Anonymous

Private Citizen

July 23, 2009

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

That truly is impossible to determine. Hiking the Adirondacks and exploring the fields and creek near my childhood home are the first two things that came to mind.

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

I had a spot near a creek that i would go to when i was upset- the bubbling sound was soothing. There was a hollow tree across the fields and into a patch of woods that was full of woodpecker holes. It was a special place while it was standing and after it fell. I loved hiking the Adirondacks, as a child and still as an adult. The feeling of ... immersion, i suppose, sang for me as a child.

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

lol oh, to pick a favorite?? I could say 'chimp' because i find Goodall's observations fascinating and mirror-like. I could say dog or cat because they've been companion animals to me for so long. I could say wildcats because they fascinated me as a child. I could say falcon for the same reason. I could say chipmunk or chickadee for hours spent observing them. I guess i'll just stop now.

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?

Apathy. Not enough people care about the problems in an effective way. Many aren't even aware of the problems, and if they are are often not very well informed about them. Our environmental problems will improve best once 'environmental impact' becomes factored into our decision making automatically, as a normal part of our decision making process, instead of as an extra step we have to remember to do/ care enough to do.

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

Do your honest best to consider the environment in your everyday choices. We prioritize finances and convenience over environmental impact far too often. We can't do everything all of the time, but if we all put environmental impact intentionally into our decision making process, we will have enough success to make the crucial difference.