Conservation, Community, and Resilience: Reflections from Earth Expeditions Paraguay

By: Giulia Manca

An outdoor gathering with a large group of children and adults on a dirt ground next to a red brick building. In the center foreground, a woman kneels down to hold a small, orange cylindrical viewing device or toy to a young child's eye, who looks through it curiously. Several other young children stand closely around them, watching intently. In the background, more children and adults are scattered across the area, chatting, standing in small clusters, and interacting under a slightly overcast sky.
(Photo submitted by author: Mberu Pirapo’i community, Paraguay)

Below, please watch Giulia’s heartfelt video reflection of her transformative experience in her Earth Expeditions Paraguay course: 

https://youtube.com/shorts/0a0cnyIY21A?si=r4EEv-gjpZ25t0TR

Through my Earth Expeditions Paraguay experience, my idea of conservation completely transformed.  Learning from different cultures and Indigenous communities opened my eyes to how deeply environmental injustice is tied to social injustice. This journey has changed the way I approach social-ecological issues when I talk with guests at work and deepened my commitment to advocating for both people and wildlife. I am currently a master’s student in the Global Field Program, and I am incredibly excited to continue this work through my second Earth Expedition. 

Also, I would love to share with you my favorite pictures from the Paraguay Earth Expedition, where I had the honor to connect with this sweet little girl from the Mberu Pirapo’i community.

Author Biography:

A close-up shot of a Giulia sitting down and holding a young child wearing an orange shirt in her lap. Both are looking off to the left with thoughtful expressions. Another child wearing a pink sweatshirt stands closely next to them on the left, partially captured in the frame. The background shows an outdoor dirt area near the base of a tree.

Giulia Manca is originally from Italy and moved to the USA in 2019. She lives in San Diego, California where she works as a tour guide at the San Diego Zoo. She also volunteers as a docent with the Sierra Club Seal Society of San Diego. She discovered Project Dragonfly while working at the zoo and searching for a way to turn her lifelong passion for wildlife into a meaningful way to actively contribute to conservation with and for local communities. She is currently a master’s student in the Global Field Program and is incredibly excited to continue this work through her second Earth Expedition.

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