Project Dragonfly is a transformative education initiative with master’s degree programs in biology, graduate courses, learning media, public exhibits, and community partnerships across the U.S. and globally. With three programs to choose from, students can tailor their learning experience to their overall goals and interests.
Swimming with Giants and 3D Printed Rhinos with Dr. Claire Lannoye-Hall
Imagine stepping into the open ocean, the saltwater lifting your body, when suddenly a massive, majestic whale shark glides right beside you. For Dr. Claire Lannoye-Hall, that breathtaking moment wasn't just a bucket-list adventure—it was a terrifying leap of faith for an adult who didn't even know how to swim. It’s exactly the kind of barrier-breaking courage Claire has brought to her decades-long career in conservation education.
Starting out as an "accidental" zoo educator when local classroom teaching jobs were scarce, Claire fell in love with informal learning. Now, as the Vice President of Education at the Detroit Zoo, she is reimagining how the public interacts with wildlife. From letting go of rigid instructions to allow for pure, immersive play, to supporting her team in creating entire rhinoceros skeletons on 3D printers for local high schools, Claire is shifting the traditional "passive sign reading" model into authentic, life-changing community engagement.
Tune in to hear:
-- The Power of Loose Parts: Why the Detroit Zoo's massive new seven-acre section ditches instructional signs and lets children guide their own learning through play.
-- A Shift in Perspective: How Claire's early trips delivering school supplies to Peru evolved from a "deficit model" of giving into a deep, mutual partnership.
-- Trauma Bonding & Resilience: What it was like navigating a PhD program during a global pandemic while her husband was deployed for National Guard response.
10 Jul 2026
Urban Ecology and the "Pigeon Paradox" with 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 Rise of the Urban Planet: For the first time in history, more people live in urban areas than rural ones. Kevin emphasizes that conservation success now depends on making cities livable and helping urbanites connect with nature to prevent the "extinction of experience."
The "Pigeon Paradox": If city dwellers only interact with species they perceive as "dirty" or common (like pigeons), they may lose their appreciation for the natural world. Urban ecology aims to provide high-quality nature experiences right where people live—from Coney Island to Chicago.
A "New World" Gardening Ethic: While native plants are ideal for specialists, Kevin suggests a pragmatic approach for urban gardeners. In highly altered city environments, non-invasive "butterfly magnets" (like butterfly bush) or culinary herbs can provide vital nectar and pollen for generalist bees when native options are scarce.
26 Jun 2026
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. that is privately owned.
3 Key Takeaways
Conservation is a Social Responsibility: Owning a piece of the Earth comes with the responsibility of stewardship. Because ecosystems are interconnected (the "anti-Vegas" effect), what you plant in your yard directly impacts the health of your local watershed and global biodiversity.
The 50% Rule for Lawns: With 44 million acres of lawn in the U.S. (an area larger than New England), Tallamy challenges homeowners to "cut your lawn in half." Replacing dead ecological space with native plants creates a functional food web that supports birds and pollinators.
Keystone Plants are Essential: Not all plants are created equal. "Keystone" species, like Oaks, support hundreds of caterpillar species—the "meat and potatoes" of the terrestrial food web. Without caterpillars, bird populations cannot survive, as a single clutch of chickadees requires thousands of caterpillars to fledge.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
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