By Jessie Schrauger
A timeline of global field experiences: Baja California (2019), Namibia (2022), and Guyana (2025).
When I first started Project Dragonfly in 2019, I could not have imagined that I would still be on this journey of pursuing my Master’s six years later. I see it as a real blessing and opportunity though, to have been able to truly embrace being curious about the world around me, engaging with both local and global communities, and becoming fiercely passionate about conservation – all while staying true to my authentic self.
Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone in Baja California, México
One learning that has always stood out to me was in Baja California, on my very first Earth Expedition. It was the first time that I was asked to take out my journal, and reflect on the experience we were about to embark on together.
We were gathered as a class in the city, perched on some big rocks in an area that was like a small park and situated next to the border wall with the USA, which of itself was a humbling place to be. I’ll never forget how the wall was painted so beautifully with a rainbow of colors for as far as the eye could see, and adorned with messages of love and pain for family and friends on the other side.
That first gathering impressed upon me the importance of comfort zones and the encouragement to step outside of them because, as the saying goes, “it’s where all the fun is!” Such a simple concept, but one that I have reflected on often. Whether in my coursework, my profession, or my personal life, I have been challenged to step outside what is comfortable. Sometimes it felt easy and exciting; other times, it felt hard and scary. Through it all, I have tried to find the fun, which has helped me approach every situation with a more thoughtful perspective.
A Timeline of Purpose
Not too long ago, it struck me that each of my three Earth Expeditions—Baja California, Namibia, and Guyana—were all spaced exactly three years apart. While I’ve had many impactful moments in my online courses, Earth Expeditions are a defining part of this program. For me, it is significant to marvel at how they played out in just the right space and timeline.
I’m incredibly grateful for the countless people—local partners, instructors, and peers—that I’ve encountered. Looking back, I can see clearly how these experiences shaped not only my Master Plan but my own sense of fulfillment. I don’t think I could have come to these same conclusions had I completed my program three years ago. I feel grateful to have had the time to explore what it truly means to connect people with nature.
Honoring Traditional Knowledge and “Heart Knowledge”
I felt a deep excitement to dig into traditional knowledge through my time with the Makushi people in Guyana. To truly cultivate a sense of stewardship, we must consider the traditional values and beliefs that first marked the connection between humans and nature.
I initially thought this interest began when I started volunteering with the Pangolin Conservation and Research Foundation in Namibia in 2023, and met the indigenous Ju/‘hoansi San people. I’ve since continued to engage with these amazing communities through the protection of pangolins, and still marvel at how my Earth Expedition in Namibia only one year before made it possible to connect with conservation efforts that are now a big part of my life and work.
One of my most profound moments was a conversation about indigenous representation with my peer, Chloe, and Lydia, an intern at the Iwokrama Centre. Lydia shared her frustration regarding the environmental changes her village was experiencing and her despair at not having a voice. As an indigenous person, Chloe offered thoughtful encouragement, and I found it redemptive to help create a safe space for that conversation—focusing on uplifting Lydia’s desire for change.
In so many ways, I am grateful to have expanded my “heart knowledge”—a term that has stuck with me since Baja. My journey would have looked very different if I hadn’t been challenged to find the fun outside my comfort zone, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Author Biography:
Jessie Schrauger is a graduate student in the Global Field Program with Project Dragonfly. She works in Guest Relations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and serves as the USA Country Manager for the Pangolin Conservation and Research Foundation (PCRF). Jessie is passionate about being a voice for the world’s most trafficked mammal and proving that meaningful conservation impact can be achieved from anywhere.