Field Inclusive, Inc.

Experience Reflection: Ana Yoko Ykeuti Meiga

“As an international graduate student, I also recognize how financial barriers can limit access to conferences, professional networks, and opportunities for career development. Support such as the Field Inclusive Travel Award helps reduce these barriers and enables early-career researchers from different backgrounds to participate in conversations that shape the future of conservation.”

BY ANA YOKO YKEUTI MEIGA

Attending the 2026 Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society (TWS) in Des Moines, Iowa, was a meaningful experience as I approached the final stage of my PhD in Interdisciplinary Ecology at the University of Florida. As a Brazilian researcher pursuing my doctoral degree in the United States, I am deeply grateful to Field Inclusive for making this opportunity possible through the 2026 Fall Travel Award. Beyond providing essential financial support, this award allowed me to share my research, strengthen professional connections, and contribute to important conversations about representation, inclusion, and the future of wildlife conservation.

This year’s conference, themed “The Art of Conservation,” highlighted the many ways art, science, and storytelling can come together to inspire conservation action. Throughout the event, I was reminded that effective wildlife conservation requires more than scientific knowledge. It also depends on our ability to communicate, connect with diverse audiences, and inspire people to care about the natural world. Hearing the experiences of conservationists, artists, and researchers reinforced my commitment to making science more accessible and ensuring that different perspectives and experiences are represented in conservation conversations. One particularly inspiring moment was attending the plenary presentation by Dr. Debby Ng, a wildlife ecologist, conservationist, and children’s book author, whose work illustrates how storytelling can help bridge the gap between science and the broader public. I was also fortunate to meet her in person, making this experience even more memorable.

Pictured from left to right: Carlos Hinojosa, Dr. Debby Ng, and Ana Yoko Ykeuti Meiga at The Wildlife Society’s 2026 Annual Conference in Des Moines, Iowa.

One of the highlights of the conference was presenting my doctoral research, “Carrying the Burden: The Role of Parental Care on the Behavior of Giant Anteaters.” My research focuses on understanding how human-modified landscapes and parental care influence the movement and behavior of giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), a vulnerable species native to South America. Sharing this work with the broader wildlife community was an opportunity to communicate my scientific findings but also to draw attention to the conservation challenges facing this remarkable species and its habitat, the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado). As I prepare to complete my PhD, being able to share the results of years of research with fellow scientists and conservation professionals was especially rewarding.

Pictured: Presenting my PhD research, “Carrying the Burden: The Role of Parental Care on the Behavior of Giant Anteaters,” at The Wildlife Society’s 2026 Annual Conference in Des Moines, Iowa.

In addition to presenting my research, the conference offered an important opportunity to engage with the wildlife conservation community through my role as Brazil Engagement Chair of The Wildlife Society’s Latin American and Caribbean Working Group (TWS LAC-WG). One of our group’s goals is to strengthen connections among wildlife professionals and students while increasing the visibility, recognition, and participation of Latin American and Caribbean conservationists within the broader TWS community. Meeting professionals and students in person and sharing our group’s mission reinforced the importance of building a more connected and inclusive conservation community in which knowledge and experiences from different regions are valued and represented.

Pictured: Connecting with wildlife professionals and students at The Wildlife Society’s Latin American and Caribbean Working Group (TWS LAC-WG) table, promoting collaboration and greater representation of Latin American and Caribbean conservationists within the TWS community.

A particularly meaningful experience was participating in an initiative organized by our working group to honor environmental defenders from Latin America and the Caribbean who lost their lives while protecting nature. Because the conference coincided with the Day of the Dead, observed on November 1 and 2, we took this opportunity to remember these individuals and recognize their contributions and sacrifices. For me, this was a powerful reminder that conservation is not only about protecting species and ecosystems but also about recognizing the people and communities who dedicate their lives to this work, often under challenging and dangerous circumstances. Creating space for these stories within an international scientific conference was an important way to bring attention to realities that are not always visible in broader conservation discussions.

Pictured: Altar honoring environmental defenders from Latin America and the Caribbean who lost their lives protecting nature, organized by The Wildlife Society’s Latin American and Caribbean Working Group (TWS LAC-WG) in observance of the Day of the Dead.

These experiences reinforced my belief that advancing wildlife conservation requires both strong scientific research and a commitment to building an inclusive and supportive professional community. As an international graduate student, I also recognize how financial barriers can limit access to conferences, professional networks, and opportunities for career development. Support such as the Field Inclusive Travel Award helps reduce these barriers and enables early-career researchers from different backgrounds to participate in conversations that shape the future of conservation.

As I transition from my doctoral studies to the next stage of my career, I hope to carry these experiences forward by continuing to produce research that informs conservation decisions, fostering collaborations across countries and institutions, and supporting greater representation of Latin American scientists in international conservation spaces.

I am sincerely grateful to Field Inclusive, Lauren D. Pharr, Tracy Aviary for investing in early-career researchers and creating opportunities that extend far beyond attending a conference. This award marked an important milestone in my professional journey and enabled me to contribute to a broader community committed to making wildlife conservation more collaborative, inclusive, and impactful.

Thank you, Field Inclusive, for making this experience possible.