Meet Tim Kovar, Expert Tree Climber & Instructor

It's one thing to gaze up at majestic, magical tree canopies (I had that pleasure in the Amazon); it must be another to get a bird's eye view suspended within the canopy itself. That's what Tim Kovar has been doing for over 15 years as master instructor at Tree Climbing Northwest, his Oregon-based company offering tree climb training and adventures-- and adviser to Tropical Tree Climbing, a responsible tour outfit in Brazil's Amazon rainforest.

Over his career, Kovar has helped more than 8,000 folks scale up tree trunks. From professional bird researchers in Indonesia to climatologists in California's Redwoods, film crews capturing aerial views in Costa Rica, herpetologists in India—to adventure junkies and nature enthusiasts simply looking for a new airborne challenge and thrill in the great outdoors.

Kovar is convinced: whether the ascend is for work or for play, the climber is often deeply affected and inspired to protect the environment. Responsible tourism officials and tourists, take note!

Planet Green: How did you get into this line of work?

Tim Kovar: I've been climbing trees since I was four years old and even then, I viewed the treetops as my serene sanctuary. My passion for trees and the environment led me to pursue a career as an arborist. This is where I first learned the art of technical tree climbing.

PG: What was your "a-ha" moment?

TK: Early in my career as an arborist, I was volunteering at an open tree climb and an elderly woman asked if she could give it a try. She hadn't climbed a tree in almost 70 years and was curious if the "magic" she remembered was still up there. Once she was aloft at approximately 20 ft., I heard her whisper to the tree, "I'm sorry I have forgotten about you all these years, thank you for your patience. I forgot what it felt like to be part of nature."

Soon after, I put down the chainsaw and earned my credentials as a master tree-climbing instructor.

PG: Who is your green hero?

TK: Indigenous tribes around the world-- they have always lived a sustainable existence.

PG: What is your ultimate green goal?

TK: To bring a deeper awareness of the significance that trees play in the quality of our life through dynamic hands-on involvement. If you create the opportunity for people to have this type of experience, they walk away more educated, connected and concerned.

PG: What is your motivation?

TK: Time is running out for our planet. Throughout the Pacific Northwest, I witness old growth trees travelling on trailers, heading to the mills. In the Amazon, I've seen thousands of acres slashed and burned for farming and cattle. When you see this first hand, you realize the importance of acting now to protect what is left before it's too late.

PG: What is most important to you, ecologically speaking?

TK: Protecting our old growth forests. The ecosystem has produced a delicate symbiosis, which can easily be altered resulting in the lost of valuable endemic habitats.

PG: What is the most challenging part of your job?

TK: Obtaining access to natural public areas where we can educate the general public about trees via safe tree climbing education.

PG: What is the most rewarding?

TK: Watching people smile; their eyes and hearts open as they ascend into a tree. A transformation happens where they gain a new perspective on the forest and their lives.

PG: Of the people you have worked with, who impresses you most?

TK: I have great reverence for my tribe of students who have turned their experience into an opportunity to educate others. One student, author Richard Preston, became fascinated with the unique subculture of tree climbers while taking classes as a hobby. He wanted to know why we do what we do. He went on to write The Wild Trees, a New York Times Bestseller.

Though by far, I'm mostly impressed with physically challenged climbers. Watching them leave the comforts of their wheelchairs and drift into an unfamiliar place takes courage and determination. The trees seem to heal people on many different levels.

PG: What green thing do you do everyday?

TK: I shop and eat locally as often as possible. I'm a big believer in supporting local farmers and gardeners at community farmers markets.

PG: What do you wish you could do?

TK: Introduce my world of "tree time" to every country in the world. People seem more at peace when they are sitting in a tree. Imagine if we could get the world's leaders into a tree for their next conference.

PG: What is your biggest eco-sin?

TK: My carbon footprint. I travelled more than 63,000 miles in the past year. My purpose was to teach, guide, educate and climb the trees of the world. A good cause, but at a high environmental price. Ouch.

PG: If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

TK: Raise the human consciousness regarding our natural world.

PG: What is your best green advice?

TK: To simply ask yourself daily, are my actions and lifestyle creating a better world for our future generations? Just asking that question brings awareness to our impact. Choose consciously today so others may simply live tomorrow.

Change Makers is series of interviews with people famous and obscure who are creating a more sustainable world through their work. Meet more Change Makers here.