World Bank - Zambia Country Office
Today's Date: 1/8/07
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
adventure hunting in Mali going down rivers in canoes with friends.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Mali. Mont Mandingues
Now? Kafue NP, Zambia
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Bushbuck, because it resists everywhere to environmental degradation
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?
Land transformation & global warming
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Your behavior matters ...
Thanks to my sister Michelle McIlroy for designing the logo!
January 08, 2007
January 07, 2007
Don Bosch
The Evangelical Ecologist Blog (www.evangelicalecologist.com)
Today's Date: 6 Jan 07
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Growing up I felt as many youth do - I was on the outside of life looking in and disconnected from the Christian home in which I had been raised. I was on a high school church youth retreat to the Oregon Coast. That evening I heard for the first time that Christ loved me, died for me, had a purpose for my life, and would return some day to judge the world. I sat the next day on a high Pacific cliff and was overwhelmed by how small I was and how immense the ocean before me was. At that moment the Lord spoke to my heart and reminded me that while He had created all of this He still loved me personally. I responded by giving my heart to Him. I have no doubt God used that moment in nature to bring that realization of how much He loved me. That thought has become a hallmark of what I try to do with The Evangelical Ecologist and as my calling in life in general.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The mountains around Puget Sound, Washington State. My dad took us hiking every summer, sometimes in the North Cascades along the Pacific Crest Trail, sometimes in the Olympic rain forest. Unforgettable.
Now? Fell in love with east county San Diego near Lake Cuyamacca while living near there recently, and I can't imagine living anywhere away from the ocean.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Hard to pick a favorite - our gang loves zoos and all the critters in them. Have had a membership at the San Diego Zoo for years. My favorite is probably reef aquariums. We loved our years in Guam and the chance to dive on miles of reefs. Could sit and stare at a reef tank for hours.
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's the same challenge - working with the emerging second- and third-world (the Middle East, China and Africa specifically) to skip the pollution we created in our industrial age and move directly into cleaner, more sustainable energy. We have to do this with sound economic development policies, and without creating global bureaucracies that sap resources.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
God created our beautiful, amazing world, and desires that mankind be careful stewards of it. Regardless of political leanings or geo-economic situations, we can get a lot of good things done in ecology if we keep this notion of stewardship (vice ownership) foremost in mind, and remember that we need a relationship with Christ if we're going to have the wisdom to succeed in this.
Today's Date: 6 Jan 07
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Growing up I felt as many youth do - I was on the outside of life looking in and disconnected from the Christian home in which I had been raised. I was on a high school church youth retreat to the Oregon Coast. That evening I heard for the first time that Christ loved me, died for me, had a purpose for my life, and would return some day to judge the world. I sat the next day on a high Pacific cliff and was overwhelmed by how small I was and how immense the ocean before me was. At that moment the Lord spoke to my heart and reminded me that while He had created all of this He still loved me personally. I responded by giving my heart to Him. I have no doubt God used that moment in nature to bring that realization of how much He loved me. That thought has become a hallmark of what I try to do with The Evangelical Ecologist and as my calling in life in general.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The mountains around Puget Sound, Washington State. My dad took us hiking every summer, sometimes in the North Cascades along the Pacific Crest Trail, sometimes in the Olympic rain forest. Unforgettable.
Now? Fell in love with east county San Diego near Lake Cuyamacca while living near there recently, and I can't imagine living anywhere away from the ocean.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Hard to pick a favorite - our gang loves zoos and all the critters in them. Have had a membership at the San Diego Zoo for years. My favorite is probably reef aquariums. We loved our years in Guam and the chance to dive on miles of reefs. Could sit and stare at a reef tank for hours.
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's the same challenge - working with the emerging second- and third-world (the Middle East, China and Africa specifically) to skip the pollution we created in our industrial age and move directly into cleaner, more sustainable energy. We have to do this with sound economic development policies, and without creating global bureaucracies that sap resources.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
God created our beautiful, amazing world, and desires that mankind be careful stewards of it. Regardless of political leanings or geo-economic situations, we can get a lot of good things done in ecology if we keep this notion of stewardship (vice ownership) foremost in mind, and remember that we need a relationship with Christ if we're going to have the wisdom to succeed in this.
