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More Than a Vacation

How One Retiree Found Purpose and Adventure with ��������

Why hands-on science travel became the highlight of Judy’s retirement—and how it could transform yours.

When Judy Wieske retired at age 55 after a 37-year career as a visual information specialist for the federal government, she knew exactly what she wanted to do next: see the world. But not just as a tourist. Inspired by a friend’s �������� expedition, Judy dreamed of traveling with purpose—to places she’d never imagined visiting, and in service of something bigger than herself.

In 2012, Judy joined her first �������� expedition in Namibia, where she worked alongside scientists to study and conserve wild cheetahs. “I fell in love with Africa on that trip,” she said. “It was my first time seeing a lion in the wild, and a herd of elephants.” She spent hours observing animals at a watering hole, quietly watching as wildebeest, zebras, and other animals took their turn.

But it wasn’t just the wildlife that captivated her. As she helped monitor animal behavior, track cheetahs’ movements and ecology, and support local education programs, Judy realized she was part of something essential. “The scientists didn’t have enough people to do the work,” she said.

That feeling stuck with her and inspired many more journeys. Since that first trip, Judy has joined 16 �������� expeditions across the globe: tracking sharks in Belize and Florida, protecting leatherback sea turtles in Costa Rica, and restoring coral reefs in Bali. For Judy, these weren’t just bucket-list adventures. They were immersive, hands-on, and meaningful experiences that redefined her retirement, as well as her relationship with the planet.

They were immersive, hands-on, and meaningful experiences that redefined her retirement, as well as her relationship with the planet.

A FAMILY AFFAIR

Judy also saw �������� as a way to deepen family connections. Inspired by an aunt-niece duo on an �������� team in Costa Rica, she invited her niece, Mary, to join her on an expedition. In 2014, over Christmas, the two returned to Costa Rica to help protect leatherback sea turtles.

“We spent Christmas at the sea turtle hatchery under the stars,” she said. “It was the first time I saw bioluminescence. You’d step in the sand, and the light would just shoot out from under your feet.”

That magical moment marked the beginning of a shared passion. While Judy and Mary had always been close, their �������� experience brought them even closer. “It was an additional bonding thing that made our relationship even better,” she said.

Since then, Judy and Mary have joined six expeditions together—from Australia to Belize—many focused on coral reefs.

“Mary’s a water lover,” Judy said. “She wants to see all the reefs before they disappear.”