Susan Hendler

Lic. Outdoor Guide, Registered Nurse

Jul 22, 2009

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

There are many, but a significant event was hearing spring peepers for the first time on a college biology field trip in Queens, NY. Amazing!!

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

As a child I loved to climb a huge old maple tree across from my house and just sit up there alone with the 'human world' beneath me and the squirrels and birds amongst me. My favorite place now is a small pond in the woods near my home that no one goes to but me. I sit quietly near the shore and watch and listen to Life.

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

I love and cherish all wildlife, but I am most drawn to wild dogs (wolves, coyotes, african hunting dogs, etc) and especially the two New Guinea Singing Dogs I share my home with. I'm not sure why canids are among my favorite animals, maybe because most are social animals and I admire their natural intelligence.

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 (human)

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

We are one small part of Mother Earth, no more important than any other life form on this planet, and we need to stop behaving like a lethal virus!!