Ask Dr. Canopy!

Since 1996, ICAN has administered an innovative program that provides scientifically sound information about tree canopies and forest ecosystems to children directly through letters and emails.

The program also serves to connect inquisitive students with researchers and to demonstrate that scientists take the time to respond to children's curiosity about the natural world. Children who read about forest canopies in publications, or see presentations and climbing demonstrations we perform at primary and secondary schools are encouraged to send a letter or an email message with their questions and comments to "Dr. Canopy".

Dr. Canopy is the collective persona of eight volunteer forest canopy researchers who represent different subfields of canopy studies, and who donate their time and expertise to this program. Questions are sent out to the particular expert, and responses are routed back to the child. Sometimes, the dialogue between expert and child continues beyond the initial question and response. With increased support, our ADC! program could expand to provide more venues for presentation and to serve as a model for other scientific disciplines.

To ask Dr. Canopy a question, send an e-mail to canopy@evergreen.edu.

Snail-mail your inquiry to:
Dr. Canopy
c/o ICAN
2103 Harrison Ave NW #612
Olympia, WA 98502