"The Healer," Chris Zimmerman
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) certainly doesn't lack in the talented conservationist department. First we highlighted Change Maker Ann Snook, a TNC Program Manager fighting for indigenous protected land in the Maya Forest. Now, we present Chris Zimmerman who's championing conservation efforts local to New York like the healthy, long life of Karner Blue Butterflies whose populations were on the decline and deemed federally endangered.
We often appreciate butterflies for their beauty but fail to remember their — and other insects' vital role — in maintaining healthy biodiversity. Since Chris' habitat restoration efforts, Karner Blue Butterflies have increased from a population fewer than 1,000 to now over 20,000!
Planet Green: How did you get into this line of work?
Chris Zimmerman: I guess you might say I was raised to do this work. My love for the outdoors grew out of family camping trips at Ohio state parks. This led me on a career path in restoration ecology and conservation biology.
PG: What was your "a-ha" moment?
CZ: Watching a brood of federally endangered Karner blue butterflies emerge in late May or early June was really powerful for me. At that point, I realized the conservation work we do can make a difference.
PG: Who is your green hero?
CZ: Conservationist Aldo Leopold. His Sand County Almanac inspires me to get people involved in restoration and get volunteers' hands dirty every chance I get.
PG: What is your ultimate green goal?
CZ: I want to conserve the amazing plants and animals on this planet that are facing an uncertain future.
PG: What is your motivation?
CZ: The intrinsic value, beauty and complexity of nature. For me, it's as small as the wing of a butterfly, as big as a vast forested landscape, and as varied as the natural world that can be found in between.
PG: What is most important to you, ecologically speaking?
CZ: Maintaining the health of not only large intact landscapes like the Amazon rain forest, but the preserves and parks close to where we live.
PG: What is the most challenging part of your job?
CZ: Whether it's restoring habitat for butterflies, eliminating invasive plants that displace threatened bog turtle habitat, or some other conservation project, there is always more we can do. I wish I had more time.
PG: What is the most rewarding?
CZ: Knowing that we can make a difference.
PG: Of the people you have worked with, who impresses you most?
CZ: Within The Nature Conservancy there is not just one person responsible for conservation success stories. Often there are visionaries who lead the charge, but their work could not be possible without support staff. It is a team effort.
PG: What green thing do you do everyday?
CZ: Eat locally grown foods. My daughter and I shop at a local farmers market every week for vegetables, eggs and milk.
PG: What do you wish you could do?
CZ: Fly — that way I would not have to drive my car to work.
PG: What is your biggest eco-sin?
CZ: Driving a car. However, I do feel a little better now that I just bought a hybrid that gets 50 miles to the gallon. Our office has three that we use for our field work so that's a good thing, too.
PG: If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
CZ: Our addiction to consumption.
PG: What is your best green advice?
CZ: Take a hike! Pass go and head directly to your nearest park or preserve.
Change Makers is series of interviews with people famous and obscure who are creating a more sustainable world through their work. Meet more Change Makers here.
