In this episode, Dr. Nalini Nadkarni shares how her childhood fascination with trees led her to become a pioneer in the study of tree canopies and a leading advocate for conservation. Her endeavors are rooted in her sense of longing to protect trees, to connect more deeply to them and understand them, and to share and promote that understanding as widely as possible.
Nalini Nadkarni’s unique academic career interweaves her scientific research on rainforest canopy biota with innovative public engagement. She has written 150 scientific papers and books on the composition and ecological roles of canopy-dwelling communities, supported by the National Science Foundation and the National Geographic Society. She also engages with those who do not or cannot gain access to science education, including faith-based groups, artists, corporations, and people who are incarcerated. Her work is featured in journals ranging from Science to Playboy, and in public media such as Science Friday, Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me, and RadioLab. In 2023, the National Geographic Society named her as one of their ten “Explorers at Large.” Her awards include a Guggenheim Fellowship, the AAAS Award for Public Engagement, the National Science Foundation Award for Public Service, The Rachel Carson Award for Conservation, The Wilson Award for the Advancement of Social Justice, and the Archie Carr Medal for Conservation.
In our conversation, Nalini talks about how she became interested in studying the forest canopy and the challenges she faced in pursuing this field. She describes the various methods used to access the canopy, from climbing ropes to construction cranes, and the discoveries she made about the interconnectedness of trees and canopy-dwelling plants. Nalini emphasizes the importance of understanding the systems and processes of ecosystems in order to make predictions and inform conservation efforts. She shares her experiences working in rainforests, including the dangers and challenges she faced. Dr. Nadkarni also talks about her public engagement work, such as the creation of Treetop Barbie, and her efforts to connect her research to religious communities. She highlights the significance of trees in different religious texts and the positive impact of engaging with faith leaders. Additionally, she discusses her work with prisoners and artists, as well as her exploration of long-term funding from impact investors. Dr. Nadkarni emphasizes the power of conversation and encourages individuals to engage with others about the importance of trees and nature.
In this episode we talk about:
How Nalini was inspired by her childhood spent climbing trees
Becoming a pioneering researcher of tree canopies
How trees are a connector of organisms
The beauty of unlocking the hidden order of nature
Overcoming the challenges of climbing hundreds of feet above the forest
Raising awareness about the protection of trees through public engagement
Creating “Treetop Barbie”
Nalini’s outreach to religious groups
Developing conservation projects with incarcerated persons
Nalini’s work as a National Geographic Explorer
To learn more about Dr. Nailini’s work:
https://www.nalininadkarni.com/
https://explorers.nationalgeographic.org/directory/nalini-m-nadkarni
This episode is sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/) and
Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)
Support us on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast
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