Sue Stockdale talks to Vicki Tough, an arborist, tree climbing Instructor and Rope Access Level 3, Work at Height professional about the highs and lows of her job, and finds out about the Big Canopy Campout: an annual tree top event that connects tree climbing and forest enthusiasts around the world.

Vicki grew up in the Cairngorm mountains of Scotland which set the scene for a fascination with the natural world. After pursuing a Zoology Degree at the University of Glasgow, Vicki’s first experience of a rainforest in Ecuador became the catalyst for her career as a Work at Height Professional, Arborist and Tree Climbing Instructor. She founded Sylvana Alta to combine these professions and promote scientific exploration in forest canopies worldwide, believing that the greater understanding of its value will better protect it for the future. Vicki has organised, participated in, and led research expeditions for over 18 years assisting and contributing to scientific studies in South America, Indonesia, Europe and Australia.

An IRATA level 3 supervisor Vicki has over 12 years of industrial rope access experience; working on large scale construction projects throughout the UK and Europe and contributing to the less than 1% of females in this role. Working in these contrasting environments has enabled an appreciation and understanding of technical rigging solutions and the importance of teamwork in often challenging conditions.

In 2017 Vicki and several other climbing professionals set up Big Canopy Campout C.I.C and the event has grown to encompass participants from 36 different countries raising money to support grassroot organisations in their fight to protect their local forested areas.

This series is kindly supported by Squadcast –the remote recording platform which empowers podcasters by capturing high-quality audio and video conversations. Find out more at squadcast.fm

Find out more about Vicki Tough
Website www.sylvanaalta.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SylvanaAlta
Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/sylvanaalta/
LInkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-tough-1a00803b/

Big Canopy Campout www.bigcanopycampout.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CanopyCamp
Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/canopycamp/

Key Quotes:

‘The whole scope of the Olympics was so huge. Not only the buildings, but also just the grandeur of the event and it bringing the whole world together.’

‘Everything takes 10 times longer and you really need to prepare before you set out.’

‘I would wear overalls that looked like they were designed for my father.’

‘It was just this drive to explore and to ask questions. I was always such a curious child.’

‘When I show researchers how to climb they're just so enthusiastic, trying to get up this tree so that they can see the thing that they want to research that they're not bothered by the height.’

‘Tree climbing and rope access, comes with stereotypes. It comes with a lot of people thinking, you gotta be fast, you've gotta be strong. you’ve gotta have muscles. A lot of people are a little bit surprised when I rock up - eight and a half stone, and five foot six.’

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Sound Editor: Matias de Ezcurra (he/him)
Series Producer: Sue Stockdale (she/her)