Dragonfly Diversity Cafes is a developing series of virtual talks focusing on international conservation, urban and rural ecology, inquiry-based education, nature connections, and other relevant topics. The cafes aim to elevate marginalized perspectives on diversity, equality, and inclusion-related topics in an environmental and conservation setting.

Invited speakers will explore topical ideas, research, and experience in the first half of the Cafe hour. In the latter half, the Cafe will open up for discussion and audience participation to engage with the speaker(s) and their ideas. Use this form to nominate yourself or another presenter(s) for an upcoming Dragonfly Cafe.

Presentations are held on the third Thursday of each month from 7:30-8:30 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time (EST).

For more information about each cafe and to register, click the links below. Presentations are available through Zoom. Some presentations will be recorded and available on Project Dragonfly’s YouTube site.

2022 Cafe Details:

April 21, 2022: “Overcoming Personal and Professional Struggles as an Asian American in Conservation” by Katie Leung, a Miami University graduate student in the Advanced Inquiry Program.

March 17, 2022: “Science and Perspective: The Importance of Local Knowledge for Global Conservation” by Dr. Ancilleno Davis, Senior Scientist and Policy Analyst at the Bahamas National Trust.

February 17, 2022: “Pursuing Equity: A Must for Conservation”  by Katie Dell, outdoor educator and resource teacher naturalist for Baltimore County Public Schools in Maryland. 

2021 Cafe Details:

March 18, 2021: “Rendering Visible: Gender, Wellbeing, & Alternative Governance Narratives in Small-Scale Fishing Foodways” by Emily Horton, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Knauss Fellow

April 8, 2021: “Untangling Equity and the Environment: the Future of Conservation and How We Get There” by Tanner Yess, Co-Executive Director at Groundwork Ohio River Valley of Groundwork USA

May 20, 2021: “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Scholarly Research” by Ginny Boehme, Miami University Libraries

June 17, 2021: “Optimism in Global Conservation” by Austin and Taylor Parker, Founders of the Pelecanus.org Podcast

July 15, 2021: “Gender, Equity, and Leadership in Conservation” by Jesse Young, Founder of the Community Baboon Sanctuary Women’s Conservation Group, Belize

October 21, 2021: “Myaamionki ‘place of the Miami”

November 18, 2021: “How Connecting Youth to Nature Saved My Life” by Credell Walls, Dragonfly alum and Program Coordinator for the Forest Preserve of Cook County, Ill.