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.