Fourteen years after graduating from college with a B.S. in Environmental and Forest Biology, Wildlife Management concentration, I have decided to return to school. I am just about to begin a program to earn an MBA in Sustainable Business, with a focus on Green Development. Environmental issues have been interests of me for pretty much my whole life, and I thought that this degree would be a good way of combining that interest with my experiences in the business/retail world. Would be very interested in talking to and networking with people who are involved in this field, whether in a personal or professional capacity. I am taking an accelerated, online version of the program, and if all goes well, should have my degree by the Spring of 2013. Hope to hear from some of you soon regarding this!
Thanks to my sister Michelle McIlroy for designing the logo!
September 18, 2011
August 25, 2011
New Online Store for Earth Survey Project!!
Visit my new online store! All of the products feature the logo designed by my talented artist sister Michelle McIlroy and the proceeds will be used to continue work on the project in the future... Eventually I hope to turn this into a book or documentary, or perhaps tie it in with my MBA in Sustainable Business, which I just enrolled in. Please check back often for new products, and feel free to share this with your friends! The store can be found at http://www.cafepress.com/earthsurveyproject
Thanks,
Jeremy
March 15, 2011
Anonymous
Private Citizen
Today’s Date: 20 December 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
One of the largest influences in my life and one of the reasons that I decided to work in ecological and species conservation was my childhood growing up on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. It is a wilderness lover’s paradise, as is much of Canada, and I spent much of my youth exploring the outdoors and the sea. A particular interaction that specifically caused me to enter into this field of work was witnessing the protests against logging of Carmanah Valley’s old growth forests when I was 18 years old. Our family also had a dog growing up which was very much a part of the family and I believe influenced me in caring for the welfare of animals and species.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
One of my favorite places to be when I was a child was either the forests close to my home or an island close to the community where I grew up called Sidney Island. We had a boat growing up and would travel with other families to the uninhabited island to camp and swim and hike. It is a quiet island surrounded by sandy beaches, much bird and sea life and is an excellent place to be on a sunny day.
Now? I would say that one of my favorite places today is either Garibaldi Lake in Garibaldi Park, British Columbia or Krabi, Thailand where I visited several years ago. They combine two amazing outdoor features – the pristine mountains and glaciers of Garibaldi Park and the clear, warm, fish-laden waters of Krabi. These areas symbolize both a beautiful and species-rich wilderness environment for me.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
If I had to pick one animal as a favorite, it would probably be the tiger, followed in close second by the dolphin. I believe tigers to be physically gorgeous and intelligent animals and feel that they very much encapsulate the species extinction crisis we face today. I read a “Time magazine” article on the dire circumstances of tigers in the wild when I was about 20 years old and the urgency of the article’s message has stayed with me all this time, 15 years later. I adore dolphins because of their intelligence, playfulness, and 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?
I think that the greatest environmental challenge facing humanity now as well as in the future is climate change. It is such a massive problem and the result of so many entrenched human activities that I think it will be extremely difficult to deal with it now and for many years in the future. It is an environmental problem that will truly affect all aspects of life, including species loss on land and in the sea.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
If I could give one piece of advice regarding the environment, I would say that it would be for each individual to think very carefully regarding their actions in daily life, particularly regarding driving vehicles, flying in airplanes, energy consumption in homes, recycling, and purchasing products. There are many ways that we can easily help the environment through our actions, through being aware of the impact of our actions. I believe it is a very exciting concept to think of how our intelligent actions today can help keep our environment healthy and bountiful for future generations. I would like to know that people 100, 500 and thousands of years in the future will still be able to say that there are tigers and many other beautiful and important species living and flourishing in the wild. Humans need a healthy environment and species populations for their livelihoods just as much as they need us and our careful actions to preserve them.
Received via postal mail
Today’s Date: 20 December 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
One of the largest influences in my life and one of the reasons that I decided to work in ecological and species conservation was my childhood growing up on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. It is a wilderness lover’s paradise, as is much of Canada, and I spent much of my youth exploring the outdoors and the sea. A particular interaction that specifically caused me to enter into this field of work was witnessing the protests against logging of Carmanah Valley’s old growth forests when I was 18 years old. Our family also had a dog growing up which was very much a part of the family and I believe influenced me in caring for the welfare of animals and species.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
One of my favorite places to be when I was a child was either the forests close to my home or an island close to the community where I grew up called Sidney Island. We had a boat growing up and would travel with other families to the uninhabited island to camp and swim and hike. It is a quiet island surrounded by sandy beaches, much bird and sea life and is an excellent place to be on a sunny day.
