Private Citizen
Today's Date: August 8, 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I have spent my entire adult life feeding, watching and loving birds thanks in large part to my Dad's interest in them. Eagles, sea gulls, geese and owls are my favorites! I could watch them a million times and still be in awe when I see them the million and one time!
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Several, actually. I loved the many camping trips we took to Lewey Lake (Indian Lake region) in the Adirondack area of NY and have many fond memories from those days. I grew up traveling to Maine and the rocky coastline which also provided amazing wildlife adventures for me. I especially remember the guided nature tours we took whenever we went to Blackwoods Campground in Acadia National Park. Tide pools were of special interest to me. But, honestly...my own woods behind our house in Catskill were my own special get away place. No matter how bad the day I always felt better after exploring about for hours in the fields and woods right on our own property!
Now? As an adult and parent some of my favorite times have been spent at a church camp called Pyramid Lake. We took the kids there every fourth of July for about ten years. The pristine lake and majestic mountains were a haven of peace every year. I also enjoy our times on Lake Ontario where our daughter is a college student. Sunset Heaven!!!
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
As far as wild animal, my favorite has always been the wolf. Partly because my favorite domestic animal is the dog! I find the whole pack life scenario amazing and hate all the old Westerns that paint such a negative picture of the creature! A close second for me is the tiger. I find them absolutely gorgeous! I am a fan of orange, so I guess that plays into it, but I just think they are about the most beautiful creature on God's Earth.
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?
I think the obvious answer here is how to produce oil/gas efficiently to decrease the current crisis situation, while at the same time maintaining our natural environment as best we can. In the future I believe that development will get out of hand completely with overpopulation what it already is and we will lose a great deal of our beautiful lands such as Alaska, etc. I hope to see them all before it is too late!
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
My advice would be to stop tearing down what is already sound to build more buildings. Nothing infuriates me quite as much as seeing perfectly good houses, buildings, malls, torn down, only to have something bigger and newer put in their place. Think of all the material that goes into such a project. Why not utilize what is already there and reduce the amount of destruction? I also would encourage people to take recycling more seriously for the same reasons. Paper, glass, plastic can all be returned to usefulness and cut down on waste if people would just be a little less lazy and a little more concerned about what their wasteful ways are doing to the environment as a whole. We may only be here a few short years, but we need to consider our children, their children and so on.
Thanks to my sister Michelle McIlroy for designing the logo!
August 09, 2006
August 08, 2006
Michael R. Styler
Executive Director, Utah Department of Natural Resources
Today’s Date: August 8, 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
My narrow escape from a mature buffalo (bison) bull left an impression.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Fishing from the bank of the Sevier River listening to the blackbirds and watching dragonflies.
Now? The solitude of ice fishing.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Moose - I've observed them and hunted them. They don't fear man. I think they're goofy and majestic all at the same time.
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?
Getting environmental clearance to physically rehabilitate damaged watershed.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
It is renewable! Trust land mangers to use the science available to improve through active management of the watersheds.
Today’s Date: August 8, 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
My narrow escape from a mature buffalo (bison) bull left an impression.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Fishing from the bank of the Sevier River listening to the blackbirds and watching dragonflies.
Now? The solitude of ice fishing.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Moose - I've observed them and hunted them. They don't fear man. I think they're goofy and majestic all at the same time.
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?
Getting environmental clearance to physically rehabilitate damaged watershed.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
It is renewable! Trust land mangers to use the science available to improve through active management of the watersheds.
Lars Berg
Secretary, Swedish National Scientific Council on Biological Diversity
Today's Date: 8 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
When I was a child my family used to spend summer vacations in the mountains, living off fish caught from the lakes and streams. This was as scary as it was inspiring, experiencing that we were ultimately subjected to the forces of nature. I remember the silence and the joy of catching fish in the same water body that you drink from.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
I used to live close to a small forest on the outskirts of town. All the kids in the area used to play there all day throughout the summer. Later I passed through the forest for years on my way to the university. I guess in a certain way it is still my favourite place. Otherwise I am very fond of the traditional cultural landscape found in southern Sweden, especially the island Gotland in the Baltic.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Cows are fantastic. They perform tremendous tasks and I find their rhythm of life and patience very inspiring.
