Latest Posts
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Swapping Signs for Conversations: Zoo Education Reimagined
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…
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On a Wild Goose Chase: Investigating the Feet of the Hawaiian Nene
By Shari Okada’s Second-Grade Class, Lihikai School, Kahului, Hawaii Editor’s Note: This post is a gem from our Dragonfly Magazine archives, originally published in Dragonfly Magazine in the September/October 1997 issue. It showcases how a classroom of young researchers can use simple observations to uncover powerful evolutionary truths. The Spark Whether you are hiding or…
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How to Ask Your Employer to Pay for Your Master’s Degree (with Email Templates)
The Problem: The Daunting Financial Reality By Kevin Matteson You have finally found the perfect graduate program. You know that a master’s degree from Project Dragonfly will elevate your career, ignite your passion, and give you the tools to make a real environmental impact. But then you look at the tuition, and panic sets in.…
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Cultivating Conservation at the Human-Dog Interface: Field Notes from The Bahamas
By Devlyn Stubbs My name is Devlyn Stubbs. I am a 46-year-old father of two and a graduate student at Miami University, Ohio. In December of 2024, I embarked on a study abroad course with Miami University’s Project Dragonfly in Oxford, Ohio. Project Dragonfly, in collaboration with the University of The Bahamas, facilitated a study…
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Flipped Conversation: Urban Ecology and the “Pigeon Paradox” with Dr. Kevin Matteson
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…
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Ants on the Move: How Far Will Fire Ants Go for Food?
By the Seventh-Grade Class of Tim Jarboe and Jennifer Leahy, W.R. Coile Middle School, Athens, Georgia Editor’s Note: Originally published in Dragonfly Magazine in May/June 1997, this article from our archives showcases an incredible student-led inquiry into insect behavior right in a schoolyard. It proves that you don’t need a professional lab to do real…
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Do You Have to Leave the Classroom to Become a Conservation Leader?
By Kevin Matteson The Problem: The “All or Nothing” Conservation Myth You likely chose teaching for all the right reasons: you love kids, you enjoy being an active part of your community, and you possess a deep desire to give back. Because altruistic people naturally gravitate toward education, it’s no surprise that so many teachers…
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Roots in Resilience: A Reflection from Earth Expeditions Belize
By: Pachancia Knowles During my first Earth Expedition experience, one message that stayed with me was the strength of women in leadership and how powerful true community-led conservation can be. Spending time at the Community Baboon Sanctuary in Belize, I saw how women like Miss Jessie continue to drive conservation forward through teamwork, care, and…
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Homegrown Conservation: A Conversation with Doug Tallamy
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.…