Director, Centre for Coastal Environmental Conservation (CCEC), Bangladesh
Today’s Date: 14 March 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Yellow Monitor Lizard, a key stone but endangered species of Sundarban (UNESCO declared World Heritage site) region made me dedicated to undertake for its conservation because the lizards are used as a bait for crab harvesting by promoting nature conservation ethics and occupational ethics among the Sundarban crab collectors. Moreover I was brought up in the village and fears while seeing them in our wild gardens and ditches when it came to home yard for eating chicks. I have the experience to observe fighting between snake and lizard several times at the back side of our home full of weeds, ditch, pond and canal linked with river.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
My village named Shialidanga under Batiaghata Upazilla of Khulna District of Bangladesh where different flora, fauna covered the area including Yellow Monitor Lizard.
Now? The wild garden, herbs and thicket disappears due to increased salinity caused by global warming.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Monkey because they are our immediate ancestors and good friend of deer by warn them making noise and throwing branches from the top of the tree in order to escape the deer from tiger at the Sundarban Mangrove Reserved Forests (SMRF)
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?
Climate Change is the greatest environmental threat that the humankind has faced so far and the impacts are high for the low-lying countries situated at low altitude and nearby sea such as Bangladesh and Maldeep. Due to adverse impact of the global climate change, we will loose our Sundarban (our shelter prevent from frequent cyclone, flood and tidal bore) by next 50 years thus loose our buffer thus our pride and image of the Bengal tiger, the flagship species.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
a) ACT NOW for the conservation of our mother Earth, the planet, the nature
b) Show yourself by doing before instruct others for doing
c) Think globally and act locally
Thanks to my sister Michelle McIlroy for designing the logo!
March 26, 2007
March 10, 2007
Paul Smith
FAUNA Paraguay (www.faunaparaguay.com)
Today’s Date: 7 March 07
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Seeing a giraffe in the zoo for the first time when I was still in a pram!
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
andalucia spain
Now? still andalucia, but also paraguay a beautiful but little visited country. San Rafael NP is the most beautiful place on earth, unfortunately it might not be around for much longer!
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
don’t have a particular favourite, least favourite is the Aedes aegyptii mosquito!
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?
facing is now the biggest challenge of convincing people that it really is important! Govts know it’s important but don’t care, people in the street need to know that it is something that directly affects them! In the future I fear it might be too late to do anything about it!
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
learn to observe instead of just looking - a little bit of knowledge about an animal or plant makes it that much more beautiful and opens up doors to a whole new world of appreciation
Today’s Date: 7 March 07
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Seeing a giraffe in the zoo for the first time when I was still in a pram!
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
andalucia spain
Now? still andalucia, but also paraguay a beautiful but little visited country. San Rafael NP is the most beautiful place on earth, unfortunately it might not be around for much longer!
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
don’t have a particular favourite, least favourite is the Aedes aegyptii mosquito!
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?
facing is now the biggest challenge of convincing people that it really is important! Govts know it’s important but don’t care, people in the street need to know that it is something that directly affects them! In the future I fear it might be too late to do anything about it!
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
learn to observe instead of just looking - a little bit of knowledge about an animal or plant makes it that much more beautiful and opens up doors to a whole new world of appreciation
March 06, 2007
Fernando Simal
Manager, Washington Slagbaai National Park, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
Today's Date: 28 02 07
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
There are too many, can’t pick one in particular.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
No, too many can’t pick one.
Now? No, too many, can’t pick one.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
No one in particular, I enjoy the set up of how the ecosystems work and truly enjoy all animals and plants. As a rock climber I envy the geckos, that’s it.
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. Educating people, changing people perceptions. Improving social conditions, I can’t expect a person to understand and accept environmental issues if the person is hungry and can’t provide properly for his / her family. On the developed countries change the perception of the more I have the happier I will be.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Stop overpopulating and stop over consuming.
Today's Date: 28 02 07
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
There are too many, can’t pick one in particular.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
No, too many can’t pick one.
Now? No, too many, can’t pick one.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
No one in particular, I enjoy the set up of how the ecosystems work and truly enjoy all animals and plants. As a rock climber I envy the geckos, that’s it.
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. Educating people, changing people perceptions. Improving social conditions, I can’t expect a person to understand and accept environmental issues if the person is hungry and can’t provide properly for his / her family. On the developed countries change the perception of the more I have the happier I will be.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Stop overpopulating and stop over consuming.