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?
Most challenges are intricately interrelated. If you count unsustainable consumption as an environmental challenge, I would suggest that this is what threatens most people right now. In the future, the main challenge will be to manage nature in a way that makes it resilient to stresses that cannot be avoided, such as those resulting from overpopulation, or those that cannot be predicted.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Act according to principles that you would like to see generally applied (that is: Kant's famous imperative). And it's good of course if you base your principles on critical, rational thought.
Today's Date: 8 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
When I was a child my family used to spend summer vacations in the mountains, living off fish caught from the lakes and streams. This was as scary as it was inspiring, experiencing that we were ultimately subjected to the forces of nature. I remember the silence and the joy of catching fish in the same water body that you drink from.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
I used to live close to a small forest on the outskirts of town. All the kids in the area used to play there all day throughout the summer. Later I passed through the forest for years on my way to the university. I guess in a certain way it is still my favourite place. Otherwise I am very fond of the traditional cultural landscape found in southern Sweden, especially the island Gotland in the Baltic.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Cows are fantastic. They perform tremendous tasks and I find their rhythm of life and patience very inspiring.
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?
Most challenges are intricately interrelated. If you count unsustainable consumption as an environmental challenge, I would suggest that this is what threatens most people right now. In the future, the main challenge will be to manage nature in a way that makes it resilient to stresses that cannot be avoided, such as those resulting from overpopulation, or those that cannot be predicted.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Act according to principles that you would like to see generally applied (that is: Kant's famous imperative). And it's good of course if you base your principles on critical, rational thought.
Daniel M Turner
Analyst/programmer- British Airways; amateur ornithologist
Today's Date: 07 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I suppose it is an accumulation of experience with birds and other wildlife over a long period rather than just one experience. Over time such things strengthen your interest. Having experiences with animals / birds close-up is extremely rewarding, as is seeing flocks of birds in the wild.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
A couple of favourite places: The local Northeast England coast and the Northumberland countryside. My parents had a caravan near Hexham in Northumberland next to a wood, open countryside and a stream. We spent many great holidays there and I explored the locality and got to know some of the wildlife.
Now? Still the Northeast England coast, river Tyne and North Shields Fish Quay.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I particularly like sea and wading birds – probably due to my proximity to the coast. There are always interesting things to see and record with the changing seasons as the birds come and go.
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?
Now: Habitat destruction (marine, coastal, wetland, forest, etc) and plundering of resources. Unnecessary killing of wildlife: inadvertently (for example albatrosses during long-line fishing, rat introduction to islands – the rats go on to compete with and kill the local wildlife) or on purpose (for example: seal pups in the north, whales, capture of bears for bile, killing of migrating birds in the Mediterranean Sea, over fishing, etc).
In future: Global warming is going to have a major impact if things do not change so that it is brought under some sort of control – is it too late already?
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Join a nature / wildlife / countryside/ bird protection organization and take note of what is going on in our natural world – do something to help to preserve the environment.
Today's Date: 07 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I suppose it is an accumulation of experience with birds and other wildlife over a long period rather than just one experience. Over time such things strengthen your interest. Having experiences with animals / birds close-up is extremely rewarding, as is seeing flocks of birds in the wild.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
A couple of favourite places: The local Northeast England coast and the Northumberland countryside. My parents had a caravan near Hexham in Northumberland next to a wood, open countryside and a stream. We spent many great holidays there and I explored the locality and got to know some of the wildlife.
Now? Still the Northeast England coast, river Tyne and North Shields Fish Quay.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I particularly like sea and wading birds – probably due to my proximity to the coast. There are always interesting things to see and record with the changing seasons as the birds come and go.
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?
Now: Habitat destruction (marine, coastal, wetland, forest, etc) and plundering of resources. Unnecessary killing of wildlife: inadvertently (for example albatrosses during long-line fishing, rat introduction to islands – the rats go on to compete with and kill the local wildlife) or on purpose (for example: seal pups in the north, whales, capture of bears for bile, killing of migrating birds in the Mediterranean Sea, over fishing, etc).