Now? I would say that one of my favorite places today is either Garibaldi Lake in Garibaldi Park, British Columbia or Krabi, Thailand where I visited several years ago. They combine two amazing outdoor features – the pristine mountains and glaciers of Garibaldi Park and the clear, warm, fish-laden waters of Krabi. These areas symbolize both a beautiful and species-rich wilderness environment for me.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
If I had to pick one animal as a favorite, it would probably be the tiger, followed in close second by the dolphin. I believe tigers to be physically gorgeous and intelligent animals and feel that they very much encapsulate the species extinction crisis we face today. I read a “Time magazine” article on the dire circumstances of tigers in the wild when I was about 20 years old and the urgency of the article’s message has stayed with me all this time, 15 years later. I adore dolphins because of their intelligence, playfulness, and 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?
I think that the greatest environmental challenge facing humanity now as well as in the future is climate change. It is such a massive problem and the result of so many entrenched human activities that I think it will be extremely difficult to deal with it now and for many years in the future. It is an environmental problem that will truly affect all aspects of life, including species loss on land and in the sea.
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
If I could give one piece of advice regarding the environment, I would say that it would be for each individual to think very carefully regarding their actions in daily life, particularly regarding driving vehicles, flying in airplanes, energy consumption in homes, recycling, and purchasing products. There are many ways that we can easily help the environment through our actions, through being aware of the impact of our actions. I believe it is a very exciting concept to think of how our intelligent actions today can help keep our environment healthy and bountiful for future generations. I would like to know that people 100, 500 and thousands of years in the future will still be able to say that there are tigers and many other beautiful and important species living and flourishing in the wild. Humans need a healthy environment and species populations for their livelihoods just as much as they need us and our careful actions to preserve them.
Received via postal mail
February 01, 2011
Logo for the Earth Survey Project
Jeremy
January 25, 2011
International Year of Forests, 2011
A couple of links about International Year of Forests, thought it might be of interest....
Save forests. Save ourselves | BirdLife Community
It's now official - 2011 is the UN International year of the forests. BirdLife welcomes the spotlight this year falling on the lungs of our planet and home to the majority of the World's biodiversity, said Dr Marco Lambertini, BirdLife International's Chief Executive.
http://www.birdlife.org/community/2011/01/save-forests-save-ourselves/
International Year of Forests, 2011
Welcome to the International Year of Forests, 2011 (Forests 2011) Web site, a global platform to celebrate people's action to sustainably manage the world's forests. The United Nations General Assembly declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests.
Here, you will find information regarding events being organised throughout the International Year as well as interactive web tools and resources to promote dialogue on forests. Tell us how you plan to celebrate "forests for people" during 2011, so that we may showcase your stories and initiatives through this website.
http://www.un.org/en/events/iyof2011/
______________________________________________
"We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors; we borrow it from our Children." ~Native American proverb
September 18, 2010
Rafael Rodriguez Mojica
NatuCaribe
July 23, 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
The interaction with birds change my life when I was 12 years old. The adventure of going to the field and identify new birds species and their habitats was and still is a thrill.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood? How about now??
Now I enjoy bird and nature photography.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
The Hyacinth Macaws are awesome 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?
Getting to convince people, industries and governments about how to reduce carbon emissions. Continue space exploration and colonize other planets.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Learn to love Mother Nature and its wonders.
July 23, 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
The interaction with birds change my life when I was 12 years old. The adventure of going to the field and identify new birds species and their habitats was and still is a thrill.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood? How about now??
Now I enjoy bird and nature photography.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
The Hyacinth Macaws are awesome 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?
Getting to convince people, industries and governments about how to reduce carbon emissions. Continue space exploration and colonize other planets.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Learn to love Mother Nature and its wonders.
Anonymous
Private Citizen
July 23, 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
That truly is impossible to determine. Hiking the Adirondacks and exploring the fields and creek near my childhood home are the first two things that came to mind.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood? How about now??
