PHENND Fellows: Phila Zoo Neighborhood Conservation Coord.

As America¿s first Zoo, the Philadelphia Zoo has been a pioneer in animal care and conservation for over a century. Home to more than 1,900 rare and endangered animals, the Zoo continues to reach new heights, offer award-winning animal exhibits, education and conservation programs, state-of-the-art healthcare facilities, and exceptional guest services while uniquely housed in the West Philadelphia community situated nearby Fairmount Park and many prominent local cultural institutions. For years the Zoo has organically and strategically partnered with neighborhood organizations on local conservation efforts, economic mobility efforts, shared sustainable practices and collaboratively advanced entrepreneurial projects directly on site at the Zoo. Additionally, the Zoo has positioned their Community Access Program to ease and increase access to the Zoo for its nearest neighbors. The Zoo¿s immediate neighborhoods¿Mantua, Belmont, Parkside and Brewerytown ¿ are among the most challenged by socio-economic conditions. Poverty in Philadelphia remains among the highest of major U.S. cities at 26 percent¿but in our surrounding communities, the poverty rate is a staggering 45%. Accessibility for our nearest neighbors is one of the Zoo¿s top priorities. While the Zoo supports and funds efforts on several continents, we must also uplift and acknowledge our own backyard. Strategies to achieve this include co-designed and co-led community specific programming and conservation efforts, partnerships increasing job opportunities and entrepreneurial efforts, and additional collective impact as identified with neighborhood partners.

This project is a part of the PHENND Fellows VISTA program housed at the Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND). PHENND is a network of over 25 colleges and universities that strengthens service-learning, civic engagement, and community partnership in Philadelphia.