Event: Scope Lecture
Out on a Limb: Using Research Discoveries as a “Hook” to Inspire the Public about Science
Description: Margaret D. Lowman (a.k.a. “Canopy Meg”) will present this year’s Scope Lecture. Affectionately known as the mother of canopy research for her 30 years of dedication to the science, Lowman has designed hot-air balloons and walkways for treetop exploration to solve mysteries in the world’s forests, with special expertise on the links between insect pests and ecosystem health. Lowman is the director of the Nature Research Center at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and a research professor of natural sciences in PAMS, where she focuses on initiatives involving science communication to the public.
Time & Date: 9 am – 1:30 pm, Saturday, April 14, 2012
Location: SAS Hall, NC State University North Campus
2311 Stinson Drive
Raleigh, NC 27695
Admission: Free
Required online registration
$10 per person for BBQ Lunch
Indoor Event

Links:
Scope Academy Schedule
Scope Academy Brochure (PDF)

Dr. Meg Lowman will be appearing at the “Rainforest Rendezvous: So Much Yet to Discover” to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Bolz Conservatory. Details are below. For more info visit olbrich.org.

“CANOPY MEG” PRESENTATIONS

Saturday, November 12

Monkeys, Millipedes, and Medicine – Meet “Canopy Meg”

How would you get to the top of a really tall tree? “Canopy Meg” uses hot air balloons, rope ladders, bridges, blimps, and cranes to study rainforest canopies.

Scientists like Meg work as detectives to find all the things hiding in a forest canopy – like millions of beetles! Tropical rainforests are not only home to monkeys, millipedes, and many, many insects, but they also produce important things we use in our everyday lives – medicines, foods, construction materials, fabrics, and oxygen, are just a few.

“Visit” some of the world’s most special rainforests with Meg to find out what it’s like to work in the tops of thos tropical trees and why so many creatures live way up there. Book signing will follow the presentation. For grades 3 and up with an adult; each attendee pays the registration fee. Advanced registration required. Call 608-246-4550 to register.

Saturday, November 12, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Registration Deadline: Drop-ins welcome; pre-registration preferred
$10/$8 Olbrich member

Out on a Limb – Exploring Tropical Rainforest Canopies

Adults can meet scientist Meg Lowman, one of the world’s first “arbornauts,” who uses all sorts of structures to explore tropical treetops, home to approximately half of planet Earth’s biodiversity. This exploration has demonstrated that forest canopies provide ecological services to all of use – climate regulation, medicines, food, fresh water cycling, and cultrual heritage are just a few. New ways to get into the treetops have also inspired ecotourism, as well as the sustainable harvest of fruits, medicines, and other products.

Lowman, also known as “Canopy Meg,” pioneered the field of canopy research while raising two boys in the rainforest. She continues her work to “map” the canopy and to champion forest conservation around the world. Book signing after the presentation. Advanced registration required. Call 608-246-4550 to register.

Saturday, November 12, 1:30 – 3:15 p.m.
Registration Deadline: Drop-ins welcome; pre-registration preferred
$15/$12 Olbrich member

From Carleton News:

Margaret “Meg” Lowman, PhD, an author, adventurer, educator, and ecologist with 30 years of experience exploring the unseen world of biodiversity that exists in rainforest canopies, will deliver Carleton College’s weekly convocation address on Friday, April 22 at 10:50 a.m. in the Skinner Memorial Chapel. Entitled “Life in the Treetops: Conservation of the World’s Rain Forests,” Lowman’s presentation is free and open to the public.

More information: http://apps.carleton.edu/news/news/?story_id=727855

From Talks@ATREE:

Speaker: Dr. Margaret D. Lowman
Date: January 28, 2011
Time: 4 pm
Venue: ATREE Auditorium in Bangalore, India
Title: UN Year of the Forest – inspiring new stakeholders to reverse deforestation

Abstract:
Rates of tropical deforestation continue to accelerate, and yet the United Nations has declared 2011 as the International Year of the Forest. Our conventional mechanisms of conservation have not been effective over the past several decades, so new and innovative solutions to reverse forest degradation are required. As a canopy biologist with over 30 years of experience, I discuss ways to leverage research and education outreach for conservation purposes. First, partnerships with non-traditional stakeholders are an emerging mechanism for success i.e., religious leaders, corporate and business partners, and engaging women in science are illustrated by case studies. Second, the inclusion of education and broader science communication as an essential component of my research – in particular the involvement of children as future stakeholders and increasing use of social media – have proven effective. The field of canopy science, with its creative toolkit of walkways and ropes that also foster ecotourism, can enhance forest conservation through the integration of economics and ecology to a growing diversity of stakeholders.

Affiliation:
Dr. Lowman is the Director of the Nature Research Centre at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and Professor at North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC. She also serves as Vice President of The Explorers Club; Vice President of the Ecological Society of America; Executive Director of Florida’s TREE Foundation; and Cluster Chair for the Sarasota Economic Development Corporation.

Dr. Lowman will be speaking at the Bethlehem United Holy Church in Durham, NC on Martin Luther King Day (1/17/2011).  Details are in the flyer below. (Click to enlarge.)

Reposted from ncf.edu:

Join New Topics New College for a visual tour of the places in the world most affected by climate change, from the poles to mountains and our cities, and some of the actions being taken to combat the warming, presented by Gary Braasch,  an explorer and photojournalist from Portland, Oregon. Braasch is an environmental photojournalist who creates remarkable images and important documentation about nature, environment, biodiversity and global warming. Included will be images from Florida and the Atlantic Coast, underscoring the local effects and dangers of rapid climate change.  Braasch recently reported and photographed from the Copenhagen international climate negotiations last December, and will offer his perspective on the direction being taken by the world’s nations in reacting to and reducing global warming. The talk will take place at the Mildred Sainer Pavilion (5313 Bay Shore Road) on March 9, 2010 at 4:00 pm.  Tickets are $15.  For more information or to make a reservation, please call the New College Events Hotline at (941) 497-4888 or email events@ncf.edu.

Tuesday, March 9 at 4:00 pm

“Climate Change – a Visual World View of Global Warming”
Gary Braasch, explorer and environmental photojournalist
Faculty host:  Meg Lowman, professor of biology and environmental studies, New College of Florida
Underwritten by the TREE Foundation

New Topics New College is a collaboration of the New College Foundation and New College of Florida.  This dynamic community series pairs prominent national speakers with New College faculty for stimulating discussions on relevant topics of our time.  A reception follows each program and provides an opportunity to meet the speakers, students and faculty.

New Flyer

From the Calvin College January Series, Meg Lowman’s talk “It’s a Jungle Up There: Exploration of the Treetops” on 1/15/2008:

Additional video and audio formats of this talk along with more information