Show notes
Margaret “Meg” Lowman is a scientist, educator, author, speaker, and nature lover, who is passionate about studying the complexities of trees. She describes herself as an “arbornaut”—one who explores tree canopies. She is the Founding Director of the Tree Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports forest research, exploration, and education in a sustainable manner. Meg is also the author of the book, The Arbornaut: A Life Discovering the Eighth Continent in the Trees Above Us, where she writes about her adventures in the hidden world of treetops.
In this episode, you’ll hear an overview of Meg’s childhood and the hobbies that nurtured her passion for forestry. She describes her school life and recalls the time she chose a college because it had its own forest. She recounts her experience majoring in a field heavily dominated by men and describes how being a mother can change a woman’s career trajectory. You’ll gain insight on Meg’s move to Australia for higher education and the cultural differences she faced. Meg also explains what a tree bicycle is, why trees are actually intelligent and efficient, and why forging relationships with locals is critical in forest conservation.
\"What amazes me about trees is there are so many strategies. There\'s no such thing as a leaf. There\'s this amazing machine called a tree.\" - Meg Lowman -
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
● Meg\'s childhood and how her hobbies cultivated her passion for studying nature
● What it felt like not being part of the \"in crowd” at school
● The life-altering experience she had when she was 12 years old
● How the gender ratio of Meg’s college impacted her
● Meg\'s advice to women who want to penetrate a male-dominated career
● How being a mother can affect a woman\'s career trajectory
● Going overseas for higher education and to explore the tropics
● The cultural differences between schools in the US and Australia
● Why it was harder to get a permit for a slingshot than a gun in Australia
● How Meg uses a tree bicycle
● Working in countries where women aren\'t given equal opportunities
● The complexities and intelligence of trees
● Communities addressing the problems forests encounter
● The best way to make forest conservation work
● Joining Earth Watch and how it helped Meg earn her PhD
● How Meg\'s children are helping the planet through their business ventures
Resources Mentioned:
● Finch Therapeutics
● Earthwatch
Connect with Margaret Lowman:
● CanopyMeg!
● Book: The Arbornaut: A Life Discovering the Eighth Continent in the Trees Above Us
● Book:Life in the Treetops: Adventures of a Woman in Field Biology
● Margaret Lowman on LinkedIn
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
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