We sit down with Louise Harrison, a Long Island Naturalist to explore her childhood in Queens, where she frequently took trips upstate, sparking her love for nature, plants, and animals. Louise shares her journey through college and the many roles she has taken on throughout her life, starting with her work as a regional parks naturalist for the New York State Parks Department in the Long Island region. We discuss her success in preserving the Central Pine Barrens in Suffolk County and her dedication to keeping the Long Island Sound healthy. Louise also delves into her current endeavors with Plum Island and her involvement in its preservation. In addition, we talk about her hopes for the future of the North Fork's environment and the challenges we face in changing our mindset towards living in harmony with nature.
