About the Author

Meg Lowman, PhD, aka "CanopyMeg," is an American biologist, educator, ecologist, writer, editor, and public speaker. She is the executive director of the TREE Foundation and a professor at the National University of Singapore, Arizona State University, and Universiti Sains Malaysia. Nicknamed the "real-life Lorax" by National Geographic and "Einstein of the treetops" by The Wall Street Journal, Lowman pioneered the science of canopy ecology. Her motto is "no child left indoors." She travels extensively for research, outreach, and speaking engagements for audiences large and small.

Reviews

"A book can be a beacon, a roadmap, an education. The Arbornaut is all that."
--Barbara Kiser, Los Angeles Review of Books "Equal parts memoir, scientific reporting, love letter to the trees and a call to action in the face of the climate crisis . . . Most charming of all is Lowman's joy and wonder at the natural world . . . By the time you reach the last page of this book, you'll either want to climb a tree, hug a tree or both."
--Rachel Zarrow, San Francisco Chronicle "Written . . . not just to instruct, but to reorient and inspire . . . If a tree was once understood as a mostly static living object, [through The Arbornaut] we see it rippling with change."
--Rebecca Giggs, The Atlantic "A riveting memoir from 'CanopyMeg, ' a pioneer in treetop science . . . Solid science combined with a pleasing writing style make for a winning book."
--Kirkus (starred review) "To call The Arbornaut a nature book . . . does not begin to capture the complexity and wonderment and introspection that [it] so beautifully present[s] . . . What [Lowman] tells us about what she calls the 'eighth continent' above our heads, and her own life as a single mother and a woman in a field long dominated by men, is both inspirational and fascinating."
--Air Mail "[The Arbornaut] vividly recounts [Lowman's] adventures as a pioneering biologist, botanist, and conservationist . . . Lowman's stories of global fieldwork model a truly inspiring feminist ethic of collaboration and inclusivity that will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of women to explore biology and conservation."
--Erica Wetter, Bust "The Arbornaut [is] about an extraordinary life, one spent among trees."
--Sophie Cunningham, The Guardian "[Lowman] excels at bringing the natural world to life in language. . . [Her] research is full of life, energy, intelligence and determination. It's impossible to read about it without wanting to examine the natural world more closely . . . The Arbornaut is a book to reach for if you, like Lowman, love the natural world and want to live in it fully."
--Kelly Blewett, BookPage (starred review) "Lowman's contributions to ecology are numerous, as a professor, science communicator, international collaborator, and leader in conservation organizations. In this science-oriented memoir, she details a lifetime of experiences . . . A highly engaging read."
--Library Journal (starred review) "A passionate look at the 'unexplored wonderland' of trees . . . Lowman shines in her ability to combine accessible science with exciting personal anecdotes that effectively convey the 'thrill of aerial exploration' and bolster her case that trees--and sustainable ecosystems--are worth studying, protecting, and preserving. Nature lovers will find much to consider."
--Publishers Weekly "A treasure for tree huggers . . . Delightful . . . It's a book to savor, perfect for anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge of trees, forest, and the remarkable interconnectedness of nature."
--Eric Liebetrau, Kirkus Reviews "[Meg Lowman] tells her story with remarkable detail, highlighting her research methods and discoveries as well as the adversity she faced as a woman in the sciences and a single mother."
--Carlyn Kranking, Audubon Magazine "Amazing . . . An inspiring book."
--WICN Public Radio "An ideal book for city-bound nature lovers suffering withdrawal during lockdown . . . [Lowman] forged a remarkable career researching canopies all over the world and educating the public on the wonders of this 'eighth continent' in the tree tops."
--Kerryn Goldsworthy and Fiona Capp, The Sydney Morning Herald "Lowman details a career that embodies the word 'trail-blazing' . . . From start to finish, the word that best describes [The Arbornaut] is 'spirited.'"
--Emily Donaldson, The Globe and Mail "A fascinating journey."
--Sarah Boon, Undark "The Arbornaut captures the magic of that little-known world with its pioneering stories and clear, informative text. Readers everywhere will be fascinated and inspired to learn more about nature, and especially about how we need to conserve the world's forests."
--Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, and United Nations Messenger of Peace

"The Arbornaut is about a shy girl who loved to play outdoors and became a scientist who educated the world about the abundant life in the treetops. I loved it."
--Temple Grandin, author of Animals Make Us Human, Animals in Translation, and Thinking in Pictures "The Arbornaut is an eye-opening and enchanting book by one of our major scientist-explorers. Without Meg Lowman, we'd miss so many of the planet's wonders that just happen to lie out of sight, in a realm we take for granted, ignore, or never knew about to begin with. Lowman is the perfect guide to that little-known, life-besotted world, and has fascinating stories to tell about her life in the top story."
--Diane Ackerman, author of The Zookeeper's Wife "This is the most exciting and innovative way of introducing science that I have seen in many years. Everyone will want to read this book. Meg Lowman is starting a whole new movement exploring the treetops!"
--E. O. Wilson, author of Half-Earth: Our Planet's Fight for Life