Grandfather Presents: Dr. Margaret Lowman, Ph.D., aka CanopyMeg

One of the world’s first arbornauts, CanopyMeg devoted over four decades to exploring forest canopies. Her research and exploration have taken her to more than 40 countries, where she not only tirelessly saves forests but also mentors girls. Lowman has published over 200 research publications. Her work has appeared in National Geographic, Wired, Popular Science, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and many others; and her first book (of 10) received a cover feature in The New York Times Sunday Book Review. Lowman has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Explorers Medal from The Explorers Club, Garden Club of America’s Margaret Douglas Medal for conservation education, Ecological Society of America’s Odum Award for Excellence in Ecology Education and the Tällberg Foundation’s Global Leadership Prize.

Her recent successes include partnering to build a canopy walkway in Malaysia (which led to designation as a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve site), working with Coptic priests in Ethiopia to save their last remaining forests and speaking to over 3 million kids each year about trees. “The Arbornaut” (2021, Farrar, Straus & Giroux), a memoir of her adventures, is a bestseller.

Grandfather Presents Schedule

• 8 a.m. for June, July and August events, 9 a.m. for September event | Grandfather Mountain opens for the day, and “VIP Reception” ticket holders are allowed access to the park. New this year, your event ticket will be scanned at one of our ticket booths at the entrance gate.
• 4:45 p.m. | “Presentation” ticket holders are allowed to enter the park and are welcome to explore the Conservation Campus (Wilson Center, Mildred the Bear Environmental Habitats and more) prior to the speaker presentation. New this year, your event ticket will be scanned at one of our ticket booths at the entrance gate.
• 4:45 – 5:45 p.m. | Check-in for all event attendees near the front entrance of the Wilson Center (to receive your wristband for the event)
• 5 – 5:30 p.m. | “VIP” Reception in the Wilson Center (“VIP Reception” ticket holders only)
• 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. | Speaker presentation in the Classroom in the Clouds
• 6:45 – 7:30 p.m. | Meet-and-greet/book signing with speaker
• 7:45 p.m. | Park should be clear of all Grandfather Presents guests.

Grandfather Presents Tickets
Two tiers of ticket access are offered for Grandfather Presents events.

“VIP Reception” tickets include a VIP reception with the guest speaker that features heavy hors d’oeuvres, in addition to the program and the “meet-and-greet/book-signing” session after the event. Admission to the park for the day is also included.

• $60 “VIP Reception” Adult
• $51 “VIP Reception” Bridge Club Member

(limited quantity available)

“Presentation” tickets are a more cost-effective option and include only the speaker’s program and the “meet-and-greet/book-signing” session after the event.

• $25 “Presentation” Adult
• $20 “Presentation” Bridge Club Member
• Children under 12 are admitted free with a paying adult (maximum of four free children per purchase).

Tickets for this event go on sale here July 26 at 10 a.m.

Bridge Club Members, click here to purchase “Presentation” tickets or “VIP Reception” tickets.
You will need to use your Bridge Club member number (located on your card below the barcode) to purchase.

Non-Bridge Club Members, click here to purchase “Presentation” tickets or “VIP Reception” tickets.

Refunds/Cancellations
Full refunds will be given to individuals who reach out to us at least five days before the event. This allows time for individuals on the waiting list to make accommodations to attend the event. To cancel your registration, please call 828-733-2013 Monday – Friday between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Fill your summer with learning and exploration: See our “Grandfather Presents” Reading List. 

Learn more about our 2024 Grandfather Presents speaker series.