December 31, 2006
Fred Scherlinder Dobb
Rabbi, Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation (and board member, Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life)
Today's Date: 12/31/06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
No one interaction actually stands out; I came to ecological awareness and sensitivity more from the theoretical than the experiential side.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Not really
Now? Many! One top pick is Timna Park in the Arava desert in southern Israel
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
bottlenose dolphin: grace, intelligence, kindness, beauty, 'soul' -- and if those weren't enough reasons, a starring role in Douglas Adams' "Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy"...
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?
Clearly it's anthropogenic global climate change, and its attendant extirpation of species and cultures. Alas, that one will be around for quite a while....
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
In all matters and decisions, take the long view -- as do the Bible (cf Exodus 34:6-7), Aldo Leopold ("thinking like a mountain"), the Iroquois tradition ("seventh generation"), and Creation/nature itself.
Today's Date: 12/31/06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
No one interaction actually stands out; I came to ecological awareness and sensitivity more from the theoretical than the experiential side.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Not really
Now? Many! One top pick is Timna Park in the Arava desert in southern Israel
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
bottlenose dolphin: grace, intelligence, kindness, beauty, 'soul' -- and if those weren't enough reasons, a starring role in Douglas Adams' "Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy"...
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?
Clearly it's anthropogenic global climate change, and its attendant extirpation of species and cultures. Alas, that one will be around for quite a while....
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
In all matters and decisions, take the long view -- as do the Bible (cf Exodus 34:6-7), Aldo Leopold ("thinking like a mountain"), the Iroquois tradition ("seventh generation"), and Creation/nature itself.
December 12, 2006
Scarlet Colley
South Padre Island Dolphin Research and Sealife Center, Texas
Today’s Date: 12-12-06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Researching our wild dolphins of South Padre Island
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes, I lived in Germany, Connecticut, Arizona, Texas and Massachusetts as a child and love the outdoors in all those places. I was very fortunate to have parents who loved the outdoors and were horse whisperers.
Now? I spend everyday on the waters of the Laguna Madre Bay with my wild dolphin family and thru our sealife center our mission is eco friendliness.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
My Dolphins are my passion
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?
Saving habitat is the greatest environmental challenge we face now and will be greater in the future as human demands increase on natural resources. Eco tourism can be the answer for many who are now exploiting their natural resources to preserving them.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Teach the Love for nature and how to take care of it above all to the next generation.
Today’s Date: 12-12-06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Researching our wild dolphins of South Padre Island
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes, I lived in Germany, Connecticut, Arizona, Texas and Massachusetts as a child and love the outdoors in all those places. I was very fortunate to have parents who loved the outdoors and were horse whisperers.
Now? I spend everyday on the waters of the Laguna Madre Bay with my wild dolphin family and thru our sealife center our mission is eco friendliness.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
My Dolphins are my passion
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?
Saving habitat is the greatest environmental challenge we face now and will be greater in the future as human demands increase on natural resources. Eco tourism can be the answer for many who are now exploiting their natural resources to preserving them.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Teach the Love for nature and how to take care of it above all to the next generation.