In future: Global warming is going to have a major impact if things do not change so that it is brought under some sort of control – is it too late already?
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Join a nature / wildlife / countryside/ bird protection organization and take note of what is going on in our natural world – do something to help to preserve the environment.
August 06, 2006
Edward E. Clark, Jr.
President, Wildlife Center of Virginia
www.wildlifecenter.org
“the world's leading teaching and research hospital for wildlife and conservation medicine”
August 4, 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Of the thousands of wild animals with which I have had contact, a peregrine falcon I had for several years, and used in the Wildlife Center's education programs, taught me more about the true spirit of the Earth than any other creature or experience. I had personal experiences with that bird that simply cannot be explained with simple science. He taught me that there are real forces at work that cannot be seen, measure, manipulated or understood.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
My uncle's small cabin in southern Pennsylvania was paradise to me. No plumbing and few creature comforts, but the most magical place I know. It was where my real "communion" with nature, and ultimately my career in conservation, began.
Now? After thirty some years of having gotten out of the habit of visiting that magic cabin of my youth, I have recently reconnected with that special place. I did add a few amenities, but it is still basic and rustic. Nevertheless, it is still just as special as it was almost 50 years ago--a refuge and a sanctuary for the soul. Of course the pine seedlings I planted as a child are now 75 feet tall!
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I love the impala. I think they are among the most elegant and graceful creatures on Earth, especially as they race across the African bush. Here in the USA, it's a toss-up between red-tailed hawks and peregrine falcons, both as a result of individuals of these species I have had the privilege to know.
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?
The insatiable human appetite for consumption and our indifference to consequences. Global warming and climate change seem likely to alter the face of the planet in profound ways.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
We all have an impact on the Earth. It may be positive or negative. For most of us, it will be some of both. Because we have the capacity to have a positive impact, we have the responsibility to do what we can. We never know when our small acts of global good citizenship will be the gestures that make a profound difference. Start by registering and voting!!
www.wildlifecenter.org
“the world's leading teaching and research hospital for wildlife and conservation medicine”
August 4, 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Of the thousands of wild animals with which I have had contact, a peregrine falcon I had for several years, and used in the Wildlife Center's education programs, taught me more about the true spirit of the Earth than any other creature or experience. I had personal experiences with that bird that simply cannot be explained with simple science. He taught me that there are real forces at work that cannot be seen, measure, manipulated or understood.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
My uncle's small cabin in southern Pennsylvania was paradise to me. No plumbing and few creature comforts, but the most magical place I know. It was where my real "communion" with nature, and ultimately my career in conservation, began.
Now? After thirty some years of having gotten out of the habit of visiting that magic cabin of my youth, I have recently reconnected with that special place. I did add a few amenities, but it is still basic and rustic. Nevertheless, it is still just as special as it was almost 50 years ago--a refuge and a sanctuary for the soul. Of course the pine seedlings I planted as a child are now 75 feet tall!
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I love the impala. I think they are among the most elegant and graceful creatures on Earth, especially as they race across the African bush. Here in the USA, it's a toss-up between red-tailed hawks and peregrine falcons, both as a result of individuals of these species I have had the privilege to know.
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?
The insatiable human appetite for consumption and our indifference to consequences. Global warming and climate change seem likely to alter the face of the planet in profound ways.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
We all have an impact on the Earth. It may be positive or negative. For most of us, it will be some of both. Because we have the capacity to have a positive impact, we have the responsibility to do what we can. We never know when our small acts of global good citizenship will be the gestures that make a profound difference. Start by registering and voting!!
August 03, 2006
Sandra Binns
IRCF - International Reptile Conservation Foundation
Today’s Date: Aug 3, 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Being able to participate in a ground roots field activity actually improving a situation for a critically endangered animal
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The San Mateo Mountains and the Pacific Coast beaches
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
We are a conservation organization, not a zoo
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?
