Meg's map

Working with locals to create and expand canopy research and ecotourism in this region of the world that will otherwise be overtaken by palm oil plantations

Pioneered the world of arbornauts in the forests of Australia - invented/created a homemade slingshot, sewed a harness, borrowed ropes and taught myself to climb into the canopy. Went on to help design the world's first public canopy walkway for more inclusive treetop access. Solved gum tree dieback which was a multimillion dollar dilemma for farmers, tourism, and ecosystem health of Australia.

I was one (maybe the 1st) researcher in temperate deciduous forest canopies, and went on to share canopy walkways and education outreach throughout North America through my books, school talks, videos, website, and walkway constructions.

Amazon rain forests have tenfold the species that Costa Rica has, and I have taken millions of citizens to Peru both live and virtually, educating them about the importance of conservation.

The Mata Atlântica forests are one of the world's most endangered, so a walkway there will spotlight the importance of forest conservation.

National Geographic produced a film featuring me in the hot air balloon studying French Guiana canopies -- incredibly inspiring for kids!

A National Geographic grant funded exploration of bromeliad tanks, searching for predators of mosquitos which could lead to natural controls on malaria.

Building a canopy walkway for the island of Savai'i allowed the local village to save their forests from logging, and the ecotourism income funded the construction of their school.

I used a construction crane in Germany to observe herbivory, have explored several canopy walkways there, and 2 of my books are translated into German.

Received the Tällberg Award (like the Nobel Prize, but for conservation) in Milan Italy in 2024.

Lectured and gave field exercises to the School of Architecture in Barcelona (home of Gaudi, who used trees for his architecture). Students did a field exercise under my leadership, building mini-tree houses in the forests outside Barcelona. My memoir was recently published in Spanish and I am attending multiple book festivals in Spain this year. Featured in several newspaper reviews in Spain.

Visited the canopy scaffold at Monks Woods, was a visiting professor at Oxford for canopy ecology and conservation, and my books were republished by London subsidiaries.

Earned an MSc in Ecology at Aberdeen, studying birch trees and including the creation of a rudimentary scaffold to reach the canopy.

Attended Rolex Board meetings and observed the trees of the Alps.

Led a museum trip to Bora Bora and served as a conservation ambassador -- a green turtle was released, named after me, and blessed by the local indigenous people in a ceremony over which I presided.

Lectured twice on boat trips to Antarctica, including my work on waterbears that live in the canopy of Antarctic mosses and lichens.

The longest walkway in North America exists outside of Toronto, and also have spent time exploring trees across Canada, including to lecture for National Geographic's train-across-Canada expedition.

Observed the vegetation up elevational gradients.

Had dinner with the President and explored the ecosystem gradients from greenery to ice.

First hot air expedition, studying insect herbivores in the canopy and measuring their damage.

Spent a Fulbright semester at Jimma University, mentoring women in science and studying forest conservation. Have saved over 100 church forests through local partnerships of religion and science.

Observed herbivory and canopy structure in dry forests of African landscapes. Visited 2 canopy walkways

Saw Jane's gorillas and observed their dependence on trees and vegetation.

Spent a Fulbright and many subsequent trips to India. Pioneered canopy research there, and brought the first SRT gear to scientists at ATREE in Bangalore. Spoke to numerous student groups and Forest Service leaders.

Led a trip to study the ecology of Nepal.

Visited the royal family in Bhutan and spent time looking for a canopy walkway site on elephant-back.

Original site with Professor Joe Connell of UC - Santa Barbara to measure seedling growth in tropical rain forests but it was logged after one season.

visited this country to study baobab trees, which are part of my latest book, Tree Day.

visited this country to continue my long-term curiosity about comparing coral reefs and tropical rain forests, both bastions of biodiversity that (in a sense) rely on similar methods to monitor and count what lives there. One is aquatic and the other is aerial.

Led National Geographic trips here to see orangutans and visit a few other walkways

visited several ruins to appreciate the obsession of scarab beetles by the ancient cultures.