December 07, 2006
Henri Roca, MD
Round Table Noble Order of Tara
Today’s Date: 12/6/2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Receiving my medicine shield and then being visited by the animals who agreed to serve as medicine. All my life I have sought out nature as a mirror which can reflect life and its edges back into my awareness in ways that can easily be acknowledged
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Hot Springs, Arkansas - magical and healing
Now? The Spiritual centers of continents - Uluru, Mt Kailash, Grand Canyon, Amazon,...and of course Hot Springs, Northern California, the whole State of West Virginia
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Jaguar - my spirit teacher and dream guide - fast, stealthful, unseen and so can see all
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 but as a manifestation of species-based arrogance and consumerism. Consumerism and technology will never fix the problem. Only by self-regulating ourselves as individuals and as a society can this rapid march to the brink be averted. Keep in mind that we will not destroy the planet - we will only destroy the ability for life as it currently exists to co-habitate the planet.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Consume less
Be mindful of resource utilization with every choice - where to work, what to buy, where the kids play soccer, etc
Respect the earth and the rock people as living entities
Ask for permission
Walk mindfully
Today’s Date: 12/6/2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Receiving my medicine shield and then being visited by the animals who agreed to serve as medicine. All my life I have sought out nature as a mirror which can reflect life and its edges back into my awareness in ways that can easily be acknowledged
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Hot Springs, Arkansas - magical and healing
Now? The Spiritual centers of continents - Uluru, Mt Kailash, Grand Canyon, Amazon,...and of course Hot Springs, Northern California, the whole State of West Virginia
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Jaguar - my spirit teacher and dream guide - fast, stealthful, unseen and so can see all
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 but as a manifestation of species-based arrogance and consumerism. Consumerism and technology will never fix the problem. Only by self-regulating ourselves as individuals and as a society can this rapid march to the brink be averted. Keep in mind that we will not destroy the planet - we will only destroy the ability for life as it currently exists to co-habitate the planet.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Consume less
Be mindful of resource utilization with every choice - where to work, what to buy, where the kids play soccer, etc
Respect the earth and the rock people as living entities
Ask for permission
Walk mindfully
November 30, 2006
Reah Janise Kauffman
Earth Policy Institute
Today's Date: November 30, 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Although we had pets, the outdoors had more of an impact on me, being able to play for hours in the hills and woods near my home.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
No one spot, just all of it.
Now? The nearby trails for biking/running/walking as they follow a small stream and woods.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
The big cats, but I don’t know why exactly. Perhaps the way they move and run.
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?
Two challenges: population growth and climate change.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Consider the future generations who will inherit the choices you are making today.
Today's Date: November 30, 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Although we had pets, the outdoors had more of an impact on me, being able to play for hours in the hills and woods near my home.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
No one spot, just all of it.
Now? The nearby trails for biking/running/walking as they follow a small stream and woods.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
The big cats, but I don’t know why exactly. Perhaps the way they move and run.
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?
Two challenges: population growth and climate change.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Consider the future generations who will inherit the choices you are making today.
November 29, 2006
Dr. Chudamani Joshi
Ecologist/ Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, Nepal
Today's Date: 29 November 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
As a child growing up in Nepal I played hide and seek with woodpeckers and I could gaze for hours at a pair of vultures building a nest.
I enjoyed the natural world around me when I was young. Yet as a boy I did not realise that this was slowly but surely disappearing due to population growth, landuse change and habitat loss. I witnessed this happening in my home country Nepal and decided to take action.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
An Adina cordifolia tree near my house having a whole in its huge trunk and appeared some short of cave was my favorite place when I was young.
Now? Almost none. In this busy and fast growing city, hardly anyplace left to go.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Wild chicken, they are very colorful.
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?
Landuse change and global warming in future
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Think globally, act locally
Today's Date: 29 November 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
As a child growing up in Nepal I played hide and seek with woodpeckers and I could gaze for hours at a pair of vultures building a nest.
I enjoyed the natural world around me when I was young. Yet as a boy I did not realise that this was slowly but surely disappearing due to population growth, landuse change and habitat loss. I witnessed this happening in my home country Nepal and decided to take action.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
An Adina cordifolia tree near my house having a whole in its huge trunk and appeared some short of cave was my favorite place when I was young.
Now? Almost none. In this busy and fast growing city, hardly anyplace left to go.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Wild chicken, they are very colorful.
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?
Landuse change and global warming in future
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Think globally, act locally
November 20, 2006
Olivia Robertson
co-founder, Fellowship of Isis (www.fellowshipofisis.com)
Today’s Date: 17 November 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
A wolf
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
A wilderness
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Dogs- loyal, loving
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
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Share the Earth with ALL her inhabitants
**sent via postal mail**
Today’s Date: 17 November 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
A wolf
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
A wilderness
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Dogs- loyal, loving
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
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Share the Earth with ALL her inhabitants
**sent via postal mail**
November 18, 2006
Manisha Gutman
The views expressed here are purely personal and should not be taken to be the views of Kalpavriksh.
