First Nations Environmental Network
Today's Date: October 25th, 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Whales, bears and wolves. These are friends of ours. There are many stories about our interaction with these beings but in all the cases, they came to us for help. We spend a lot of time with them all in the wild and on the ocean here. We fought for the old growth forest sanctuaries which are habitat to so much to stop the logging but it is ongoing. What we do impacts everything and the animals know your intentions and it comes full circle. To be comfortable in this world, and that doesn't mean not being careful or cautious, one needs to have good relationships with all our relations.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Always loved the natural areas away from populations, industry and unnatural noise.
Now? The intact rivers where industry and resource extraction and human intrusion hasn't destroyed its essence. Especially in fall with the wild salmon and bears.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Favorite animal at this moment is wolf.
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, human destruction of the forest cover of the earth and pollution of ocean plants that contribute oxygen, humans disassociation with the natural world out of greed and fear. and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future? alleviating fear and destruction, transforming fear into love
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Stop the destruction. Live in right relationship and love it. Find a way to connect with the natural world and make decisions based accordingly.
Thanks to my sister Michelle McIlroy for designing the logo!
October 25, 2006
October 24, 2006
David Radcliff
New Community Project (http://www.newcommunityproject.org)
Today's Date: Oct. 24, 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Trips to the Ecuadorian Amazon and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The woods behind my house.
Now? Amazon.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Wolves. They are a keystone species, solidarity, yet given to community.
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?
Global warming/U.S. consumption and oblivion.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Less of everything. Lower on the food/production chain. Love the earth as the Creator does.
Today's Date: Oct. 24, 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Trips to the Ecuadorian Amazon and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The woods behind my house.
Now? Amazon.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Wolves. They are a keystone species, solidarity, yet given to community.
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?
Global warming/U.S. consumption and oblivion.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Less of everything. Lower on the food/production chain. Love the earth as the Creator does.
October 04, 2006
Jackson Zee
International Fund for Animal Welfare
Today's Date: 4 October 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
When I was a volunteer I learned that I could have a place in the world, as a person who appreciates animals and nature, and that I could share that feeling of belonging and having a part of the responsibility of protecting our planet.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
I always loved green fields of grass and being on the beach as a child
Now? I still love being near large bodies of water but spent a lot of time in forests in Asia.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I don't think I ever really had a favorite animal because I have learned every individual animal had its own personality and I enjoyed their individual quirks.
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 personally feel that the challenge is multi-faceted but in the basic essence if we can get all peoples to understand, identify and work towards a prioritized list of item then we can really consider having a future. Current issues that need consensus are: negative human population growth, greenhouse gas/global warming, water security, food security, energy security, societal development, global health and safety and preserving biodiversity.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Believe in hope and inspire action.
Today's Date: 4 October 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
When I was a volunteer I learned that I could have a place in the world, as a person who appreciates animals and nature, and that I could share that feeling of belonging and having a part of the responsibility of protecting our planet.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
I always loved green fields of grass and being on the beach as a child
Now? I still love being near large bodies of water but spent a lot of time in forests in Asia.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I don't think I ever really had a favorite animal because I have learned every individual animal had its own personality and I enjoyed their individual quirks.
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 personally feel that the challenge is multi-faceted but in the basic essence if we can get all peoples to understand, identify and work towards a prioritized list of item then we can really consider having a future. Current issues that need consensus are: negative human population growth, greenhouse gas/global warming, water security, food security, energy security, societal development, global health and safety and preserving biodiversity.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Believe in hope and inspire action.
October 03, 2006
Peter Luscomb
General Curator, Honolulu Zoo
Today's Date: 3 Oct 06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I spent five years as a child in Puerto Rico and during that time I had the opportunity to have horses. Horses gave me the ability and excuse to spend many hours out in the forest where I lived. It was during this period that I developed a love for exploring and enjoying nature.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
My fondest memories are of the Grand Tetons in Wyoming . What a beautiful location with wonderful wildlife.
Now? Kuper Range in Papua New Guinea.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Iiwi (Vestiaria coccinea) A beautiful bird with a charismatic and great personality.
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 population and the impact we have on our environment
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Conservation is about people and the impacts that they make on our ecosystems in the process of living. Many of our practices are exploitive, degrading and non sustainable. If these practices continue then the ecosystems we live in will be eventually degraded. As a conservation manager it is our responsibility to put value on maintaining an intact ecosystem, and encourage using the resources of that ecosystem on a sustainable basis.