Visiting scholar at the Institute of Ecology in Xalapa, studying the canopies of oak trees with colleague Guadelupe Williams-Linera; co-chaired a canopy conference in Oaxaca, fell in love with the wintering canopies of monarch butterflies!

lived and worked in Belize for almost a year as part of the Jason Project. Built a walkway at Blue Creek, broadcast 53 live shows (with host Bob Ballard) to schools and museums reaching 3 million students around the world from the canopy; studied biodiversity and insect herbivores in the treetops.

selected as an international member of the European Science Foundation committee that funded and oversaw the establishment of a canopy crane along the Orinoco River. After many months of planning, the military crew who helicoptered the crane arm pieces to the site “cheated” by hauling 2 pieces at once (instead of 1), and the helicopter rotors spun so fast they blew the canopy apart. End of research at this site.

Two trips to plan a canopy walkway in partnership with SUNY- Stony Brook, but we are delayed with a lack of permits from the Malagasy National Parks. We have a site, a design, and partial funding – plus enthusiastic young researchers!

Visited the walkway outside of Kunming in southwest China, lectured at several conferences, and facilitated a virtual canopy conference during COVID.

Attended the COP meetings in Copenhagen (along with Pres. Obama!) and wrote several articles for the NY Times syndicate. Used Tweets, which was a new social media communication tool!

Hosted in Cuba with an Earthwatch delegation to determine research priorities for this island nation. Politics put a halt to our progress, alas.

Arguably the world’s most comfortable (almost luxury!) rain forest field work is conducted here, with AC labs and safe transport, big computers etc. I visited La Selva several times to advise students, lecture, and co-host conferences. But I believe in the concept of “environmental justice” so Costa Rica does not need more scientists or funding since they have a plethora of Americans who find it very convenient to work there. In contrast, many other tropical countries do not have that privilege.

spent a month on Andros Island to continue my research on coral cay vegetation, and also to compare methods to study reef biodiversity VS canopy biodiversity.

Visited the world’s largest bayou outside of Buenos Aires as an ecological wonder.

Served on the European Science Foundation committee, which funded and designed the canopy crane in Venezuela. Became an expert on sweet buns in Austrian bakeries!

Led several ecotourism trips to this mecca for all biologists, lecturing about island biogeography and elements of species diversity that Darwin published.

Visiting scholar to STRI (Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute) where I worked on plant-insect interactions from their canopy crane and also hosted the Jason Project for another 50+ live broadcasts using single rope techniques in the canopy of Barro Colorado Island.

Led trips for ecotourism in their rain forests, comparing it to nearby Belize.

Lectured on the importance of botany (namely spices) in Mediterranean ecosystems and cultures.

Visited and lectured about fig trees in this amazing epicenter of tropical vegetation.

Lectured about “how many species are there?” for the National Geographic around-the-world-by-private-jet wildlife trip. This country has tigers and other animals that exemplify controversies in the accurate measurement of species diversity.

Spoke at the World Entomological conference about the importance of insect herbivory in Australian forest canopies. Had a firsthand chance to observe the exemplary conservation around Seoul, with hillsides green for hiking, and high-rises dominating the urban landscape.

Visiting professor at NUS (National University of Singapore), where I observed their $20 million canopy walkway system throughout the city and taught students about biodiversity monitoring. While there I visited my colleague Kiat Tan, who designed Gardens by the Bay, and saw new ways to share stories about plants with the public. I returned later for a National Geographic private jet tour, lecturing along the way.

studied the world’s most economic plant, the TULIP! This flower caused murders, wars, and amazing economic extremes during its heyday.

Visited botanical colleagues who are experts on the use of local plants and focused on ethnobotany.

Guest of Greg Carr at his Gorongosa National Park conservation success story. We surveyed and selected a site for a canopy walkway there but await Greg’s blessing to construct this amazing structure that will double and triple the biodiversity count in this region.

Invited consultant to advise Hanoi about a future science museum.