Kalpavriksh Environment Action Group
Today's Date: 18 Nov 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
When I first started exploring issues of the environment I was living in a spiritual community near a big city in India. Periodically I would have to travel into town for work. On the route to the city, there was an area where a road was being widened. Flanking the road were two huge and majestic trees that may have been a couple of hundred years old. I soon realised that eventually they were going to be sacrificed for the sake of a few extra meters of road. Everytime I went into town I looked out for them and began to develop a love for them. One day after a long day in the city, I was returning back to the community, and saw that the deed had been done. The large tree lay cut in pieces by the side of the road. It was almost as though a dear friend of mine had been massacred heartlessly. What was worse was that the reason seemed so absolutely meaningless - those few extra meters were not really needed on a road that did not have much traffic in the first place.
I reached home and must have cried for nearly an hour - deeply moved by the helplessness of the tree and the stupidity of humanity!
This episode was a turning point for me. Although I had already read a lot of books and understood the logic behind the environmental movement - this event was a heart connection to nature. After this I found myself speaking to trees, nurturing plants and animals spontaneously.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Not really. I grew up in a big city and our contact with nature was limited. The only real natural element near us was the sea and even though we visited it often it was really more of a leisure activity than anything else. However, in the spiritual community I lived in, Nature was deeply respected, almost worshipped. My teacher was an avid lover of nature and the environment of the community was lush and energised.
Now? I don’t really have any one favourite place yet I love being in nature.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I would say that I have several favourite animals. The Indian cow to me is the epitome of elegance, grace and beauty. The elephant I love because of the gentleness that emanates from it. However I have never really had the chance to know either of these intimately. In the past few years I have had several dogs and cats in my life and I am grateful to them because they have taught me how to love. I have often experienced a psychic connection with the cats in my life - telepathic communications and uncanny coincidences. The cat has taught me that it is indeed possible for humans to communicate with other species as clearly as they do with each other. The dogs I have known on the other hand have been generous with their affection and joy.
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 feel that the inner disconnect between humans and nature is the source of all current environmental challenges. This could possible be because most of us are also disconnected from our own inner selves, unable to control our thoughts and emotions, making choices out of fear and discontentment.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
My advice to folks would be to learn to love nature. To keenly observe her and relish the beauty and grace of all things natural. Once peoples hearts have opened to the immense beauty and compassion that nature embodies, conservation will become a priority for them in their own personal lives but also in the choices they make as professionals, government officials or corporate executives. The links between conservation and human survival will become clear - because even though these issues seem complex and entangled - they really stem from a simple truth - that we do not love nature anymore.
Kalpavriksh Environment Action Group
Today's Date: 18 Nov 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
When I first started exploring issues of the environment I was living in a spiritual community near a big city in India. Periodically I would have to travel into town for work. On the route to the city, there was an area where a road was being widened. Flanking the road were two huge and majestic trees that may have been a couple of hundred years old. I soon realised that eventually they were going to be sacrificed for the sake of a few extra meters of road. Everytime I went into town I looked out for them and began to develop a love for them. One day after a long day in the city, I was returning back to the community, and saw that the deed had been done. The large tree lay cut in pieces by the side of the road. It was almost as though a dear friend of mine had been massacred heartlessly. What was worse was that the reason seemed so absolutely meaningless - those few extra meters were not really needed on a road that did not have much traffic in the first place.
I reached home and must have cried for nearly an hour - deeply moved by the helplessness of the tree and the stupidity of humanity!
This episode was a turning point for me. Although I had already read a lot of books and understood the logic behind the environmental movement - this event was a heart connection to nature. After this I found myself speaking to trees, nurturing plants and animals spontaneously.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Not really. I grew up in a big city and our contact with nature was limited. The only real natural element near us was the sea and even though we visited it often it was really more of a leisure activity than anything else. However, in the spiritual community I lived in, Nature was deeply respected, almost worshipped. My teacher was an avid lover of nature and the environment of the community was lush and energised.
Now? I don’t really have any one favourite place yet I love being in nature.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I would say that I have several favourite animals. The Indian cow to me is the epitome of elegance, grace and beauty. The elephant I love because of the gentleness that emanates from it. However I have never really had the chance to know either of these intimately. In the past few years I have had several dogs and cats in my life and I am grateful to them because they have taught me how to love. I have often experienced a psychic connection with the cats in my life - telepathic communications and uncanny coincidences. The cat has taught me that it is indeed possible for humans to communicate with other species as clearly as they do with each other. The dogs I have known on the other hand have been generous with their affection and joy.
