For the last decade, I have been facilitating educational outreach initiatives through my own story of exploration and dedication to protecting wildlife and ecosystems, much of it by solo motorcycle travel. Riding more than 100,000 miles (much of it on dirt), I’ve seen how my own story--of being a woman alone on a motorcycle abroad, following my "map of hope"--acts like a hook to talk about conservation to those who otherwise may not listen. I also work to focus on the positive, maintaining that if more people know about the successful initiatives out there, the more they can exist in this world. During this time, I’ve: -Designed and implemented environmental educational curricula for remote villages bordering protected areas in Laos. -Helped fundraise for dozens of non-profit organizations working on the frontlines of conservation. -Created and now coordinate an international volunteer program for a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center in northern Colombia. -Bridged the worlds of motorcycle enthusiasts with conservationists on three continents. -Taught courses on Storytelling for Advocacy for international students and professionals in Southeast Asia. -Delivered guest lectures at events, schools and universities about biodiversity protection and efforts to end the illegal wildlife trade. -Utilized various media types, such as magazines, podcasts, and social media channels to share positive solutions. I’m currently researching octopuses at the University of Miami, employing non-invasive environmental DNA techniques to study populations and asking the question, "What does Octopus vulgaris want?"