Steve West
biology teacher, Carlsbad High School and president, Chihuahuan Desert Conservation Alliance
Today's Date: 1 March 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
These questions are difficult because there are so many possible answers. This is one of the tough ones. Cave Swallow. I started a banding program on this species in 1978 and have continued it to this year. We have banded over 18,000 individuals and have learned so much about this largely forgotten species. Seen some great country, caves and worked with over 5000 people in the project since its inception.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Rattlesnake Springs, a small piece of National Park Service property that was purchased to provide water for the park but has turned into a great spot for neotropical migrants, T/E species and a small slice of good riparian area in the Chihuahuan Desert.
Now? Each summer I leave the country and explore a new area and have loved every place I visited. 2006-Australia, 2005-Ecuadore, 2004-Brasil, 2003-Mexico, 2002- arctic Canada, etc.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Hard to say. When I made my first trip to Africa in 1997, someone asked me what my favorite bird was. I answered Giraffe without hesitation. I know it's not a bird but it was the neatest thing I saw on the trip. I guess everything I see is my favorite.
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, which is fueling the threats of climate change and habitat destruction.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Every day, do something, however small, that helps the planet and all of its inhabitants.
Today's Date: 1 March 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
These questions are difficult because there are so many possible answers. This is one of the tough ones. Cave Swallow. I started a banding program on this species in 1978 and have continued it to this year. We have banded over 18,000 individuals and have learned so much about this largely forgotten species. Seen some great country, caves and worked with over 5000 people in the project since its inception.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Rattlesnake Springs, a small piece of National Park Service property that was purchased to provide water for the park but has turned into a great spot for neotropical migrants, T/E species and a small slice of good riparian area in the Chihuahuan Desert.
Now? Each summer I leave the country and explore a new area and have loved every place I visited. 2006-Australia, 2005-Ecuadore, 2004-Brasil, 2003-Mexico, 2002- arctic Canada, etc.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Hard to say. When I made my first trip to Africa in 1997, someone asked me what my favorite bird was. I answered Giraffe without hesitation. I know it's not a bird but it was the neatest thing I saw on the trip. I guess everything I see is my favorite.
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, which is fueling the threats of climate change and habitat destruction.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Every day, do something, however small, that helps the planet and all of its inhabitants.
February 27, 2007
Rabbi Lawrence Troster
GreenFaith
Today's Date: 02/26/07
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
When I was younger, I went on many canoe trips in Northern Ontario (I am originally from Toronto). These are the most importance interactions that I have had. More recently, summer of 2001, wilderness kayaking trip in Alaska and many others since then.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The lake that my camp was on.
Now? No, there are many. I like the mountains and oceans particularly.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Hard to say. I really like dogs because of their emotional response to humans. But I am particularly awed by large birds, especially raptors.
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?
Climate change. Species extinction.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
We are part of the environment. It is not "out there" in the wilderness. It is all interconnected. And we need to realize that at every moment of our lives.
Today's Date: 02/26/07
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
When I was younger, I went on many canoe trips in Northern Ontario (I am originally from Toronto). These are the most importance interactions that I have had. More recently, summer of 2001, wilderness kayaking trip in Alaska and many others since then.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The lake that my camp was on.
Now? No, there are many. I like the mountains and oceans particularly.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Hard to say. I really like dogs because of their emotional response to humans. But I am particularly awed by large birds, especially raptors.
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?
Climate change. Species extinction.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
We are part of the environment. It is not "out there" in the wilderness. It is all interconnected. And we need to realize that at every moment of our lives.
Danae Werthmann
Administrative Assistant, Algalita Marine Research Foundation (and full-time student at CSULB)
Today's Date: February 21, 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Not really sure about this one, but seeing butterflies and learning about their existence as a little girl made me appreciate the value of nature, animals and their habitat. Or learning from the Bible how God created the Earth and humans were suppose to be stewards of the earth and care for all the other living things.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
a tree, really any tree that I was able to climb up into and trying to always reach for the top, so I could see what was around
Now? the beach, anywhere that I can hike
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I would have to say a dog, I've always wanted one and when I actually have a home of my own and going to finally own one.
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?
right now: carbon emissions and global warming, in the future (if the first can be resolved): plastic debris/pollution (that is pretty persistent now and causing huge problems)
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
First be aware of what is around you and try to do NO harm as best you know how, and then learn more about your local environment and how to protect, maintain, restore it, etc. so you could do your part.
