Photo-Key Field Guide for common arthropods found in Ethiopia’s Church Forests.
Arthropods Field Guide

Dr. Meg Lowman was an invited speaker at ArborReal, a tree-house building workshop for the students of IaAc (Institut d’arquitectura avancada de Catalunya) in Barcelona, Spain during May 2010. This forward-thinking architectural institute confers approximately 55 Masters degrees each year to students from over 25 countries, teaching them to incorporate nature into architectural design. With the legandary architect, Antoni Gaudi, as a celebrated citizen in Barcelona’s history, the urban landscape is alive and passionate about raising the bar for architecture and embracing the role that nature plays in inspiring architecture. Director of IAAC, Vicente Guallart, believes that trees as living systems can serve as models for architects to build structures that are living, dynamic systems (like ecosystems) for people to inhabit. IAAC hopes to work with Lowman and the TREE Foundation in the future, to integrate environmental education both into their curriculum and into the landscape of Barcelona.

Some pictures of the house in Can Valldaura

[View with PicLens]

Images from the initial studio designs:
http://www.iaacblogbackup.com/2009-2010/MAAphase1/ids1/

Dr. Meg Lowman was a visiting James Martin Fellow at the Center for Tropical Forestry in the Environmental Change Institute, Oxford University during spring 2010. During this time, she conducted workshops for Earthwatch Institute at their European headquarters, directed by Nigel Winser (www.earthwatch.org) . She also lectured for the Environmental Change Institute on Plant-Insect Interactions in Forest Canopies, and on Women in Science — Challenges in Field Biology. She also worked with Global Canopy Programme staff (www.gcp.org) headed up by Andrew Mitchell, whose group has created the Little REDD Book to create metrics for reducing deforestation as part of global climate change strategies.
With colleagues, she visited research projects at Whytham Woods outside Oxford, including their canopy walkway (see photos).
During her Fellowship, Lowman was hosted by world-acclaimed artist Angela Palmer, whose exhibit called Ghost Forest has been viewed by millions of people and called attention to climate change and tropical deforestation. Palmer and Lowman hope to collaborate in future on programs to integrate art and science. For more on Ghost Forests, see www.ghostforest.com

From O, The Oprah Magazine, May 11, 2010 and on Oprah.com:

Saw the world from the top of a 16-story tree?

“It’s like climbing to outer space. There are millions of undiscovered creatures in every nook and cranny. Some are two feet long, some smaller than a raindrop. At 165 feet up, I’m the first to see rain on the horizon. There are 1,000 shades of green, and I usually can’t see the forest floor. Sometimes I stay overnight, and it’s too much fun to sleep. The tree’s strong architecture is very protecting. The swaying lulls me like I’m a baby. At night the insects chew and chirp—it’s a symphony by Mother Nature, Times Square in the forest.” — Tropical rainforest canopy biologist and conservationist Margaret D. Lowman, PhD, who began taking her two children up with her into the treetops when they were 4 and 6 years old

Quote online at Oprah Magazine

From the Herald-Tribune:

Making a difference in the environment
by Heather Dunhill

After cocktails in the courtyard and hors d’oeuvres in the dining room of the Powel Crosley Estate, Dr. Meg Lowman was awarded Dictor Martin’s 2010 World of Difference Award. She was honored for her steadfast dedication to the environment and the TREE Foundation, now in its 10th year.

After a welcome by co-host Wayne Dictor, TREE president Gerri Aaron introduced Meg with words of admiration. “I stand up here to introduce a prodigious and intrepid adventurer, researcher, teacher, writer, scientist of prominence, my mentor — wise beyond her years — and my adorable friend.”

Ecology and Education Summit – Environmental Literacy for a Sustainable World

Oct 14-16, 2010 Washington DC
National Education Association HQ

The Ecological Society of America (ESA), in partnership with national organizations, propose to organize an Ecology and Education Summit on to:

• Disseminate best practices that will advance Environmental Literacy for a Sustainable World,
• Reduce duplication of efforts, and
• Coordinate strategies to build capacity and pathways of support for green careers for the next generation.
• Integrate technology in the study of earth and nature
• Develop strategies to increase the participation of underrepresented minorities and women into the environmental agenda
• Develop public policy and funding opportunities to advance environmental literacy
• Accelerate the transformation of teaching and lifelong learning in formal and informal settings

The Summit aims to create a national dialogue to accelerate the transformation of teaching and learning among K-20+ audiences in both formal and informal settings in response to today’s urgent and complex environmental challenges. The first half of the summit will be open to participants from national/regional/state organizations. Invited participants will remain for the second half of the summit to draft a Decadal Plan of Action for 2010-2020 based on the discussions.

More info:

• Summit Flyer (PDF)
• Brief Proposal (PDF)

Heather writes in to say what advice she learned from the trees after hearing Dr. Lowman’s award speech at World of Difference award night:

All I know was learned by observing trees:
1.stand tall and proud
2. Sink your roots into the earth
3. Be content with natural beauty
4. Go out on a limb!
5. Drink lots of water
6. Remember your roots
7. Enjoy the view
8. Celebrate diversity and nurture it in your canopy