The primary concerns are with habitat loss, ecosystem degradation, and exploitation of resources. Our work will need to focus on people, assisting them in developing sustainable practices that will allow them to meet their needs while preserving their native ecosystems.
Today's Date: 3 Oct 06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I spent five years as a child in Puerto Rico and during that time I had the opportunity to have horses. Horses gave me the ability and excuse to spend many hours out in the forest where I lived. It was during this period that I developed a love for exploring and enjoying nature.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
My fondest memories are of the Grand Tetons in Wyoming . What a beautiful location with wonderful wildlife.
Now? Kuper Range in Papua New Guinea.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Iiwi (Vestiaria coccinea) A beautiful bird with a charismatic and great personality.
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 population and the impact we have on our environment
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Conservation is about people and the impacts that they make on our ecosystems in the process of living. Many of our practices are exploitive, degrading and non sustainable. If these practices continue then the ecosystems we live in will be eventually degraded. As a conservation manager it is our responsibility to put value on maintaining an intact ecosystem, and encourage using the resources of that ecosystem on a sustainable basis.
The primary concerns are with habitat loss, ecosystem degradation, and exploitation of resources. Our work will need to focus on people, assisting them in developing sustainable practices that will allow them to meet their needs while preserving their native ecosystems.
October 01, 2006
VIKASH TATAYAH
CONSERVATION MANAGER, MAURITIAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION
Today's Date: 1st OCTOBER 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
BEING ON SERPENT ISLAND , THE MOST PRISTINE ISLAND IN THE MASCARENES AND AMIDST A MILLION BIRDS, ZILLIONS OF CENTIPEDES, INSECTS, SKINKS, SPINNER DOLPHINS SWIMMMING CLOSE TO THE ISLAND ON A TINY ROCK OF 40 HA. MADE ME REALISE HOW BADLY WE HAVE MESSED UP THIS EARTH
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
I GREW UP IN AFRICA, AND ONE OF MY FAVOURITE SPOTS WAS GOING OFF TO A SMALL LAKE TO LISTEN TO THE FROGS
Now? ROUND ISLAND , A PROJECT THAT I AND COLLEAGUES ARE MANAGING AND WHERE I AM DOING RESEARCH TOWARDS A HIGHER DEGREE
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
THE ALAOTRAN GENTLE LEMUR, BECAUSE IT IS JUST TOO CUTE!!
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, UNSUSTAINABLE USE OF RESOURCES, REDUCED SPACE FOR WILDLIFE, THREATENED ECOSYSTEMS and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future? THE SAME BUT ON A MUCH GRANDER SCALE, YET MORE UNSUTAINABLE EXPLOITATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
SLOW DOWN, THINK WHAT DAMAGE YOU ARE CAUSING AND TAKE ACTION NOW TO REVERSE THIS TREND
Today's Date: 1st OCTOBER 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
BEING ON SERPENT ISLAND , THE MOST PRISTINE ISLAND IN THE MASCARENES AND AMIDST A MILLION BIRDS, ZILLIONS OF CENTIPEDES, INSECTS, SKINKS, SPINNER DOLPHINS SWIMMMING CLOSE TO THE ISLAND ON A TINY ROCK OF 40 HA. MADE ME REALISE HOW BADLY WE HAVE MESSED UP THIS EARTH
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
I GREW UP IN AFRICA, AND ONE OF MY FAVOURITE SPOTS WAS GOING OFF TO A SMALL LAKE TO LISTEN TO THE FROGS
Now? ROUND ISLAND , A PROJECT THAT I AND COLLEAGUES ARE MANAGING AND WHERE I AM DOING RESEARCH TOWARDS A HIGHER DEGREE
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
THE ALAOTRAN GENTLE LEMUR, BECAUSE IT IS JUST TOO CUTE!!
