About the Course
Become educated, entertained, and empowered to become more effective stewards of the natural world. Through real-life conservation stories—drawn from the instructor’s personal experiences and her time as host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom—we will highlight the impact of passionate individuals working together to address complex environmental challenges. This course explores how diverse perspectives and unique skills contribute to conservation efforts, offering participants practical ways to take meaningful action in protecting wildlife and ecosystems.
MY WILD LIFE- Hear Stephanie’s exciting journey through Africa, Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Hawai’i before winning a contest to become Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom’s Wild Guide and the wild stories she showcased in the show from 2013 to 2018.
STEM careers
Travel
Conservation success stories
Wild Kingdom show
Perseverance and resilience
Curiosity
SAVING PENGUINS- This class highlights a team of diverse and multi-talented conservationists developing and deploying artificial penguin nests to save African penguins. The presentation will highlight the complexity of saving penguins, challenge the audience’s critical thinking skills, and promote environmental stewardship. This penguin story full of wildlife heroes will inspire and encourage you.
Penguin conservation
Climate change
Failing forward
Teamwork
REWILDING RHINOS- Learn about the “biggest conservation project in the continent’s history.” Stephanie will help the audience understand the complex issue of protecting and conserving rhinos, followed by the risky plan to dehorn and re-wild 2000 wild rhinos over the next ten years in different homes around Africa. In August 2025, Steph will share her role in this unique and vital project alongside researchers, rangers, and veterinarians.
Conservation medicine
STEM careers
Poaching
Bold decisions
SEEDS OF CHANGE- The summer of 2024, Steph worked on a mission with Seeds of Change Research to immerse American high school students in original research experiments that ignited a passion for science. By digging up leaf-cutter ant colonies and studying local butterflies with leading local scientists, students can make discoveries that help solve critical issues facing humanity (like anti-microbial resistance).
Conservation research
Health discoveries
Creating future scientists
TINY HOUSE LIVING Have you ever lived in 180 sq.ft. Stephanie did this for five years, challenging herself to live, work, and play more sustainably. Hear what she learned from living tiny (it won’t be what you expect). She will share funny stories, insightful wisdom, and practical ways you, as a consumer, can drive positive change within local and global economies.
Sustainability
Creative conservation education
BE THE CHANGE- This last class will focus on local conservation issues and success stories involving pollinators, wolves, black-footed ferrets, and bison. It’s easy to respond to a conservation-related problem in another country from the comfort of your computer keyboard, but what else can we do to walk our talk and make more impactful changes for local species in our community or backyard?
Endangered Species Act
Local challenges and effective advocacy