Valuation, Consignment and Auction Prices - Mearto.com The "TreeTop Barbie" was a small-scale, custom project by ecologist Nalini Nadkarni, not an official Mattel "Forest Canopies" product line, with around 400 hand-outfitted dolls sold over 15 years. These were repurposed Barbies and are primarily available through collector or resale markets.  Product Details The original "TreeTop Barbie" dolls were a non-profit initiative by Dr. Nalini Nadkarni to inspire girls to pursue science and ecology.  * Custom Creation: Dr. Nadkarni bought used Barbies from thrift stores and, with volunteer help, outfitted them with miniature field gear, including a helmet, climbing harness, and a field guide to canopy plants. * * Limited Availability: ONLY about 400 of these custom dolls were ever sold, primarily through her website for the International Canopy Network (ICAN) and at conferences. They were sold at cost to support education and research, not as a commercial product. * Not a Mass-Market "Forest Canopies" Line: The name "Forest Canopies" is likely a descriptor of the field of study the doll represented. It was a grassroots effort, not a mass-produced, limited-edition line by Mattel. * Inspiration for Official Line: Dr. Nadkarni's project eventually led to a collaboration between Mattel and National Geographic in 2019 to create a line of career-focused explorer Barbies (e.g., Wildlife Conservationist, Astrophysicist), with Nadkarni as an advisor. A one-of-a-kind doll in her likeness was created for her, but this was a separate, official line of toys with wider distribution.  Where to Find Given the very small, non-commercial run of the original "TreeTop Barbie", finding one is difficult and they would likely only be available through collector-specific channels.  * Collector Marketplaces: You might find one on online marketplaces like eBay or Etsy, though they would be listed as collector items, potentially at a high value due to their rarity and unique origin story. * Specialty Auctions: High-end toy or scientific memorabilia auctions might occasionally feature one of these dolls.  It is important to verify the authenticity of any "TreeTop Barbie" on the secondary market, as they were hand-made and not part of an officially packaged Mattel collector line.