I had a spot near a creek that i would go to when i was upset- the bubbling sound was soothing. There was a hollow tree across the fields and into a patch of woods that was full of woodpecker holes. It was a special place while it was standing and after it fell. I loved hiking the Adirondacks, as a child and still as an adult. The feeling of ... immersion, i suppose, sang for me as a child.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
lol oh, to pick a favorite?? I could say 'chimp' because i find Goodall's observations fascinating and mirror-like. I could say dog or cat because they've been companion animals to me for so long. I could say wildcats because they fascinated me as a child. I could say falcon for the same reason. I could say chipmunk or chickadee for hours spent observing them. I guess i'll just stop now.
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?
Apathy. Not enough people care about the problems in an effective way. Many aren't even aware of the problems, and if they are are often not very well informed about them. Our environmental problems will improve best once 'environmental impact' becomes factored into our decision making automatically, as a normal part of our decision making process, instead of as an extra step we have to remember to do/ care enough to do.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Do your honest best to consider the environment in your everyday choices. We prioritize finances and convenience over environmental impact far too often. We can't do everything all of the time, but if we all put environmental impact intentionally into our decision making process, we will have enough success to make the crucial difference.
July 23, 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
That truly is impossible to determine. Hiking the Adirondacks and exploring the fields and creek near my childhood home are the first two things that came to mind.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood? How about now??
I had a spot near a creek that i would go to when i was upset- the bubbling sound was soothing. There was a hollow tree across the fields and into a patch of woods that was full of woodpecker holes. It was a special place while it was standing and after it fell. I loved hiking the Adirondacks, as a child and still as an adult. The feeling of ... immersion, i suppose, sang for me as a child.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
lol oh, to pick a favorite?? I could say 'chimp' because i find Goodall's observations fascinating and mirror-like. I could say dog or cat because they've been companion animals to me for so long. I could say wildcats because they fascinated me as a child. I could say falcon for the same reason. I could say chipmunk or chickadee for hours spent observing them. I guess i'll just stop now.
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?
Apathy. Not enough people care about the problems in an effective way. Many aren't even aware of the problems, and if they are are often not very well informed about them. Our environmental problems will improve best once 'environmental impact' becomes factored into our decision making automatically, as a normal part of our decision making process, instead of as an extra step we have to remember to do/ care enough to do.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Do your honest best to consider the environment in your everyday choices. We prioritize finances and convenience over environmental impact far too often. We can't do everything all of the time, but if we all put environmental impact intentionally into our decision making process, we will have enough success to make the crucial difference.
Lindsey Duval
http://themigrationstation.blogspot.com
July 23, 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Last summer (2008) I interned with Audubon Pennsylvania. Part of my duties was to put up mist nests and band birds, and also to partake in IBA point counts. The incredibly close contact of these birds completely changed the way I viewed them, and got me completely interested in becoming a birder.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood? How about now??
I spent part of my childhood on the now closed (and bulldozed) Loring Air Force Base in Loring, Maine. There used to be a wooded area near a playground on base housing that had trails and an abundance of blueberries. While it's sad to lose a childhood home, I've been more than happy to find out that natural area likely still exists as a nature preserve.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
The turkey vulture. I like that it is a sort of 'underdog' of birds, not loved by very many, and seen as ugly and gross due to it's featherless head and diet of dead animals. Their size alone impresses me, and the fact that they are one of nature's great recyclers fascinates me. I've also been in close contact with them and they really come across as shy, retiring, and fragile birds. People have some misconceptions about how they might attack their dogs or are vicious, but they really are harmless.
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
I think the greatest challenge is to figure out many new ways of living that increase recycling of resources, using "new" resources that have less negative impact on the environment and are not as likely to dry up within decades or centuries, and having cleaner energy. There are, of course, much larger issues at stake, but I think the ones that everyone, including those with little interest in the environment, can take part in are vital.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
To remember that the environment (nature) is essentially everyone's home. I think people easily forget this, living inside their boxes, they feel sheltered from the outside. But really, a house is simply a temporary shelter inside of a much larger house - the Earth. People forgetting this simple fact shows up on the horrified faces of people who lose their homes to forest fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes. It is not a matter of building a bigger or stronger shelter, it's a matter of realizing that you always have that other "home," the environment, and finding ways to replenish it and work WITH it rather than against it.
July 23, 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Last summer (2008) I interned with Audubon Pennsylvania. Part of my duties was to put up mist nests and band birds, and also to partake in IBA point counts. The incredibly close contact of these birds completely changed the way I viewed them, and got me completely interested in becoming a birder.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood? How about now??