Society's abusive behavior on the planet and its natural resources.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Humanity tends to forge ahead with plans (whether they be development, mining, etc) without first reviewing the natural balance of things - and then try to fix things after it is too late. I don't have a problem with development or excavation or progress for our lifestyles - but I believe more thought and planning should go in upfront prior to any habitat modification or destruction to evaluate what already exists and make all attempts to develop and preserve at the same time. Unfortunately pressure time deadlines, schedules and money always get in the way.
Today’s Date: Aug 3, 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Being able to participate in a ground roots field activity actually improving a situation for a critically endangered animal
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The San Mateo Mountains and the Pacific Coast beaches
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
We are a conservation organization, not a zoo
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?
Society's abusive behavior on the planet and its natural resources.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Humanity tends to forge ahead with plans (whether they be development, mining, etc) without first reviewing the natural balance of things - and then try to fix things after it is too late. I don't have a problem with development or excavation or progress for our lifestyles - but I believe more thought and planning should go in upfront prior to any habitat modification or destruction to evaluate what already exists and make all attempts to develop and preserve at the same time. Unfortunately pressure time deadlines, schedules and money always get in the way.
L. David Mech
U. S. Geological Survey
http://www.davemech.org
Today's Date: 8/3/06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
HARD TO SAY; I’VE HAD SO MANY.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS
Now? ELLESMERE ISLAND
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
WOLF BECAUSE OF THE LIFE CHALLENGES THEY FACE.
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?
FOR BOTH: SAVING ENOUGH NATURAL LAND
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
WORK TO SAVE AS MUCH WILD LAND AS POSSIBLE
http://www.davemech.org
Today's Date: 8/3/06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
HARD TO SAY; I’VE HAD SO MANY.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS
Now? ELLESMERE ISLAND
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
WOLF BECAUSE OF THE LIFE CHALLENGES THEY FACE.
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?
FOR BOTH: SAVING ENOUGH NATURAL LAND
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
WORK TO SAVE AS MUCH WILD LAND AS POSSIBLE
August 02, 2006
Clyde Jackman
Minister, Dept. of Environment and Conservation, Government of Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada
Today’s Date: July 27, 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Ever since I was a child I have had an interest in both the sea and inland waters. In the sea I find majesty where you must develop a sense of respect for both the serenity and severity of what it provides. In inland waters, whether it be a day trouting, a morning salmon fishing or a canoe trip, it is relaxing and connects you to nature. So whether it is a day with fisherman hauling their nets, or casting a fishing rod on a beautiful, early morning in July, both of these types of experiences have impacted my life in a positive manner.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Not one place in particular. But, the swimming area near our community was always a favorite place. Climbing amongst the rocks and cliffs in and around the community brought fantasy and fun and games. At a very young age, going cod jigging just offshore from my community allowed you to see whales and tuna and a variety of birds.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
The whale is my favorite animal. To see it swim and dive as it glides slowly through the water is almost soothing. Then to see a creature the size of a humpback rise out of the water, then turn on its side and strike the water sending it in every direction makes you realize how majestic these creatures are.
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?
The greatest environmental change facing us now is climate change. As our climate changes so will so much of our habitat and the impact it has on us as human beings and the ecosystems around us. This will continue to present us with the greatest challenge.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources what would it be?
The key to a sustainable society is balance. While we recognize that we need the economics we must never forget that we must protect and ensure we always have our natural endowments. We are connected to the sea, land and air and we must always be mindful of this.
Today’s Date: July 27, 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Ever since I was a child I have had an interest in both the sea and inland waters. In the sea I find majesty where you must develop a sense of respect for both the serenity and severity of what it provides. In inland waters, whether it be a day trouting, a morning salmon fishing or a canoe trip, it is relaxing and connects you to nature. So whether it is a day with fisherman hauling their nets, or casting a fishing rod on a beautiful, early morning in July, both of these types of experiences have impacted my life in a positive manner.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Not one place in particular. But, the swimming area near our community was always a favorite place. Climbing amongst the rocks and cliffs in and around the community brought fantasy and fun and games. At a very young age, going cod jigging just offshore from my community allowed you to see whales and tuna and a variety of birds.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
The whale is my favorite animal. To see it swim and dive as it glides slowly through the water is almost soothing. Then to see a creature the size of a humpback rise out of the water, then turn on its side and strike the water sending it in every direction makes you realize how majestic these creatures are.
