Published on Canopy Strategic Partners

In Nature as Nurture Combating Burnout in Conservation and Wildlife Care Careers Miami University graduate student Sophie Plant-Darling shares about studying burnout within the conservation field. The article, inspired by her master’s coursework, includes an introduction from Plant-Darling’s Earth Expeditions (EE) instructor, Kathayoon Khalil, PhD, who writes: “This issue has become increasingly relevant in the past few years and if not addressed, could have troubling consequences for our field. Here, Sophie shares some of her experiences with burnout and avenues for healing.”

“In the beginning of 2022, I decided to leave my position as sea lion supervisor at the Houston Zoo and focus on my health and graduate studies,” Plant-Darling writes. “After 15 years working as an advocate and caretaker for these animals, I struggled with feelings of selfishness around stepping away and prioritizing my need for rest, nearness to my family, and an environment that brings me peace. … We need to care for ourselves as much as we do our work and our animals.”

Plant-Darling is earning a Master of Arts in the biological sciences from Miami University through Project  Dragonfly‘s Global Field Program (GFP). Plant-Darling’s international fieldwork with Project Dragonfly includes investigating coral reefs, manatees, howler monkeys, jaguars, and other wildlife in Belize while learning the methods communities are using to sustain them and studying nature through Buddhist philosophy in Thailand. All photos courtesy of Sophie Plant-Darling.

EE:  Belize 2021

EE: Thailand 2022

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