I spent part of my childhood on the now closed (and bulldozed) Loring Air Force Base in Loring, Maine. There used to be a wooded area near a playground on base housing that had trails and an abundance of blueberries. While it's sad to lose a childhood home, I've been more than happy to find out that natural area likely still exists as a nature preserve.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
The turkey vulture. I like that it is a sort of 'underdog' of birds, not loved by very many, and seen as ugly and gross due to it's featherless head and diet of dead animals. Their size alone impresses me, and the fact that they are one of nature's great recyclers fascinates me. I've also been in close contact with them and they really come across as shy, retiring, and fragile birds. People have some misconceptions about how they might attack their dogs or are vicious, but they really are harmless.
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
I think the greatest challenge is to figure out many new ways of living that increase recycling of resources, using "new" resources that have less negative impact on the environment and are not as likely to dry up within decades or centuries, and having cleaner energy. There are, of course, much larger issues at stake, but I think the ones that everyone, including those with little interest in the environment, can take part in are vital.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
To remember that the environment (nature) is essentially everyone's home. I think people easily forget this, living inside their boxes, they feel sheltered from the outside. But really, a house is simply a temporary shelter inside of a much larger house - the Earth. People forgetting this simple fact shows up on the horrified faces of people who lose their homes to forest fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes. It is not a matter of building a bigger or stronger shelter, it's a matter of realizing that you always have that other "home," the environment, and finding ways to replenish it and work WITH it rather than against it.
Jennifer Surdam
Private Citizen
July 23, 3009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I'm not sure that any ONE interaction with any one particular animal or with nature itself has had the biggest impact on me. I literally was "raised in a barn." So, I was around nature all the time. I've always been the one to try to rescue even the worse-case of animal possible. I love them all, and they have gotten me closer with nature. I love looking outside my window and seeing trees, grass, pasture, horses, cats, dogs, etc. And I've been fascinated with it since childhood. I love animals and nature in general.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood? How about now??
As a child, the barn. Now, there's a creek area nearby that I love to climb the hills and the creeks. It's special for a number of reasons, and it's part of what got me back into being on the nature path.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I think probably as a whole, the large cats, the undomesticated, and probably the wolves. I see such a connection between them and the domesticated cats and dogs, but yet such a difference, too. It's very fascinating to me how they are so close yet so different. However, I do believe they belong out in nature, and not domesticated--while beautiful in their own right, they belong where they belong, and it's not living beside us in a home where they can't be what they were meant to be.
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
Now, I think it's really just pollution and the problems we as humans have created. I don't believe in "global warming." I think that's a great political game being played, but the real challenge is just a global problem with pollution--warming doesn't say anything about the problem. It's pollution, it's landfills that are full, it's ignorant people not recycling. There are so many things we can do if we stop worrying about politics and start looking at the REAL issue. I think going through landfills is a great start--what can we start recycling now? In the future, IDK, because I'm really concerned about how long in the future we'll have based on how badly we've tried to destroy what we have now. I really think that doing our best to deal with what we have now might make our greatest challenge in the future overpopulation of once-endangered species--but not if we don't take ahold of the problem NOW, as in yesterday!
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Use your head. What is that, you ask? It's that thing stuck between your legs and up your A$$. Yeah, that thing. Try it every now and again. You just might find some good ideas. Seriously, though, I think that we need to recycle as much as possible, but that means that recycling needs to be easier for everyone. In my area it's a real pain to recycle, so very few people bother to do it. If you want something to be done, you have to encourage it to the point where it can become a great habit. Recycling and composting are the two easiest things to do, when made so. But it has to be cooperative with the city dump, so people aren't searching for hours trying to find a close place to do it, yet driving an hour to get there. And buy a hybrid vehicle your next time. It does and WILL save a ton of money in the end--I have one, and I want another! :)
July 23, 3009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I'm not sure that any ONE interaction with any one particular animal or with nature itself has had the biggest impact on me. I literally was "raised in a barn." So, I was around nature all the time. I've always been the one to try to rescue even the worse-case of animal possible. I love them all, and they have gotten me closer with nature. I love looking outside my window and seeing trees, grass, pasture, horses, cats, dogs, etc. And I've been fascinated with it since childhood. I love animals and nature in general.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood? How about now??