Today's Date: February 21, 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Not really sure about this one, but seeing butterflies and learning about their existence as a little girl made me appreciate the value of nature, animals and their habitat. Or learning from the Bible how God created the Earth and humans were suppose to be stewards of the earth and care for all the other living things.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
a tree, really any tree that I was able to climb up into and trying to always reach for the top, so I could see what was around
Now? the beach, anywhere that I can hike
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I would have to say a dog, I've always wanted one and when I actually have a home of my own and going to finally own one.
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?
right now: carbon emissions and global warming, in the future (if the first can be resolved): plastic debris/pollution (that is pretty persistent now and causing huge problems)
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
First be aware of what is around you and try to do NO harm as best you know how, and then learn more about your local environment and how to protect, maintain, restore it, etc. so you could do your part.
February 16, 2007
Kokou Kouami
Faculty of Sciences, University of Lomé, Togo
Today's Date: 16-02-07
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
To assist to the destruction of forest fragment around my village
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Farm
Now? Forest
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Giraffe
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 disappearing of the forest all over the tropical word and the challenge is to reconstitute them
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
To be careful on our manner to use natural resources
Today's Date: 16-02-07
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
To assist to the destruction of forest fragment around my village
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Farm
Now? Forest
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Giraffe
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 disappearing of the forest all over the tropical word and the challenge is to reconstitute them
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
To be careful on our manner to use natural resources
February 15, 2007
Victoria Lichtschein
Secretaría de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sustentable, Argentina
Today's Date: February 15, 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Working with right whales in Peninsula Valdés, Argentina.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes, many, I live in a beautiful country.
Now? The same goes for now.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
All animals are my favourite, even those nobody likes: for example, I love reptiles and I LOVE sharks.
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?
Undoubtedly deforestation. The world is losing its forests at a scandalous rate. My country is suffering from this very badly and we are losing all of our native forests to agriculture, mainly soybean.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Taking care of the environment for ourselves and our children is the difference between being civilized or not...there is no choice between taking care of the environment and progress, that is a falacious choice.
Today's Date: February 15, 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Working with right whales in Peninsula Valdés, Argentina.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes, many, I live in a beautiful country.
Now? The same goes for now.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
All animals are my favourite, even those nobody likes: for example, I love reptiles and I LOVE sharks.
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?
Undoubtedly deforestation. The world is losing its forests at a scandalous rate. My country is suffering from this very badly and we are losing all of our native forests to agriculture, mainly soybean.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Taking care of the environment for ourselves and our children is the difference between being civilized or not...there is no choice between taking care of the environment and progress, that is a falacious choice.
February 14, 2007
Ladislav Ambros, RNDr.
Director of Landscape Tending Department/Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic
Today's Date: 14 Feb 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I born as the son one from the forest managers and all my life is with the interaction with an animal and nature.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
That is midland of the South Slovakia.
Now? The same place.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I have more favorite animals - from insects, frogs, fish, birds and mammalia, but one was my nickname - hedgehog... I have the same animus.
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?
That is a Climate Change and big number diminishing species. In the future is the global interactions between species and ecosystems / start now.../
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
We need not only protection and conservation of the nature, we need better control of the challenges in the nature.
Today's Date: 14 Feb 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I born as the son one from the forest managers and all my life is with the interaction with an animal and nature.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
That is midland of the South Slovakia.
Now? The same place.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I have more favorite animals - from insects, frogs, fish, birds and mammalia, but one was my nickname - hedgehog... I have the same animus.
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?
That is a Climate Change and big number diminishing species. In the future is the global interactions between species and ecosystems / start now.../
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
We need not only protection and conservation of the nature, we need better control of the challenges in the nature.
David Rovere
Tierra del Volcan, Ecuador
Today's Date: 13 Feb 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
For me the pink dolphin in amazon in Ecuador
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes the vilcamamba zone in the south Of country
Now? Zancudococha in the jungle
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Pink dolphin because its hard to exist for a dolphin and it´s not common it´s a survivor
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?
Preserve the jungle because is the last chance for sweet water
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Jungle in Brazil , Bolivia , Peru , Colombia an Ecuador , and also the strow (paramo) in Ecuador , Perú and Chile
Today's Date: 13 Feb 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
For me the pink dolphin in amazon in Ecuador
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes the vilcamamba zone in the south Of country
Now? Zancudococha in the jungle
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Pink dolphin because its hard to exist for a dolphin and it´s not common it´s a survivor
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?
Preserve the jungle because is the last chance for sweet water
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Jungle in Brazil , Bolivia , Peru , Colombia an Ecuador , and also the strow (paramo) in Ecuador , Perú and Chile
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