The August 26 Mountaineers meeting will feature a talk by Judah Epstein, a passionate volunteer with the Tree Monkey Project, for a presentation on how the specialized skill of tree climbing is being used around the world to support science, conservation, and community empowerment. Drawing from his firsthand experiences, Judah will share stories from a wide range of fieldwork and environmental missions that span multiple continents.

Learn about the critical role of canopy access in wildlife research and habitat preservation—from assisting Orangutan and Sun Bear conservation efforts in the dense rainforests of Borneo, to training Indigenous communities in Ecuador to safely access the forest canopy for ecological monitoring and sustainable practices. Judah will also discuss his involvement in the Arizona Gray Hawk Project, the installation of "monkey bridges" to support wildlife connectivity in fragmented Costa Rican landscapes, and direct action initiatives to counter illegal logging and poaching in the Peruvian Amazon.

This talk will highlight how the unique practice of professional tree climbing is not only a tool for scientific discovery but also a powerful means of supporting conservation goals, protecting biodiversity, and fostering collaboration with local communities.

We welcome all to this Mountaineers’ meeting, held on the usual fourth Tuesday of the month. The social hour, with cookies, begins at 6:45 PM and the program at 7:00 PM. The presentation will be in-person at Los Alamos Nature Center; the slides will be live-streamed on Zoom. Registration is required to Zoom and recommended for in-person – we would love to see your smiling face. Registration details are available at https://peecla.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/peecla/event.jsp?event=57339&.

Judah above the forest canopy in Borneo.