As a child, the barn. Now, there's a creek area nearby that I love to climb the hills and the creeks. It's special for a number of reasons, and it's part of what got me back into being on the nature path.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I think probably as a whole, the large cats, the undomesticated, and probably the wolves. I see such a connection between them and the domesticated cats and dogs, but yet such a difference, too. It's very fascinating to me how they are so close yet so different. However, I do believe they belong out in nature, and not domesticated--while beautiful in their own right, they belong where they belong, and it's not living beside us in a home where they can't be what they were meant to be.
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
Now, I think it's really just pollution and the problems we as humans have created. I don't believe in "global warming." I think that's a great political game being played, but the real challenge is just a global problem with pollution--warming doesn't say anything about the problem. It's pollution, it's landfills that are full, it's ignorant people not recycling. There are so many things we can do if we stop worrying about politics and start looking at the REAL issue. I think going through landfills is a great start--what can we start recycling now? In the future, IDK, because I'm really concerned about how long in the future we'll have based on how badly we've tried to destroy what we have now. I really think that doing our best to deal with what we have now might make our greatest challenge in the future overpopulation of once-endangered species--but not if we don't take ahold of the problem NOW, as in yesterday!
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Use your head. What is that, you ask? It's that thing stuck between your legs and up your A$$. Yeah, that thing. Try it every now and again. You just might find some good ideas. Seriously, though, I think that we need to recycle as much as possible, but that means that recycling needs to be easier for everyone. In my area it's a real pain to recycle, so very few people bother to do it. If you want something to be done, you have to encourage it to the point where it can become a great habit. Recycling and composting are the two easiest things to do, when made so. But it has to be cooperative with the city dump, so people aren't searching for hours trying to find a close place to do it, yet driving an hour to get there. And buy a hybrid vehicle your next time. It does and WILL save a ton of money in the end--I have one, and I want another! :)
Doris J. Waud
Rush-Henrietta Central School District
July 23, 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Living in Chiapas, Mexico in 2004-2005 in the tropics taught me to respect all nature, especially tarantulas! I must say that birdwatching has greatly impacted my life in many ways.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood? How about now??
During my childhood I had more freedom to go off and explore for a day than children do in today's organized world, so I would go to a creek or ride my bike around. Now I love coastal Chiapas, Mexico and parks for camping in the US. I have spent over a year sleeping in a tent when I add up our many camping trips. I also love Pt. Pelee, Ontario for birding in spring.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Birds fascinate me, especially the black-capped chickadee. In Chiapas I love the giant wren and the motmots.
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?
Humans need to reduce our population; we have no natural predators. Our economic systems tell us to build and grow, often with little regard for what is happening to the natural world. We need to enjoy and respect the natural world around us and find happiness in relationships instead of acquiring so many things. There are people who think in this way, but it feels like the minority.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Have a sense of wonder, as Rachel Carson wisely said, to treasure the earth and its various forms of life. Respect nature; remember the passenger pigeon that once was abundant and is now extinct.
Do you have any comments or other information that you would like to share relating to this project?
Please reach the youth of this country and the world; they play video and computer games instead of going outside. In Chiapas, where my husband and I return each summer to volunteer at the Pacific coast, kids know their environment and the names of the local birds. They do not have the "resources" we have in first world countries but are happy.
July 23, 2009
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Living in Chiapas, Mexico in 2004-2005 in the tropics taught me to respect all nature, especially tarantulas! I must say that birdwatching has greatly impacted my life in many ways.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood? How about now??
During my childhood I had more freedom to go off and explore for a day than children do in today's organized world, so I would go to a creek or ride my bike around. Now I love coastal Chiapas, Mexico and parks for camping in the US. I have spent over a year sleeping in a tent when I add up our many camping trips. I also love Pt. Pelee, Ontario for birding in spring.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Birds fascinate me, especially the black-capped chickadee. In Chiapas I love the giant wren and the motmots.
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?
Humans need to reduce our population; we have no natural predators. Our economic systems tell us to build and grow, often with little regard for what is happening to the natural world. We need to enjoy and respect the natural world around us and find happiness in relationships instead of acquiring so many things. There are people who think in this way, but it feels like the minority.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Have a sense of wonder, as Rachel Carson wisely said, to treasure the earth and its various forms of life. Respect nature; remember the passenger pigeon that once was abundant and is now extinct.
Do you have any comments or other information that you would like to share relating to this project?
Please reach the youth of this country and the world; they play video and computer games instead of going outside. In Chiapas, where my husband and I return each summer to volunteer at the Pacific coast, kids know their environment and the names of the local birds. They do not have the "resources" we have in first world countries but are happy.
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