Mass Audubon
Today's Date: 8/28/06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
In my early thirties, my husband and I vacationed at a house in New Hampshire that had a Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Birds. Not only did I realize for the first time how many bird species there are, I was able to identify those that I saw.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
The beaches of Cape Cod---during the off-season.
Now? Mass Audubon Sanctuaries and the national parks that I have visited.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Birds and insects.
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?
Loss of wildlife habitat due to development and global warming.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Get involved in land protection in your local community.
Thanks to my sister Michelle McIlroy for designing the logo!
August 28, 2006
Lajos Endrédi
Conservationist in Kittenberger Zoo, Hungary
Today's Date: 28.08.2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I have many “biggest impacts”… The latest was during a research on our lions and chimpanzees. We observed the behavioural effects of intensive environmental enrichment program on whole daily activities. I had arranged, and I had set the materials for it, and I was waiting… It was great to see not only the effects not only on lions and chimpanzees, but on their keepers and spectators too.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
I spent my childhood on the natural banks of the Danube . I explored the new sandbanks in every summer, the animals of the unique area, and naturally the fruits of nature when I was got hungry…
Now? Unfortunately, the Danube has changed… There are no sandbanks (because of the safe sailing), the water is dirty, so swimming is too risky in it. Now I like to be in the Adriatic coast, in Croatia . I like the historical Mediterranean spirit, the sea, and naturally the wildlife of it.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
As a collection manager, always the latest animal I have arranged. But, there is a permanent favourite: the coati. Why? I think who met them, surely knows.
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 live in a country, where the environmentalism is a very low ranked question. Maintaining of (decreasing) living standard consumes the energy of people, where is no tradition of environmentalism. There aren’t wish to think about the long term future. I think this problem is typical for the all relatively poor, but well industrialized countries, as the Eastern European countries.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
The life can survive the human, but we can’t survive ourselves… One thing we should do: prolonging the deadline.
Today's Date: 28.08.2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I have many “biggest impacts”… The latest was during a research on our lions and chimpanzees. We observed the behavioural effects of intensive environmental enrichment program on whole daily activities. I had arranged, and I had set the materials for it, and I was waiting… It was great to see not only the effects not only on lions and chimpanzees, but on their keepers and spectators too.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
I spent my childhood on the natural banks of the Danube . I explored the new sandbanks in every summer, the animals of the unique area, and naturally the fruits of nature when I was got hungry…
Now? Unfortunately, the Danube has changed… There are no sandbanks (because of the safe sailing), the water is dirty, so swimming is too risky in it. Now I like to be in the Adriatic coast, in Croatia . I like the historical Mediterranean spirit, the sea, and naturally the wildlife of it.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
As a collection manager, always the latest animal I have arranged. But, there is a permanent favourite: the coati. Why? I think who met them, surely knows.
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 live in a country, where the environmentalism is a very low ranked question. Maintaining of (decreasing) living standard consumes the energy of people, where is no tradition of environmentalism. There aren’t wish to think about the long term future. I think this problem is typical for the all relatively poor, but well industrialized countries, as the Eastern European countries.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
The life can survive the human, but we can’t survive ourselves… One thing we should do: prolonging the deadline.
Tamlin Grier
Freelance Photographer, South Africa
Today's Date: 28 - 09 - 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
For me it has to be going to the forest in Wilderness by myself I was filled with so much joy and freedom everything seemed to come alive I wasn’t observing it anymore but for the first time I felt like I was truly apart of everything that surrounded me
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
I grew up always being somehow in the outdoors either beach, or farms nothing specific just outside in general
Now? Anywhere outdoors outside of cityscapes fresh air doesn’t matter where
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I can't think of a specific one but since childhood black panther's and Indian tigers have always fascinated me their whole presence and respect that they demand and their elusive nature
just magical creatures
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'm no professional but i would have to say that I think it has to be our eating habits we've become so use to putting our wants before our needs in all aspects of our life that it has lost its sacredness thus leaving us void of rational thinking and we end up using and abusing all natural resources putting all kinds of toxins into our natural environment and our bodies which are supposed to be holy temples
one of the greatest challenges i think is not what we need to change physically but our mindsets about life
first we think then we feel then we act
so to change anything we need to go to the root our hearts and minds
challenge ourselves and our so called beliefs
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Become more aware, fill the emptiness you have inside with it's true longing a spiritual relationship with God and start living your lives according to His laws not our flawed understanding thereof
Today's Date: 28 - 09 - 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
For me it has to be going to the forest in Wilderness by myself I was filled with so much joy and freedom everything seemed to come alive I wasn’t observing it anymore but for the first time I felt like I was truly apart of everything that surrounded me
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
I grew up always being somehow in the outdoors either beach, or farms nothing specific just outside in general
Now? Anywhere outdoors outside of cityscapes fresh air doesn’t matter where
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I can't think of a specific one but since childhood black panther's and Indian tigers have always fascinated me their whole presence and respect that they demand and their elusive nature
just magical creatures
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'm no professional but i would have to say that I think it has to be our eating habits we've become so use to putting our wants before our needs in all aspects of our life that it has lost its sacredness thus leaving us void of rational thinking and we end up using and abusing all natural resources putting all kinds of toxins into our natural environment and our bodies which are supposed to be holy temples
one of the greatest challenges i think is not what we need to change physically but our mindsets about life
first we think then we feel then we act
so to change anything we need to go to the root our hearts and minds
challenge ourselves and our so called beliefs
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Become more aware, fill the emptiness you have inside with it's true longing a spiritual relationship with God and start living your lives according to His laws not our flawed understanding thereof
Jo Melton Butler
Hog Hollow Country Lodge, South Africa
Today's Date: 28 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Seeing the poor polar bear having to walk round and round and round in a dingy pit at the Johannesburg Zoo
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Not specifically.
