David L. Anderson, Canopy Watch International
Here’s a secret for you: Arboriculture can save biodiversity in tropical forests. As much as 60% of the biodiversity in a tropical forest is found in the canopy. Yet this biodiversity remains almost totally unknown for one simple reason: few scientists possess the skills to access the forest canopy. Even worse, recent research has shown that unsafe tree climbing practices are the norm in science.
“Discovering the Canopy” is an exciting initiative that teaches arborist-style tree climbing methods to biologists in Latin America, improving safety, conserving biodiversity, and building the next generation of tree care professionals. To date we have trained over 150 professionals from 14 countries who now work to discover new species, protect endangered species, and share canopy research with the global public. Discovering the Canopy transforms lives by putting new career skills into the hands of people on the front lines of conservation in Latin America.
Biography
Anderson, David L, Ph.D – Canopy Watch International
David Anderson is an inspired world citizen committed to inspiring others. He is an ornithologist by training, a tree climber by passion, and a conservationist by dedication. He conducts research and has published more than 50 scientific and popular articles on all those topics. A frequent speaker, he has given keynote addresses at the Petzl Foundation tree care symposium in 2019 and the World Treehouse Conference in 2024, among others. He has been climbing trees for scientific research in tropical forests since 1995, a certified arborist since 2020, and a climber trainer since 2015. He founded Canopy Watch International, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, in 2015 to train scientists and nonscientists in methods for accessing the forest canopy, and as a vehicle to transform lives and conserve nature.