18 July 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Walking alone in a forest make me feel close to the creator.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes
Now? But now it is becoming less available
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Giraffe, it is beautiful
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?
People disrespect for nature and natural things
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Respect nature and use more natural things
Today’s Date: 18 July 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Walking alone in a forest make me feel close to the creator.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes
Now? But now it is becoming less available
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Giraffe, it is beautiful
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?
People disrespect for nature and natural things
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Respect nature and use more natural things
Charles Oloo
KCODA (Nairobi, Kenya)
Today’s Date: 24 July 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Nature has played a great role in my formation, has fed me, clothed me, and I’m nature and love nature. Sheep, goat, cows were my companions. Generally the clean air was because of trees.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
During my childhood I spent my great time in the fields beside the lake and my favorite play site beside the river under a tree.
Now? Now plainly none.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
My favorite animal is a Calf. I grew up teaching the calf how to run and their speed overtook mine in less than a few weeks. Their presence meant the presence of milk.
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 environmental challenge facing us now is the dirty air we breathe, lack of trees or green vegetation in future we risk the whole environmental turning into a desert, no rains, no food, no life
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Be friendly to animals, for every tree cut plant three or more, find environmental friendlier sources of energy.
Today’s Date: 24 July 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Nature has played a great role in my formation, has fed me, clothed me, and I’m nature and love nature. Sheep, goat, cows were my companions. Generally the clean air was because of trees.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
During my childhood I spent my great time in the fields beside the lake and my favorite play site beside the river under a tree.
Now? Now plainly none.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
My favorite animal is a Calf. I grew up teaching the calf how to run and their speed overtook mine in less than a few weeks. Their presence meant the presence of milk.
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 environmental challenge facing us now is the dirty air we breathe, lack of trees or green vegetation in future we risk the whole environmental turning into a desert, no rains, no food, no life
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Be friendly to animals, for every tree cut plant three or more, find environmental friendlier sources of energy.
Christopher Kioko Musyimi
Chairman - Kuunganisha Youth Group (Nairobi, Kenya)
Today’s Date: 22 July 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I have an impact with an animal and it had an impact on me by making me be friendly, humble, keen, emotional and gentle.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes, I used to have my favorite place which was the National park of Kenya
Now? I don’t have any more.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
My favorite animal is the hyena, because it has a lot of intelligence and cautious before it makes any move in its movement
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?
Global warming and deforestation. Greatest challenges in future would be global warming and killing of natural environmental catastrophies resources
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
I would like to advice the people that we need to preserve and protect our environment for the sake of our future and the future to come.
Today’s Date: 22 July 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I have an impact with an animal and it had an impact on me by making me be friendly, humble, keen, emotional and gentle.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes, I used to have my favorite place which was the National park of Kenya
Now? I don’t have any more.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
My favorite animal is the hyena, because it has a lot of intelligence and cautious before it makes any move in its movement
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?
Global warming and deforestation. Greatest challenges in future would be global warming and killing of natural environmental catastrophies resources
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
I would like to advice the people that we need to preserve and protect our environment for the sake of our future and the future to come.
Tonny Matenge
Initiative for sports & social Arts (ISSA) (Nairobi, Kenya)
Today’s Date: 25 July 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Fetching water with donkey. It has provided water for me, but it is also very troublesome.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
No answer given
Now? Yes, on the mountains where there are snakes and big lizards
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Hare, because it is very clever and also very sweet
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 we have many people congested in small areas while animals have got tracks of land which are not utilized in the near future we might have the people population explode.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Let’s divide what we have equally otherwise tomorrow people might destroy forest.
Today’s Date: 25 July 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Fetching water with donkey. It has provided water for me, but it is also very troublesome.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
No answer given
Now? Yes, on the mountains where there are snakes and big lizards
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Hare, because it is very clever and also very sweet
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 we have many people congested in small areas while animals have got tracks of land which are not utilized in the near future we might have the people population explode.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Let’s divide what we have equally otherwise tomorrow people might destroy forest.
Julius Ayoma
KIBERA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENDA (KCODA) (Nairobi, Kenya)
Today’s Date: 24 July 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Red Ants, they invaded my bed and they gave me a lot of biting.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Playing football during rain season, that was best to me, I could slide with the ball.
Now? I don’t have a specific place.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Cow, because I like milk.
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?
Globalization and deforestation, climate change, food shortage.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Plant more trees, protect our forests.
Today’s Date: 24 July 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Red Ants, they invaded my bed and they gave me a lot of biting.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Playing football during rain season, that was best to me, I could slide with the ball.
Now? I don’t have a specific place.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Cow, because I like milk.
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?
Globalization and deforestation, climate change, food shortage.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Plant more trees, protect our forests.
Elizabeth Gote
Alfa Network (Nairobi, Kenya)
Today’s Date: 19 July 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Cat, I used to buy good clothes and the rats could not spare them until I kept a cat in my house, since then I have loved cats very much.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Going out with my child friends especially when I had a new clothes which my parents had bought it, I could hang out so that other children could see it.
Now? Going out in out catering parties.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Lion, because it is the king of the jungle, and very brave.
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?
Air pollution, everybody breaths in and out, if we continue to pollute air, from various sectors, the rate of people dying will be increasing every day and night, the beautiful world will remain void.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Maximum respect to the natural resources and our environment is the key to a better world.
Today’s Date: 19 July 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Cat, I used to buy good clothes and the rats could not spare them until I kept a cat in my house, since then I have loved cats very much.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Going out with my child friends especially when I had a new clothes which my parents had bought it, I could hang out so that other children could see it.
Now? Going out in out catering parties.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Lion, because it is the king of the jungle, and very brave.
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?
Air pollution, everybody breaths in and out, if we continue to pollute air, from various sectors, the rate of people dying will be increasing every day and night, the beautiful world will remain void.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Maximum respect to the natural resources and our environment is the key to a better world.
Douglas Namale
KIBERA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENDA (KCODA) (Nairobi, Kenya)
Today’s Date: 23 July 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
The Rift valley, which has the largest number of Lakes, the lakes particularly L. Naivasha and Bogoria.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes, Thomson falls in Nyahururu.
Now? No answer given
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Goat. Because it can survive anywhere with minimal care.
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?
Deforestation, desertification (Lack of enough rainfall)
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Plant more trees, save and protect our water catchments areas
Today’s Date: 23 July 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
The Rift valley, which has the largest number of Lakes, the lakes particularly L. Naivasha and Bogoria.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes, Thomson falls in Nyahururu.
Now? No answer given
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Goat. Because it can survive anywhere with minimal care.
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?
Deforestation, desertification (Lack of enough rainfall)
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Plant more trees, save and protect our water catchments areas
John Mwangi
Missionary of Charity Brother (Nairobi, Kenya)
Today’s Date: 24 July 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Dog by the name Brownie whom I grew up with for twelve years and the el – nino rains while I was in Kwale District.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Row Allan Camp during my primary school years as a scout.
Now? Currently I have no ready access to the outdoors
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Dogs have always been my favorite they offer Friendship and protection
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?
Toxic gas emission globally turning the planet green once again
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Conserve water and preserve and protect water catchments areas
Today’s Date: 24 July 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Dog by the name Brownie whom I grew up with for twelve years and the el – nino rains while I was in Kwale District.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Row Allan Camp during my primary school years as a scout.
Now? Currently I have no ready access to the outdoors
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Dogs have always been my favorite they offer Friendship and protection
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?
Toxic gas emission globally turning the planet green once again
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Conserve water and preserve and protect water catchments areas
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)