Virtual Summit Submission

SUNY Oneonta
Tyler Fellowship

Biography

Nadia is a senior at SUNY Oneonta. She majors in Digital/Studio Art and is an Earth Science Minor. She has done many art projects and is now illustrating a children's book with her science professor discussing microorganisms. In her sophomore year, she traveled to Spain to take documentary photography. As a Junior, she went to Portugal, Mafra, to study wolf conservation for 2 weeks, along with taking photos of wolves. She won a scholarship from her school's Environmental Sustainability program. She works with the school's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program to improve the students' experience and works with "Empire State Service Corps" to understand how to better the community. Nadia has been and still is very involved with campus and takes any opportunity she can to do what she loves. Music, Art, History, and Science. And more importantly, save wolves.

Project

Understanding Conservation Efforts for Wolves Worldwide
Wolves communicate and work together as a pack. Normally, one wolf leaves a pack to start their own. However, in the sanctuary, no wolves are allowed to leave the pack. As a result, the sanctuary monitors the wolves' behavior through trail cams to ensure they are healthy and to ensure they communicate properly. There have been times when they had to switch and move one of the wolves if they were not bonding well.

The employees allowed me to take photos of the land and the wolves' habitats. I took photos of them eating, socializing, and resting. It was a challenge to get these photos because the wolves were afraid of us. We try to stay away from wolves as much as possible to avoid domesticating them. The owner of the sanctuary, Filipa, said they keep the wolves away from human contact as much as possible in order to respect and preserve the wolves' nature.

Later on, I interviewed the workers about wolf conservation efforts. I asked them, if there was anything unique about wolf centers in Portugal compared to America. I asked them if they had suggestions to improve conservation efforts outside the sanctuary with farmers etc... I wanted to know how America can improve their animal protection rights and make amends with farmers who deal with livestock loss. Filipa told me Group Lobo has a Guard Dog program that trains farm dogs to protect livestock. This center is located further up in the mountains in Portugal. Dogs are donated to farmers who are less experienced and will be trained by the program to help reduce friction between farmers and wolves.

Working with other volunteers and seeing the wolves was a blessing and a great opportunity for me and my dreams. Not only did I see wolves, but I got to explore Lisbon too! I went to a tile museum, sunset sailing and got to meet new people from all over the world. After all the work, sitting outside with the sun beaming, the amount of times I walked up the tall hill over and over again to feed the wolves, after all the little struggles.

It was all worth it and I hope you all enjoy my photos and will see me at the show.

Thank you SUNY Oneonta and Tyler Fellow