Now? The Eastern Cape in general
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I didn't have a particular favourite, I find most animals fascintating. But I always found zoos depressing and hated outings there. The first time I reaslied there were zoos which were kind to captive creatures was when I read Gerald Durrell, but I've never had the privilege of visiting 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?
Well our greatest environmental challenge is the human race and it's incipient greed. The greatest challenge I suppose would be to effectively channel that greed to make it profitable to look after our environment
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Start in your small garden or home and see how you can be effective. Pass that on to your friends - a ripple effect.
Today's Date: 28 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Seeing the poor polar bear having to walk round and round and round in a dingy pit at the Johannesburg Zoo
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Not specifically.
Now? The Eastern Cape in general
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I didn't have a particular favourite, I find most animals fascintating. But I always found zoos depressing and hated outings there. The first time I reaslied there were zoos which were kind to captive creatures was when I read Gerald Durrell, but I've never had the privilege of visiting 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?
Well our greatest environmental challenge is the human race and it's incipient greed. The greatest challenge I suppose would be to effectively channel that greed to make it profitable to look after our environment
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Start in your small garden or home and see how you can be effective. Pass that on to your friends - a ripple effect.
Shelley Sawhook
President, United Equine Foundation
Today’s Date: 28 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I learn something from animals every day, but there is one that means more than all the others. I had back surgery and it went badly. There was a time that the possibility was that I might not walk. I was bedridden and one day while working on the computer I found out about some horses that were facing death if enough homes and funds were raised to help them. I worked day and night on the issue and even was able to adopt 2 of the horses myself. I worked very hard to get up and be able to walk to the pasture to care for them. I may have saved them, but they saved me as well.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Walking in the woods.
Now? Any contact with nature, the backyard after dark with the night birds and nature sounds are my favorite.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I have so many favorites, but the top is the American Mustang. Watching a herd of mustangs running free is one of the most beautiful uplifting sights any human can experience.
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?
Environmentally we are faced with so many challenges, and I can't say that any one is more pressing than any other. I do feel that most of it boils down to man's greed. We are willing to sell out another species' existence (and even our own) for such a low price and we lose our souls in the process.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
I find that often I am not as articulate as I should be, but there are many quotes that sum it up well. One of my favorites is "Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace." Albert Schweitzer
Today’s Date: 28 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I learn something from animals every day, but there is one that means more than all the others. I had back surgery and it went badly. There was a time that the possibility was that I might not walk. I was bedridden and one day while working on the computer I found out about some horses that were facing death if enough homes and funds were raised to help them. I worked day and night on the issue and even was able to adopt 2 of the horses myself. I worked very hard to get up and be able to walk to the pasture to care for them. I may have saved them, but they saved me as well.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Walking in the woods.
Now? Any contact with nature, the backyard after dark with the night birds and nature sounds are my favorite.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I have so many favorites, but the top is the American Mustang. Watching a herd of mustangs running free is one of the most beautiful uplifting sights any human can experience.
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?
Environmentally we are faced with so many challenges, and I can't say that any one is more pressing than any other. I do feel that most of it boils down to man's greed. We are willing to sell out another species' existence (and even our own) for such a low price and we lose our souls in the process.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
I find that often I am not as articulate as I should be, but there are many quotes that sum it up well. One of my favorites is "Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace." Albert Schweitzer
Audun Hjertager
Marine Biologist, Bergen Aquarium, Norway
Today's Date: 28 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
A low budget sailing trip from Norway to Australia aboard an old sailing vessel
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
One of them was a hut in a tree.
Now? The sea
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
My favourite animal is our cat, because I know her personality best. Generallly I like benthic sea animals like echinoderms, sponges, crustaceans because of strange structures and great diversity.
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 to reduce human induced climatic change (global warming). In the future, the challenge will be to live with it.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
If you are in doubt - believe in the international society, start with the UN.
Today's Date: 28 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
A low budget sailing trip from Norway to Australia aboard an old sailing vessel
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
One of them was a hut in a tree.
Now? The sea
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
My favourite animal is our cat, because I know her personality best. Generallly I like benthic sea animals like echinoderms, sponges, crustaceans because of strange structures and great diversity.