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 feel that the inner disconnect between humans and nature is the source of all current environmental challenges. This could possible be because most of us are also disconnected from our own inner selves, unable to control our thoughts and emotions, making choices out of fear and discontentment.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
My advice to folks would be to learn to love nature. To keenly observe her and relish the beauty and grace of all things natural. Once peoples hearts have opened to the immense beauty and compassion that nature embodies, conservation will become a priority for them in their own personal lives but also in the choices they make as professionals, government officials or corporate executives. The links between conservation and human survival will become clear - because even though these issues seem complex and entangled - they really stem from a simple truth - that we do not love nature anymore.
November 17, 2006
Joan Brown, osf
Franciscan sister, president of interfaith non-profit, Partnership for Earth Spirituality (http://www.earthspirituality.org/)
Today's Date: November 17, 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I am from a farm in the bluestem prairie land of Kansas. My family still farms. My life there growing up still forms and informs my personal choices, lifestyle and ministry. My relationship with the earth and sky are significant, ie. seeing the stars at night, watching thunderstorms build in summer, walking to catch the country bus and feeling the ever present winds of Kansas on the plains (not a favorite element, but formative), the smell of soil plowed, standing in fresh rainwater streams and rivulets in our dry region, being part of the immense sky with sunrises and sunsets of firey colors. The sensual engagements of living within the earth community on the farm is significant.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
A pond where I could see sunrises and sunsets, watch the stars at night and hear the frogs croak in the summer...I felt such an intimacy and being known by the Holy One and being part of a large sacredness of life.
Now? I live in the city and it is my backyard in this arid region where we live on one of the original acequias from which we receive water from the Rio Grande and irrigate fruit trees, flowering plants and provide habitat for birds, turtles, frogs, a pair of cooper hawks, numerous finches and woodpeckers, bees....we have a year round garden, chickens, ducks and bee hives...
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Deer. Deer has come to me often in times when I needed spiritual wisdom for decisions. She teaches me much and has a deep tradition within scripture such as the psalm "AS a deer longs for running streams, so longs my soul for you my God."
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, global warming and helping people feel a connection with the natural world, seeing themselves as part of a Sacred Earth Community, not outside of nature.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
If we do not care for the earth, we are not caring for our own souls and we do not really care about God. It is vital to know ourselves in an integrated way as human beings and so important to live this out in our lifestyles as a gift for the children. This is the most important action and must be part of addressing policy issues.
Today's Date: November 17, 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I am from a farm in the bluestem prairie land of Kansas. My family still farms. My life there growing up still forms and informs my personal choices, lifestyle and ministry. My relationship with the earth and sky are significant, ie. seeing the stars at night, watching thunderstorms build in summer, walking to catch the country bus and feeling the ever present winds of Kansas on the plains (not a favorite element, but formative), the smell of soil plowed, standing in fresh rainwater streams and rivulets in our dry region, being part of the immense sky with sunrises and sunsets of firey colors. The sensual engagements of living within the earth community on the farm is significant.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
A pond where I could see sunrises and sunsets, watch the stars at night and hear the frogs croak in the summer...I felt such an intimacy and being known by the Holy One and being part of a large sacredness of life.
Now? I live in the city and it is my backyard in this arid region where we live on one of the original acequias from which we receive water from the Rio Grande and irrigate fruit trees, flowering plants and provide habitat for birds, turtles, frogs, a pair of cooper hawks, numerous finches and woodpeckers, bees....we have a year round garden, chickens, ducks and bee hives...
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Deer. Deer has come to me often in times when I needed spiritual wisdom for decisions. She teaches me much and has a deep tradition within scripture such as the psalm "AS a deer longs for running streams, so longs my soul for you my God."
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, global warming and helping people feel a connection with the natural world, seeing themselves as part of a Sacred Earth Community, not outside of nature.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
If we do not care for the earth, we are not caring for our own souls and we do not really care about God. It is vital to know ourselves in an integrated way as human beings and so important to live this out in our lifestyles as a gift for the children. This is the most important action and must be part of addressing policy issues.
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