Margaret Skeel

South Grafton High School

July 23, 2009

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

As a biologist, this is a hard question to answer... there have been so many! but My study of northern elephant seals set me on the path to be a biologist instead of doctor so i guess that had the biggest impact on my career.

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

Yes I grew up in Oregon and out back of my yard was a creek and willow trees and i loved it out there. Now i have 1300 acres of my own great outdoors in Australia where I love to walk and ride and watch the wildlife and protect.

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

I care for eagles now so raptors are very high on my list but i also love almost every other animal there is and the ones i don't love, I respect.

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?

Human overpopulation - all the others are the result of too many people competing for the remaining resources.

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

Don't take it for granted.