Cheryl Binstock

Creator/Webmaster - Our Enchanted Garden (http://www.ourenchantedgarden.net)

Jul 18, 2009

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

When I went through a major career change, twice in my life, I would be drawn to spend more time in the garden. Became inspired to watch the birds and animals more closely and then eventually got to the photography and writing and web designs I do now, though still none of it "professionally" I actually work at a low paid clerk job simply to cover the expenses of the house and keeping my site and writing, etc. growing!

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

Favourite place as a child was always the woods, the trees seemed to soothe me somehow. I still love trees and sense their personalities in ways hard to describe. The trees that surround our garden are like great protectors of our personal garden experiment. Our backyard is now my favourite place, but I like visiting the great lakes, the Niagara River (hometown) and the Rocky Mountains

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

Really hard to nail down... but in the past 12 years or so it's been mountain lions. Got many (psychic) nudges about those cats while traveling and camping in Colorado's 14'ers. was on a bit of a vision quest at that time and the she cat came through strong, we found fur pellets (lion hair balls? he he!) along some of our trails and even spotted one young cat slinking back into the shadows under some tumbled rocks on a hillside.

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?

Stopping the reckless consumerism that is ravaging the wild spaces and living spaces alike. People must become intimately aware with their our natural connection with the world around them and far less focus on the world society tries to force us to fit into!

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

Where-ever you are, no matter if it's the wilderness or the urban center, always remember you are a part of nature, not apart from it. We are immersed in a natural world and it's time to each take a part in helping the earth return to her natural state. Our garden has naturalized sections that belong simply to nature. The birds plant their seeds there through their droppings, squirrels and chipmunks leave things behind that grow, the wind offers up more of the same. We simply assist by removing debris and thinning from time to time. Area insects, birds and critters seem to do well in the yard now where there was little life 14 years ago! (postage stamp front yard turned meadow, is one example!) If nothing else; xeriscaping should be THE word in gardening projects, (landscaping for low, low water requirements)