Q&A with Eric Cefus, director of Catamount Institute

As director of the Catamount Institute, Eric Cefus is responsible for its teaching and conservation programs.

The organization has a number of programs designed to reach students and teachers, because Cefus believes ecological stewardship will also help combat the nation's obesity and diabetes epidemic.

He also believes that the increasing number of children diagnosed with behavioral disorders stems directly an increasing "disconnection" with nature, the outdoors and the environment.

Cefus took time recently to tell the CSBJ about himself and his organization.

Organization: Catamount Institute

Position: Executive Director

Hometown: Stone Mountain, Ga.

How long have you lived in Colorado Springs: I have lived in the Pikes Peak area 14 years.

Education: Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1989.

A few words about your company: Catamount Institute is a nonprofit whose mission is to inspire ecological stewardship. We work with students and teachers in our region using science-based, hands-on learning projects to teach environmental education. Our newest project, Pikes Peak Conservation Corps, expands our reach into the whole community of the Pikes Peak region.

Recent accomplishments:

Hiring of Richard Skorman as the director of the Pikes Peak Conservation Corps

Expansion of qualified staff

Initiation of the Catamount Mountain School and World Youth Summit

Increased revenue in FY 2007 by 20 percent above the previous fiscal year

Biggest career break: Having the respect and confidence of the directors of Catamount Institute so I could transition from a trustee to the executive director.

The toughest part of your job: Things never go as quickly as I want.

Someone you admire: My parents. They have always done everything they can to support my choices. Much more than money or material things, they have given their time and love and taught me about kindness and respect.

About your family: My wife of 15 years, Kathleen and our two boys (Ethan 7 and Jeremy 3) are the joy of my life. The decisions I make focus on leaving the world a better place for our children.

Something else you'd like to accomplish: My ultimate goal is not only to leave the world a better place, but encourage others to do the same.

How your business will change in the next decade: In just the 10 years that Catamount Institute has been developing programs, we have all witnessed a national trend towards a decreasing quality of life among our youth. Childhood obesity and diabetes are on the rise. More and more, children are diagnosed with behavioral and attention deficit disorders. These are just some of the costs of increasingly moving children indoors and connecting them to electronics while disconnecting them from nature.

Fortunately there is a strong movement gaining momentum to reconnect our children to their natural world. New data pours in daily demonstrating the much needed and positive effects of bringing children back into nature not just to recreate, but to learn. Catamount Institute is leading the charge locally by providing innovative, experiential learning and place-based science education programs that offer children and youth a wide range of stimulating opportunities.

What book are you currently reading? "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor E. Frankl

What is the one thing you would change about Colorado Springs? The perception that ecological stewardship is somehow politically motivated. This dangerously marginalizes issues that are paramount to a healthy environment. Choices we make today profoundly impact the future. Negative impacts on our water and air quality affect everyone.

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