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, UNSUSTAINABLE USE OF RESOURCES, REDUCED SPACE FOR WILDLIFE, THREATENED ECOSYSTEMS and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future? THE SAME BUT ON A MUCH GRANDER SCALE, YET MORE UNSUTAINABLE EXPLOITATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
SLOW DOWN, THINK WHAT DAMAGE YOU ARE CAUSING AND TAKE ACTION NOW TO REVERSE THIS TREND
MARY WYKSTRA-ROSS
CHEETAH CONSERVATION FUND, KENYA PROGRAM DIRECTOR
www.cheetah.org
Today's Date: 1 OCT 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
MY FIRST RHINO SEEN IN THE WILD IS WHAT DREW ME TO CONSERVATION IN AFRICA.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
A WOODED AREA IN OUR BACK YARD.
Now? MANY PLACES IN KENYA – SAMBURU RESERVE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES TO GO WHEN I HAVE TIME. FOR A REAL BREAK I ALSO ENJOY NYALI BEACH MOMBASA.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
THE CHEETAH WAS THE FIRST ZOO ANIMAL THAT REALLY INRIGUED ME. THE EYES COUGHT MY ATTENTION THE FIRST TIME I WORKED WITH THEM AND THOSE EYES ARE WHAT STILL TELL ME THAT I HAVE MADE THE RIGHT CHOICES IN LIFE.
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?
HABITAT LOSS – HOW CAN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY BECOME DEVELOPED WITHOUT RAPING THE LAND?
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
THINK ABOUT YOUR CHOICES IN EVERYDAY LIFE – THE RESOURCES YOU USE, THE RECREATION ACTIVITIES YOU CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE AND THE EFFECTS OF THOSE CHOICES.
www.cheetah.org
Today's Date: 1 OCT 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
MY FIRST RHINO SEEN IN THE WILD IS WHAT DREW ME TO CONSERVATION IN AFRICA.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
A WOODED AREA IN OUR BACK YARD.
Now? MANY PLACES IN KENYA – SAMBURU RESERVE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES TO GO WHEN I HAVE TIME. FOR A REAL BREAK I ALSO ENJOY NYALI BEACH MOMBASA.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
THE CHEETAH WAS THE FIRST ZOO ANIMAL THAT REALLY INRIGUED ME. THE EYES COUGHT MY ATTENTION THE FIRST TIME I WORKED WITH THEM AND THOSE EYES ARE WHAT STILL TELL ME THAT I HAVE MADE THE RIGHT CHOICES IN LIFE.
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?
HABITAT LOSS – HOW CAN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY BECOME DEVELOPED WITHOUT RAPING THE LAND?
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
THINK ABOUT YOUR CHOICES IN EVERYDAY LIFE – THE RESOURCES YOU USE, THE RECREATION ACTIVITIES YOU CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE AND THE EFFECTS OF THOSE CHOICES.
September 26, 2006
Namory Traoré
Chef de la Section Promotion Communautaire de la Faune, Direction Nationale de la Conservation de la Nature, Mali [Community section head Promotion of Fauna, National Direction of the Nature conservation, Mali]
Today's Date: 26 Septembre 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Le jour où j'ai caressé un éléphant dans le Jardin Zoologique du Caire en Egypte. [The day when I cherished an elephant in the Zoological garden of Cairo in Egypt.]
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Oui: Une mare à 1(un) kilomètre de mon village [Yes: A pond with 1(un) kilometer of my village]
Now? Oui: Le village de Banankoro à 30 kilomètre au sud-ouest de Bamako, capitale du Mali. [Yes: The village of Banankoro with 30 kilometer in the south-west of Bamako, capital of Mali.]
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Mon animal préféré est l'éléphant. Ses dimensions énormes font de lui à la fois une curiosité scientifique et une curiosité touristique. [My preferred animal is the elephant. Its enormous dimensions make of him at the same time a scientific curiosity and a tourist curiosity.]
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?
Le défi le plus important de nos jours est la déforestation. Dans l'avenir, c'est la crise de l'eau potable qui sera le grand défi à relever. [The most important challenge nowadays is deforestation. In the future, it is the crisis of the drinking water which will be the great challenge to take up.]
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Eviter le gaspillage des ressources. [To avoid the wasting of the resources.
[translations done using Babel Fish Translations, http://babelfish.altavista.com]
Today's Date: 26 Septembre 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Le jour où j'ai caressé un éléphant dans le Jardin Zoologique du Caire en Egypte. [The day when I cherished an elephant in the Zoological garden of Cairo in Egypt.]
