The Dragonfly Journal

In this episode, host Kevin Matteson talks with conservation photographer, filmmaker, and 2024 Global Field Program graduate Christy Frank. From navigating the complex agricultural tensions surrounding Lake Erie’s algal blooms to locking eyes with a wild orangutan in the canopy of Sumatra, Christy has dedicated her career to bearing witness to the natural world. But…

From the Great Sand Dunes of Colorado to the craters of the moon, Barbra Sobhani is proof that conservation leadership knows no atmospheric bounds. In this episode, host Kevin Matteson sits down with Barbra—a Project Dragonfly AIP graduate, State Director for the NASA Colorado Space Grant Consortium, and a Master Birder—to discuss how studying life…

What happens when a zoo trade-off passive signs for authentic, one-on-one human connection? In this episode of Dragonfly Conversations, host Kevin Matteson talks with Dr. Claire Lannoye-Hall, Vice President of Education at the Detroit Zoo and a Project Dragonfly Global Field Program graduate. Claire shares her journey from “accidental” zoo educator to executive leader, detailing…

In a special “flipped” episode, Project Dragonfly’s own Dr. Kevin Matteson moves from the host’s chair to the guest’s seat. Interviewed by graduate student Aimee Kemp, Kevin shares his journey from the urban landscape of the Bronx to becoming a leading voice in urban ecology and pollinator conservation. 3 Key Takeaways The “Hidden Gem” Teaser Listen for Kevin’s…

The “guru” of the native plant movement, Dr. Doug Tallamy, joins host Aimee Kemp to discuss a revolutionary idea: your backyard is the next great frontier for conservation. As a founder of Homegrown National Park, Tallamy argues that we can no longer rely solely on parks and preserves to save biodiversity; we must enlist the 78% of the U.S.…

From the vibrant reefs of the Bahamas to the desert landscapes of Baja, T’Noya Thompson has transformed her lifelong love for the ocean into a career of deep impact. In this episode, host Kevin Matteson explores T’Noya’s journey from a zookeeper at Moody Gardens to becoming a PhD candidate, the owner of Wild Spark Consulting, and the first Wildlife…