File:Tree canopy.jpg

Up Above with Don Perry

Many years ago, I came to know and represent Don Perry. He remains an exceptionally brave, athletic, and visionary soul. Don was one of the very first explorers to go where no one had gone before in the modern world with the tools of science. Don used to say -- we came from up there (pointing to the treetops) -- and "when I'm up there and moving through the trees and the forest life and marveling at it all, 'deep feelings' come back". For over 40 years Don and I have stayed friends and in multiple regions we have advanced earth science and green politics. Don taught me that the 'real jungle' is not so much the picture painted by Hollywood movies, the floor of the jungle and danger, but rather "it's up there", the jungle habitat brimming with life was "up above"... from the tiny little ones, the insects never-before seen by humans, and the 'one-step' snakes (in other words don't get bit by them or else), the birds and their role in propagating the plants, and the flowers and on and on.... Don and his climbing network, a "canopy web", pioneered the ascent into the treetops and the richest biosphere on earth....

• https://www.greenpolicy360.net/w/Rainforest_Canopy_Don_Perry

• http://floridawestcoast.tumblr.com/post/41543294774/up-in-the-rainforest-canopy-with-don-perry-my