MY STORY & WHY:

I'M GOING TO THE AMAZON RAINFOREST. And I can't believe I finally get to say that!!!

Ever since I was a little dress-wearing, tree-climbing girl, I've felt super drawn to the Amazon rainforest. When I was younger, I couldn't put words to WHY. Now I can:

The Amazon is described as "the lungs of the earth." The most biodiverse, life-rich place on the planet. I've always been fascinated by the natural world, and pursued an education in Environmental Science, Climate Change, and Applied Ecology - a sweet combo of nerdy science and grassroots community work. This launched me into local government sustainability work and nonprofit tree planting volunteering. I'm literally a Tree Hugger - and proud to say it!

I'm a lifelong learner and I could go get my Master's degree... or I could immerse myself in a trip of a lifetime with real, tangible education, community connection, and life experience I can bring back to our community. The Amazon has been at the top of my "experiential degree" list.

NOW, AT 32, I GET TO GO! ✈️

Amazon - My Continuing Education Trip:

This July, I've been invited to join Dr. Meg Lowman, "CanopyMeg!" - world-renowned tree canopy biologist, author, inspirational speaker, and activist for girls & women in science - on a research expedition to Iquitos, Peru. Deep in the heart of the Amazon. The expedition is a mixture of research, hands-on education, and connection with local indigenous communities (eek!).

High-level itinerary for Week 1 on CanopyMeg's 2026 TREE Foundation Amazon Expedition:

Day 1: Arrive in Lima!

Day 2: Flight to Iquitos, city tour, boat ride, Explorama Lodge, forest hike

Day 3: Fishing for piranha, pink dolphin & sloth watching, forest hike, night boat ride

Day 4: Ethnobotanical Garden tour, medicinal plants shaman, sunset tree canopy walkway, phosphorescent fungi

Day 5: Sunrise tree canopy walkway, Maijuna community, stingless bee project, Ceiba Tops lake, caiman watching

Day 6: Intercultural rainforest community project, giant Ceiba Tree hike

Day 7: Indigenous Yagua community, return to Iquitos!

But wait, there's more! After the expedition, I'm extending my trip 2 more weeks to explore more of Peru, and possibly Ecuador or Costa Rica. Diving deeper into the ecosystem and Indigenous-led conservation communities doing work that will reshape how I think about everything I do back home.

Invitation to Donate:

I'm still working out the details, but I've started to build a best-guess budget for the whole trip. I won't pretend the costs are small - between the expedition fee, flights & ground transportation, travel insurance, vaccines, gifts for the local people, and miscellaneous travel costs, I'm looking at more than I can cover on my own: $3,500. I've been saving, but I need help to close the gap! So, if you feel connected to my mission and continued education, I would like to invite you to help support and fund my trip

My Promise to YOU & All My Donors

I'm inviting everyone who chooses to support me to a post-trip PARTY in September, where I'll provide refreshments, share stories, photos, and everything the Amazon taught me. It'll be an honor to include you in on my experience!

Thank you for being part of this. Every little bit helps me get closer to achieving my dream! It truly means more than I can say. Thank you thank you thank you!

Adventure awaits!

Megan