From the Miami Herald:

As a young single mother working to support her children and a scientist struggling to pioneer the new field of canopy biology, Lowman often had to take her kids to work.

Work wasn’t just in the office, but in the canopies of tropical trees scattered from Australia to Samoa, from Africa to Peru.

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New College of Florida Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies Meg Lowman and her son, James Burgess, were guests on National Public Radio’s “Living on Earth” program this past Friday. For details and to listen to an audio feed from the program, click here.

What’s happening

Join New College Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies Meg Lowman and her environmental studies students for a day of discovery along the Myakka canopy walkway.

When is it happening

10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 22

Where is it happening

Meet at the parking lot area of the canopy walkway at Myakka State Park, 13207 SR 72 Sarasota. Take Clark Road east of I-75 for approximately six miles. The park entrance is on the left. There is a park entrance fee. Rangers will direct cars to parking.

Why is it happening

To learn how scientists sample insect and plants in the forest canopy.

Action for reader to take

Space is limited to 50 participants, so call to reserve a spot. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen and bug repellent, and bring a camera, drinking water an binoculars.

Contact info

For more information, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at (941) 861-5000 and ask for Natural Resources.

Sarasota County’s Conservation Awards Committee has selected recipients of the 14th Annual Sarasota County Conservation Awards. These awards recognize individuals or groups that have taken leadership roles in promoting conservation of natural resources and environmental awareness through education.

The following recipients will be honored at a luncheon Tuesday, April 18, hosted by ABC 7 television anchor Linda Carson and Sarasota Herald-Tribune editor Harold Bubil:

• Resource Conservation—Venice Golf and Country Club
• Environmental Education—Science Outreach for Students, New College of Florida
• Lifetime Achievement—Dr. Margaret Lowman
• Youth Environmental Leadership—Christopher Smith
• Community Initiative—Pepper Patrol
• Community Initiative—Julie Whitney and Peter Price
• Individual Initiative—Captain Wayne Genthner

Over the past 13 years, the Conservation Awards have honored nearly 100 individuals or groups for their environmental stewardship. This year, Venice Golf and County Club will be honored for its wetland restoration and stormwater irrigation projects. New College’s Science Outreach for Students group will be honored for its volunteer science mentoring program in area middle schools.

Riverview High School’s Christopher Smith will receive the first-ever Youth Environmental Leadership Award, which seeks to reward groups or individuals through grade 12 for environmental stewardship. Smith will be honored for his leadership of a local boy scout troop in marking county storm drains to prevent stormwater pollution.

In addition to these awards, the Conservation Committee has chosen to present special community initiative awards to the Venice Area Beautification Pepper Patrol Team for its work in eliminating harmful exotic plants and to Peter Price and Julie Whitney for similar projects in and around eight major preserves and lake areas.

Captain Wayne Genthner will receive an individual initiative award for his efforts to publicize the area in the waters off of Sarasota known as the “Dead Zone.”

Sponsors of this year’s event are Florikan E.S.A. Corp., Florida Power & Light, HDR Engineering Inc., Lakewood Ranch Communities LLC, PBS&J, Waste Management Inc. of Florida, Carollo Engineers, Kimal Lumber Company, Ardaman & Associates and Venice Scrap Metal.

For more information about the awards, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at (941) 861-5000 and ask to speak with Pat Haire in Environmental Services.