The International Canopy Network is a research group that studies forests, specifically the part at the top, known as the canopy. iCAN is based at or somehow affiliated with The Evergreen State College (yes “THE” not to be confused with any old Evergreen State College – and it’s a college we love because the have at their mascot the geoduck clam – the world’s most ridiculous and most obscene clam – AND because the school motto is “Omnia Extares” which translates to “Let it all Hang Out” so how can you not love them?) (everyone sing “Go, Geoducks, Go!”)

ICAN is a non-profit organization and like many, must get creative about fundraising. As part of their desire to reach non-traditional audiences, they developed Treetop Barbie. The doll comes with, of course, a safety harness and helmet (which she says does mess with the hair somewhat – but she’s got a pocket in her vest especially for hair-care accessories) also a climbing rope, field guides, binoculars and a little tiny data/and ID book that can be used in the rain. The field guide comes in people sizes too. According to the Times “interview”, Barbie tells us that she’ working with some gardens and labs to discover new drugs as “more than 25 percent of all prescription drugs come from plants”.

According to the article in today’s Seattle Times magazine, the brains at ICAN did contact Mattel about marketing the great doll but have not heard back.

TreeTop Barbie is available for purchase on the ICAN website. According to the article, their working on “Ground Support Ken”.

You can find this fabulous doll by going to the ICAN website – www.evergreenedu/ican. She’s also available through a link with the AAAS (American Academy for the advancement of Science. She comes at a light-skinned doll )brunette or blond) as well as a darker skinned doll. $55 for the doll, $100 adds a contribution to the ICAN’s educational programs.