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?
The greatest environmental change facing us now is climate change. As our climate changes so will so much of our habitat and the impact it has on us as human beings and the ecosystems around us. This will continue to present us with the greatest challenge.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources what would it be?
The key to a sustainable society is balance. While we recognize that we need the economics we must never forget that we must protect and ensure we always have our natural endowments. We are connected to the sea, land and air and we must always be mindful of this.
Eviatar Nevo
Professor of Evolutionary Biology; Director- Institute of Evolution and the International Graduate Center of Evolution, University of Haifa, Israel
Today’s Date: 2 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Many interactions including: Studying blind subterranean mammals, Spalax; Studying wild emmer wheat, Triticum dicoccoides; Studying the microscale model of "Evolution Canyon". You can get information on all the above in our website http://evolution.haifa.ac.il
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Nature outings
Now? "Evolution Canyon" as a microscale model of life from bacteria to mammals
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Blind subterranean mole rats, Spalax. After studying them more than 50 years they opened my eyes as to evolution in action including adaptation and speciation. They are the best studied wild mammals (interdisciplinarily): +300 papers and two books. Now they become very important to human gene therapy.
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?
The greatest challenge is still the ongoing population explosion and the destruction of the environment and biodiversity. Then come the challenges of global warming and environmental pollution.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
SAFEGUARD ALL NATURAL HABITATS FROM DESTRUCTION
Today’s Date: 2 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Many interactions including: Studying blind subterranean mammals, Spalax; Studying wild emmer wheat, Triticum dicoccoides; Studying the microscale model of "Evolution Canyon". You can get information on all the above in our website http://evolution.haifa.ac.il
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Nature outings
Now? "Evolution Canyon" as a microscale model of life from bacteria to mammals
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Blind subterranean mole rats, Spalax. After studying them more than 50 years they opened my eyes as to evolution in action including adaptation and speciation. They are the best studied wild mammals (interdisciplinarily): +300 papers and two books. Now they become very important to human gene therapy.
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?
The greatest challenge is still the ongoing population explosion and the destruction of the environment and biodiversity. Then come the challenges of global warming and environmental pollution.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
SAFEGUARD ALL NATURAL HABITATS FROM DESTRUCTION
Kevin Parker
Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
Today's Date: 2 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
By paying attention to ones surroundings it is possible to have beautiful interactions with nature and animals on a daily basis, no matter the habitat you find yourself in - we are not separate from nature and animals, we just frequently treat them with complete disregard and ignorance
2. Did you have a favourite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Now? Yes on both counts
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favourite animal is, and why?
Lots of favourites, but fernbird, a species I have researched, are probably my favourite as I have spent a lot of time with them, and they have loads of character
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?
People learning to use the mush between their ears for something other than their own selfish needs and wants
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
As the great Jim Harrison says, everybody could vastly improve the quality of their lives simply by paying more attention, I would add to this-attention to themselves, the other people around them, plants, animals, fungi, mould, etc , and attention to the ground beneath their feet and the sky above the heads.
Today's Date: 2 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
By paying attention to ones surroundings it is possible to have beautiful interactions with nature and animals on a daily basis, no matter the habitat you find yourself in - we are not separate from nature and animals, we just frequently treat them with complete disregard and ignorance
2. Did you have a favourite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Now? Yes on both counts
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favourite animal is, and why?
Lots of favourites, but fernbird, a species I have researched, are probably my favourite as I have spent a lot of time with them, and they have loads of character
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?
People learning to use the mush between their ears for something other than their own selfish needs and wants
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
As the great Jim Harrison says, everybody could vastly improve the quality of their lives simply by paying more attention, I would add to this-attention to themselves, the other people around them, plants, animals, fungi, mould, etc , and attention to the ground beneath their feet and the sky above the heads.
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