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 Joe
Maher is a photojournalist and photojournalism teacher; he has been
involved in high adventure activities for most of his life. Introduced
to the field of canopy research in 1996, Joe has now become an
instructor in canopy access techniques for students and scientists who
wish to explore this exciting frontier of field science. The program
that he runs in Panama at the Institute for Tropical Ecology and
Conservation is one of the few places offering a formal program where
budding canopy researchers can come to gain the training and expertise
necessary to safely ascend into the tropical canopy to pursue their
study. Maher is also the founder of the Tree Climber Coalition, an
organization dedicated to the idea of sharing techniques and climbing
knowledge among researchers, recreational climbers, and those utilizing
tree climbing as a venue for experiential education.
Maher has written several manuals
on canopy access including Exploring the Roof of the Rainforest: The
ITEC Manual for Canopy Access Techniques and Adaptive Climbing
Systems: A Manual For Facilitating the Physically Impaired/Challenged
Climber and Treetoppers; Adventures and Misadventures In the
Arboreal Frontier, a collection of tree climbing stories.
Maher has worked with field
researchers from many disciplines while assisting them on their way into
the canopy. Notable associations have included working with
herpetologists studying the eyelash viper (Bothriechis Schlegeli),
researchers working with various species of bats, primatologists,
botanists looking at epiphytic diversity, and students involved in all
manner of personal course research projects. Maher spends between five
and six months a year working in the neotropical environment of Central
America.
Email:
j.maher@conservationinstitute.org
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