Dragonfly grads join Detroit Zoo AIP facilitator team

Familiar faces to Dragonfly, GFP graduate Cameron Kniffen '22 and AIP graduate Christa Dillabaugh '20 (pictured below) have been hired to work with the AIP team at our newest AIP site, Detroit Zoo. Kniffen and Dillabaugh join GFP graduate Claire Lannoye-Hall '11, who is the on-site AIP advisor at Detroit Zoo.

As a GFP student, Kniffen traveled to Belize and the Galápagos Islands with Earth Expeditions, engaged with global conservationists in action projects through the online Connected Conservation course, and conducted projects that have made a difference in her local community of Great Lakes, Michigan. Her master's research focused on aquaculture and water resource management and the conservation of urban aquatic ecosystems.

As an AIP student, Dillabaugh traveled to the Amazon with Earth Expeditions and conducted field study and experiential learning through her AIP site, Denver Zoo. Her master's research focused on citizen science, inquiry, and community-based conservation in the Peruvian Amazon.

AIP: the program that can take your career to the next level

AIP graduate Danny DiMarino '22 of New York, New York, who completed his in-person experiential learning through Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo, is one of the alumni spotlights on WCS's AIP site.

"The project-based course work really prepared me to take my career into urban park management," said DiMarino. "I highly recommend the program for anyone looking to work within conservation or anyone looking to take their career in conservation to the next level." Watch

Recent AIP graduate advances sustainability

AIP graduate Kelly Bono '23 of St. Louis, Missouri, chronicles her AIP master's journey and work advancing sustainability in her local community in a video she shared in her final AIP course.

"My 'Master Plan,' or focus of study, was to help small, suburban municipalities become more sustainable," said Bono. "When we hear about sustainability, we often think about protecting nature or the environment. But sustainability is actually a balancing act between caring for the environment and meeting people’s needs. These two tensions are more connected than we often think."

Bono's experiential learning took place through the Missouri Botanical Garden. Watch

With ecological grief comes hope

AIP graduate Molly Toth '23 of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, chronicles her AIP master's journey and work exploring ecological grief and hope in conservation communication.

"We have to be offering a hopeful and plausible and manageable alternative so that's what I've strived to do during my time in Project Dragonfly," said Toth. "To understand how we can talk about these things and how we can identify what motivates people to take action because we are in an all hands-on deck situation."

Toth's experiential learning took place through the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Watch

Serving a purpose for native habitats and pollinators

AIP graduate Terry Maxwell '23 of Seneca, Illinois, reflects on his AIP journey in a video he created for his final course. Hear him describe how he engaged his local community about the causes and the danger of native habitat loss. Maxwell's experiential learning took place through the Brookfield Zoo. Watch

Engaging people in conservation through compassion, contemplative practices, and a little yellow bird

AIP graduate Kim Lamb '23 of Jacksonville, Florida, shares about how a little yellow bird unexpectedly prompted much of her graduate work in a reflective video created for the final course of her AIP journey.

"The funny thing is I did not begin this program focusing on birds," said Lamb. "In fact, I didn't really have a focus for the last several years. I've been producing marketing and training materials for the rail industry but my passions have always been around nature, health, and wellness. And I knew I wanted to be more involved in conservation, so I kept an open mind and followed my curiosity throughout the AIP as different topics crossed my path."

Lamb, who participated in experiential learning through Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, spends her post-graduate time closely interweaving her passions and career. Watch

"This is what I'm supposed to be doing"

AIP graduate Rachel Marlatt '23 of Lansing, Michigan, chronicles her AIP master's journey and work educating zoo guests about animal well-being and conservation.

"When I started this program, I was really lacking confidence in myself and my teaching abilities," said Marlatt. "Through Project Dragonfly and through being able to use these techniques in my teaching, I not only gained back the confidence I had lost ... I realized that this is what I'm supposed to be doing. ... In the two and one-half years that I've been in Project Dragonfly I have had amazing teachers and facilitators and advisors. I've made lifelong friendships ... I have become a better educator and now a published author. And I really couldn't have done any of this without Project Dragonfly."

Marlatt's experiential learning took place through Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Watch

Please join us for our last free, live webinar with Project Dragonfly faculty, staff, and graduates on February 15. The Miami University Graduate School (GS) will waive the $50 application fee for those who attend and apply to Dragonfly. Webinar attendance must precede payment of the application fee. Applicants are encouraged to start their application prior to attending an info session, as they can complete the application prior to paying the $50 GS application fee. The due date to apply to the AIP is February 28. Read more and register

Project Dragonfly is committed to dismantling the structures and forces of exclusion and oppression, particularly in our education systems and in the environmental and conservation movements. To learn more about our diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, please visit our DEI webpage.