Visitors and residents alike are drawn to Monterey County for its environmental beauty, but are we doing enough to preserve what we have? We asked visitors from around the globe. Here''s what they said:

Diana Wolf

Age: 63

Occupation: Retired

Resides: New Monterey

What are some local environmental issues that most concern you? Raccoons. I''m really upset they rounded up and killed them without informing or asking the public beforehand. Other important issues are sea otters and butterflies.

What is your favorite natural area? Big Sur.

Is there enough being done to protect the environment? No.

Globally, what environmental issue do you think is most important? Preservation of endangered species. More importantly, addressing deforestation, which provides needed habitat.

Rod Herndon

Age: 48

Occupation: Homemaker, father, school board president

Resides: Pacific Grove

Locally, what''s a pressing environmental issue? I''m really concerned with the raccoon issue. Roundworm is of primary importance. The vast majority of our students eat outside. Raccoons invade the picnic tables where kids leave food.

Do you think we''re doing enough to protect the environment? It''s a constant battle between development and protection of open space. We have need of a constant vigil to keep that balance.

Frank Firmac

Age: 21

Occupation: Student/Legal secretary

Resides: South Orange County

What is a local environmental issue where you live? Development-wiping out areas that used to be kept natural, and leaving no habitat for the wildlife.

What''s your favorite natural area? Yosemite National Park. I just went there with a group from college. It was amazing.

What a most pressing global environmental issue? Rainforest destruction. Mostly because of all the species it destroys.

Do you think we are doing enough to protect the environment the environment? No. Better to error on the side of too much protection than too little.

Jenny Bergdahl

Age: 25

Occupation: On vacation

Resides: Staffanstorp, Sweden

Do you think enough is being done to protect the environment? Yes. It''s up to the people to follow environmental rules. But they usually don''t.

What is your favorite natural area? Pebble Beach. It is more beautiful here than Sweden.

Meilynn Smith

Age: 46

Occupation: Interior Decorator

Resides: Scotts Valley

What local environmental issue concerns you the most? Clean-ups. Not leaving trash and being more careful.

Is enough being done to protect our environment? There needs to be more balance. People become too tunnel-visioned.