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Oui: Une mare à 1(un) kilomètre de mon village [Yes: A pond with 1(un) kilometer of my village]
Now? Oui: Le village de Banankoro à 30 kilomètre au sud-ouest de Bamako, capitale du Mali. [Yes: The village of Banankoro with 30 kilometer in the south-west of Bamako, capital of Mali.]
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Mon animal préféré est l'éléphant. Ses dimensions énormes font de lui à la fois une curiosité scientifique et une curiosité touristique. [My preferred animal is the elephant. Its enormous dimensions make of him at the same time a scientific curiosity and a tourist curiosity.]
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?
Le défi le plus important de nos jours est la déforestation. Dans l'avenir, c'est la crise de l'eau potable qui sera le grand défi à relever. [The most important challenge nowadays is deforestation. In the future, it is the crisis of the drinking water which will be the great challenge to take up.]
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Eviter le gaspillage des ressources. [To avoid the wasting of the resources.
[translations done using Babel Fish Translations, http://babelfish.altavista.com]
September 23, 2006
PARK, Sung Jin
Graduate student, Wildlife Lab, Seoul National University
Today's Date: Sep. 23 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
My little house rabbits, which were brought from my maternal grandmother, raised in elementary school
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
a small remnant area near house where I could catch grasshoppers and nearby elementary school where I used to catch frogs, insects and so on.
Now? My rural house with a pair of tits inside of nest box nearby small stream and cliff
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Siberian Chipmunk! So cute and curious animal!
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?
Construction! Development! now and in the future. Immense habitats are being destructed and deteriorated!
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Please no more "waste" construction for election. Do not vote them.
Today's Date: Sep. 23 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
My little house rabbits, which were brought from my maternal grandmother, raised in elementary school
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
a small remnant area near house where I could catch grasshoppers and nearby elementary school where I used to catch frogs, insects and so on.
Now? My rural house with a pair of tits inside of nest box nearby small stream and cliff
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Siberian Chipmunk! So cute and curious animal!
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?
Construction! Development! now and in the future. Immense habitats are being destructed and deteriorated!
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Please no more "waste" construction for election. Do not vote them.
September 18, 2006
Mrs. Madelaine Jay
Mount Usher Gardens, Ireland
Today’s Date: September 12, 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Visiting the majestic Redwoods with their lovely bird and animal life
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Sitting on a great fallen hemlock tree with my dog in our Eucalyptus grove with the sun shining on my back!
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
A dog, because they are faithful, clever, courageous, and delightful companions
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, if nothing is done about this
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Do not waste water, us it as sparingly as possible
**sent via postal mail**
Today’s Date: September 12, 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Visiting the majestic Redwoods with their lovely bird and animal life
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Sitting on a great fallen hemlock tree with my dog in our Eucalyptus grove with the sun shining on my back!
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
A dog, because they are faithful, clever, courageous, and delightful companions
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, if nothing is done about this
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Do not waste water, us it as sparingly as possible
**sent via postal mail**
September 17, 2006
Bernard O'Callaghan
Program Coordinator - IUCN Viet Nam Country Program
Today's Date: 17 September 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
2. Did you have a favourite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Long summer evenings were spent on the rocky shores of coastal southern Australia. This lead to a love of the coast, rock pools and marine life..
Now? - Any wind-blown beach....
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favourite animal is, and why?
Seals...... So beautiful and graceful underwater..... On land a little goofy !! We all like familiar territory - but sometimes must spend some of our lives in places less comfortable...
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?
- Greatest current challenge is the high level of consumption of resources in developed countries- with no change in sight. In developing countries, poverty / need for income for consumption is the greatest challenge......
- Responding to the change in the natural environment as a result of climate change due to over consumption...
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Tread lightly with a small footprint..
Today's Date: 17 September 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
2. Did you have a favourite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Long summer evenings were spent on the rocky shores of coastal southern Australia. This lead to a love of the coast, rock pools and marine life..
Now? - Any wind-blown beach....
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favourite animal is, and why?
Seals...... So beautiful and graceful underwater..... On land a little goofy !! We all like familiar territory - but sometimes must spend some of our lives in places less comfortable...
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?
- Greatest current challenge is the high level of consumption of resources in developed countries- with no change in sight. In developing countries, poverty / need for income for consumption is the greatest challenge......
- Responding to the change in the natural environment as a result of climate change due to over consumption...
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Tread lightly with a small footprint..
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