#1 What experiences have you had that effect your beliefs about the state of the environment? How do you know/ don't know?

#2 Is all well and good with local and or regional/global ecosystems? What are the threats?

#3 What kind of experiences (field work, travel, etc.) have you had in learning about the environment? How much time have you spent studying local landscapes, ecosystems or processes, or just enjoying being out doors? Time in camps, mapping/investigation activities, retreats, recreation, research, etc...

#4 Are you interested in how the world works, how other cultures live and cope? What places have you visited outside of your home community that wave contributed to your understanding of other ecosystems, and cultures?

#5 How far away from home are your favorite places?

#6 If you could "retire" (I don't suggest anyone do so. Besides what fun is their in non-involvement?), where would you go, if you could go anywhere in the world?

Questions:

#1 How can the sharing of local stories, science and culture help us all understand the value of working together to reduce resource consumption, waste production and equity in wealth distribution so that we can have the greatest chance of preserving the most of a diminishing global environment and diversity?

#2 How can the newly realized global information infrastructure (internet and www) be best used to ensure that indigenous peoples perspectives and history of stewardship be shared so that we all can gain an appreciation for global diversity?

I've got some very specific ideas and projects in mind! Local community and surrounding ecosystem/watershed mapping as an avenue to increasing local understanding and promoting a more proactive stewardship of local environmental resources. Local mapping, stories, local lore and ancient myths, documentaries of local expeditions, identifying indigenous and through-migrating species, comparing differences and noting similarities in local/regional animal and plant communities, showcasing local environmental restoration efforts, promoting indigenous culture self-sustainability through the sharing and marketing of locally derived, sustainably harvested products and knowledge. Through leadership education and promoting indigenous peoples through higher education systems, To promote and further develop (or preserve existing) local experts on indigenous biodiversity and culture through financial renumeration for their contributions. To promote these experts for the purpose of guiding tourists and international researchers and sustaining their own lifestyles with the proceeds of a „consultant¾. To use emerging "virtual reality" technologies for educational purposes employing all of the above strategies.

Imagine (and I do often) being able to dialup the local internet connection and then virtually travel to remote parts of the world. To use the www to visit 3 dimensional virtual environmental across the globe for research, exploration and the sharing of cultural information. To use these new communications technologies to hear from local peoples what their landscape is like, what local environmental and cultural assets they are working to preserve, what efforts are underway to ease environmental destruction or restore polluted systems and recover diversity.............

What it really is about for me is ....... working on contributing to a new mythology. A new mythology of the earth, our place in it, our purpose, our esponsibility toward others, and the very landscape!