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 to reduce human induced climatic change (global warming). In the future, the challenge will be to live with it.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
If you are in doubt - believe in the international society, start with the UN.
Ms. CHIK Suet-ha
Deputy Manager, Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens
Today's Date: 28.8.2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
When I was young, my father brought us a puppy. We live with the puppy for three days and it was abandoned by my mother. I cried and missed it very much and hoping that I will keep another puppy if chance arise.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
When I was young, we climbing up and down in a mountain which was our favourite place for leisure.
Now? I like to go overseas for traveling
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Orangutan is my favourite animal because it is clever
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?
Environmental pollution and destruction.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Protect our environment means protect our treasure. Using or trial use of nuclear missile leads to the end of the earth.
Today's Date: 28.8.2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
When I was young, my father brought us a puppy. We live with the puppy for three days and it was abandoned by my mother. I cried and missed it very much and hoping that I will keep another puppy if chance arise.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
When I was young, we climbing up and down in a mountain which was our favourite place for leisure.
Now? I like to go overseas for traveling
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Orangutan is my favourite animal because it is clever
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?
Environmental pollution and destruction.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Protect our environment means protect our treasure. Using or trial use of nuclear missile leads to the end of the earth.
August 27, 2006
Dr. Hem Sagar Baral
CEO at Bird Conservation Nepal
Today's Date: 27 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
The massive work done by the ants family to continue their traditions and progeny, the struggle of a Garden Lizard Calotes versicolor to find a prey and suitable habitat in deteriorating urban settings of Kathmandu Valley are some of the biggest impact I have had from nature.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
I used to venture along a forested stream leading to dense forests close to my home town in the farwest Nepal. Sadly much of this is already gone.
Now? Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve has to be my favourite place in the lowland Nepal, and mountains of east Nepal are favourites in the highland areas.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
My favorite animal is Ibisbill. Its unique shape, subtle colour, habitat of breeding in glaciated Himalayan valleys, sole representation in its family and of course its beauty are some of the points that make this animal my favourite.
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?
Population growth and associated poverty is and will remain to be the greatest environmental challenge.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Let's be selfish, conserve it for us and our children!
Today's Date: 27 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
The massive work done by the ants family to continue their traditions and progeny, the struggle of a Garden Lizard Calotes versicolor to find a prey and suitable habitat in deteriorating urban settings of Kathmandu Valley are some of the biggest impact I have had from nature.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
I used to venture along a forested stream leading to dense forests close to my home town in the farwest Nepal. Sadly much of this is already gone.
Now? Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve has to be my favourite place in the lowland Nepal, and mountains of east Nepal are favourites in the highland areas.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
My favorite animal is Ibisbill. Its unique shape, subtle colour, habitat of breeding in glaciated Himalayan valleys, sole representation in its family and of course its beauty are some of the points that make this animal my favourite.
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?
Population growth and associated poverty is and will remain to be the greatest environmental challenge.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Let's be selfish, conserve it for us and our children!
August 26, 2006
Monteen McCord
Founder/Executive Director - HawkTalk, Speaking For The Wild
Today’s Date: 8/26/06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
The first owl patient that I met while working for a vet in 1983. It was life changing and put me on my current path
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Anywhere my daddy was...he was in the woods of north central Florida a lot and introduced me to the woods and water.
Now? In my swing by the pond throwing hornworms to the bullfrogs.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Owls. They are incredibly soft. They smell good. My owls have awesome personalities. They are very clean and rarely make a mess while feeding because they prefer to swallow their food whole. And last but not least, they are easier to clean up behind because they poop straight down as opposed to leaning over and slicing out like their hawk brethren.
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?
Breeding. And breeding.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Add contraception to all the drinking water EVERYWHERE and give the planet a rest to recover some of her natural resources.
Today’s Date: 8/26/06
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
The first owl patient that I met while working for a vet in 1983. It was life changing and put me on my current path
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Anywhere my daddy was...he was in the woods of north central Florida a lot and introduced me to the woods and water.
Now? In my swing by the pond throwing hornworms to the bullfrogs.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Owls. They are incredibly soft. They smell good. My owls have awesome personalities. They are very clean and rarely make a mess while feeding because they prefer to swallow their food whole. And last but not least, they are easier to clean up behind because they poop straight down as opposed to leaning over and slicing out like their hawk brethren.
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?
Breeding. And breeding.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Add contraception to all the drinking water EVERYWHERE and give the planet a rest to recover some of her natural resources.
Shelley Soetosenojo
Environmental Officer/Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment, Suriname
Today's Date: 26 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
The caring and protective nature of my dog pets
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood? yes
Now? yes
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
the kangaroo, because of its beauty, cuddliness yet its very different from other animals of its sort.
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?
current/future environmental challenge: changing peoples attitude towards their environment
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: cherish it!
Today's Date: 26 August 2006
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
The caring and protective nature of my dog pets
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood? yes
Now? yes
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
the kangaroo, because of its beauty, cuddliness yet its very different from other animals of its sort.
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?
current/future environmental challenge: changing peoples attitude towards their environment
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: cherish it!
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