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.
Project Dragonfly
Claim This Podcastby at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio
5.0(1 reviews)
31 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
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.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
9/1/2023
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Recent Episodes
July 10, 2026
Urban Ecology and the "Pigeon Paradox" with Kevin Matteson
<p>In a special "flipped" episode, Project Dragonfly’s own <strong>Dr. Kevin Matteson</strong> moves from the host’s chair to the guest’s seat. Interviewed by graduate student <strong>Aimee Kemp</strong>, Kevin shares his journey from the urban landscape of the Bronx to becoming a leading voice in urban ecology and pollinator conservation.</p><p><strong>3 Key Takeaways</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>The Rise of the Urban Planet:</strong> 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."</p></li><li><p><strong>The "Pigeon Paradox":</strong> 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.</p></li><li><p><strong>A "New World" Gardening Ethic:</strong> 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.</p></li></ul>
June 26, 2026
Homegrown Conservation: A Conversation with Doug Tallamy
<p>The "guru" of the native plant movement, <strong>Dr. Doug Tallamy</strong>, joins host <strong>Aimee Kemp</strong> to discuss a revolutionary idea: your backyard is the next great frontier for conservation. As a founder of <strong>Homegrown National Park</strong>, 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.</p><p><strong>3 Key Takeaways</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Conservation is a Social Responsibility:</strong> 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.</p></li><li><p><strong>The 50% Rule for Lawns:</strong> 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.</p></li><li><p><strong>Keystone Plants are Essential:</strong> Not all plants are created equal. "Keystone" species, like <strong>Oaks</strong>, 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.</p></li></ul>
June 12, 2026
Leadership in the Tides: Conservation & Culture with T'Noya Thompson
<p>From the vibrant reefs of the Bahamas to the desert landscapes of Baja, <strong>T'Noya Thompson</strong> has transformed her lifelong love for the ocean into a career of deep impact. In this episode, host <strong>Kevin Matteson</strong> 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 Coexistence Fellow at the Cincinnati Zoo.</p><p><strong>3 Key Takeaways</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>The "Organization as an Ecosystem":</strong> T'Noya’s PhD research treats conservation organizations like living systems. She is investigating the link between organizational culture and staff turnover, arguing that we must protect the people doing the work just as fiercely as we protect the wildlife.</p></li><li><p><strong>Building a Legacy in the Bahamas:</strong> After a chance meeting at her Master’s graduation with Dr. Ancilleno Davis, T'Noya co-founded "Bahamians, Birds, and Botany." This citizen science program for teens provides the kind of early exposure to nature that T'Noya had to seek out on her own as a child.</p></li><li><p><strong>The "Day 4" Transformation:</strong> On Earth Expeditions, there is often a pivotal moment around the fourth day where the distance from home sets in. T'Noya shares how overcoming this emotional hurdle, through journaling and peer support, allowed her to be fully present and form authentic, lifelong kinships with her cohort.</p></li></ul><p><br></p>
31 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Project Dragonfly?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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