Scott Smith

Ecologist - MD DNR - Natural Heritage Program

Jul 23, 2009

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

No one event - I have been studying animals my entire life (now approaching 50). However that said, while in undergraduate college a professor turned me on to plant identification and birds and my now "opened" eyes viewed the world differently - there is power in being able to name a thing, a person, a place - spiritual even.

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

The White Mountains of NH were my spiritual place - particularly the Presidential Range and Mt. Washington. Mtns are sacred places. But the sea also held me in its grasp - both places can be places of utmost beauty and utmost peril - and that dichotomy speaks to the human soul I think. Now my favorite places are often on a smaller scale - quiet places with little or no non-native vegetation - special plant/animal communities like bogs, fens, deserts, etc.

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

That’s a tough one - 20 years ago I would have said bald eagle or any raptor because of the grace, power, and viewpoint from on high and also their fierceness without ill-tidings - "I'm just being an eagle when I kill". Today my interests are very broad but I would have to say its any turtle - I just like the indomitable will of turtles in general - the modern world continues to revolve at frenetic pace yet they survive living at a different pace, and in a different time. There is much to be learned from turtles!

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

It all comes down to too many humans on the planet and increasingly following soul-less economic models. Until there is a wholesale change in the way EVERYONE views this planet and all its members, not just humans, I fear that we are on a death spiral as a species (irregardless of the current pop #s) - and unfortunately we seem to want to take the planet with us.

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

You are NOT separate from nature - you are part of it - what happens to it happens to you, and vice versa - so be respectful and handle with care.