Ilona Jurewicz is an educator, conservationist, and former zookeeper dedicated to mitigating the root causes of human-wildlife conflict and the illegal wildlife trade. Her field work in Zambia with Game Rangers International focused on understanding how these challenges impact local communities—particularly women and children—and developing education initiatives that promote coexistence and sustainability. Ilona’s interests include women’s empowerment, youth education, livestock protection programs, and the rehabilitation of former poachers.

Based in Ohio, Ilona currently teaches engineering and applied sciences at Polaris Career Center.  She draws on her background in animal behavior, field ecology, and STEM education to inspire the next generation of problem solvers.   An environmentalist by training, Ilona’s research in environmental chemistry has been published in BIOS: Quarterly Journal of Biology. Her love for the natural world extends beyond the classroom and field, and her lifelong passions for mountaineering and rock climbing have brought her to places like the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro and remote areas of the Swiss Alps. These pursuits reinforce her commitment to conserving the wild places that inspire exploration, resilience, and connection with the environment.