Meg Lowman
The best source of information about Meg Lowman is at http://www.canopymeg.com/
Here's a little bit submitted for the Natural Capitalism document:
My sustainability efforts involve teamwork with local initiatives to promote education, education, and education.
1. design, construction and interpretation of the Myakka Canopy Walkway to give local residents and visitors an appreciation for natural environments around Sarasota County in a very user-friendly way. This walk has almost doubled the visitorship to the park, and generated a lot of interest in conservation of Florida natural forests. See http://www.treefoundation.org that contains information about the canopy walkway and its construction as well as other programs relating to environmental education about trees and forests.
2. SOS -- student outreach in schools -- Over 50 New College students have trained with me to become science educators in local middle schools, mentoring youth in environmental education. We have received funding from the Community Foundation for AV equipment, created activities for classroom, hosted teacher workshops, and led field trips into Sarasota County natural areas to thousands of local students over the past few years.
3. Writing and lecturing -- I have taken on the environmental column for the Sarasota Herald Tribune in hopes of writing and communicating more effectively about sustainability and science issues to the public. Unless scientists communicate the issues, people will not become educated about good stewardship. New College has also led science education trips to the Amazon, to the Galapagos, and sponsored talented students to attend environmental conferences in order to best train our next generation in the latest and best information about science and sustainability.
4. Sarasota County, EDC, New College, Florida House Instititue and TREE Foundation are partnering to plan, design and fund a biological field station for southwest Florida. We have hosted a science advisory committee, an architectural design workshop, and are now actively fund-raising for this important initiative that will provide the all-important baseline scientific information (that are currently missing from local ecosystems) for future sustainability management efforts in our region.
These represent highlights of a dedicated effort on behalf of the Environmental Studies Program and Sarasota County efforts in which I have been fortunate to participate.
Dr. Margaret Lowman
Director of Environmental Initiatives
Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies
New College of Florida
5700 N Tamiami Trail
Sarasota FL 34243
