All posts by Kelly Sheard

All Opportunities, Cities, Education, Philadelphia, Sustainability, Urban Farming

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

Updated 10/14/19

Mission:

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) is a nonprofit membership organization founded in 1827. PHS provides events, activities, and publications for gardeners of all levels and interests, with the aim of improving quality of life and creating a  sense of community through horticulture.

Programs/Services Offered:

Though The Philadelphia International Flower Show is the  Society’s most well known project, PHS also manages a variety of programs committed to the greening of Philadelphia for all residents, including:

  • City Harvest, which connects urban farmers and under-served communities,
  • Garden Tenders, a training course for individuals and groups interested in starting urban gardens in Philadelphia,
  • the LandCare Program, a comprehensive approach to managing abandoned urban spaces by creating parks and gardens,
  • Roots to Re-entry, which facilitates the re-entry process of inmates from the Philadelphia Prison System through participation in City Harvest, where individuals obtain  job-skills training and placement assistance,
  • and many more really awesome programs. Explore them all in further detail at https://phsonline.org/programs/.

Student Opportunities:

Students can get involved with PHS in a number of ways.

Volunteers can help out during the annual International Flower Show and other events, plant and maintain trees and gardens, preform administrative tasks, and contribute to outreach efforts. Opportunities are also offered at Meadowbrook Farm, an estate run by PHS, including garden maintenance and guiding tour groups. Visit https://phsonline.org/get-involved/volunteer-opportunities/ for up to date listings and registration.

PHS offers year-round internships with many of its programs. Available position descriptions can be found at https://phsonline.org/about/careers-at-phs/

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
100 N. 20th Street – 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Telephone: 215-988-8800

All Opportunities, Awareness, Education, Gladwyne

Riverbend Environmental Education Center

Updated 10/14/19

Mission:

Situated on 30 acres in Gladwyne, PA, Riverbend Environmental Education Center “teaches environmental principles to children in Southeastern Pennsylvania through a direct connection with nature, inspiring respect for our natural world and action as aware, responsible and caring citizens”.

Services/Programs Provided:

Riverbend offers a variety of programs for the community, including educational programs for K-12 aged youth, summer and year round campus, Scout programs, nature clubs and additional family themed events.

Student Opportunities:

Riverbend relies on the talents and skills of volunteers who contribute to the Center in various ways. Opportunities in the areas of Special Events, Habitat and Facilities, Animal Care, Marketing, Administrative Support, and Education have been available in the past. To learn more and view up to date listings, visit https://riverbendeec.org/how-you-can-help/volunteer. Internships can be found at https://riverbendeec.org/job-opportunities.

Website:  http://www.riverbendeec.org/

Address: 1950 Spring Mill Road, Gladwyne, PA 19035
Phone: 610.527.5234

All Opportunities, Sustainability, Water

Stroud Water Research Center

Updated 10/14/19

Mission:
The mission of Stroud Water Research Center is to advance global knowledge and stewardship of fresh water systems through research and education. The Center seeks to disseminate its research findings to peers in the scientific and educational communities, as well as businesses, landowners, policy makers and individuals in order to enable informed decision making that affects water quality and availability in our local communities and the world around us.

Services/Programs Provided:
Stroud’s applied research projects focus on fresh water, especially river and stream systems.  These projects are undertaken for public agencies and private corporations in an effort to provide solutions to water resource problems throughout the world.

Current and past projects include the Schuylkill River Project, a large-scale assessment of the stream water quality of the Schuylkill River basin conducted through the analysis of the basin’s macroinvertebrates; the Peru Project, an evaluation of samples from 33 river and stream sites in Peru aimed at establishing a baseline of scientific data on stream health and creating inexpensive education programs for the people of the region; and the New York Project, a six-year study to monitor and evaluate water quality and sources of pollution in the streams, rivers, and reservoirs that provide New York City’s drinking water. To learn more, visit http://stroudcenter.org/research/projects/index.shtm.

Student Opportunities:
Students can volunteer or intern at Stroud.

Through their internship program, Stroud Water Research Center offers undergraduate students an opportunity to take part in interdisciplinary research into all aspects of streams, rivers and watersheds. Interns work in the laboratories of senior scientists either as participants in a National Science Foundation funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program or as field and laboratory assistants. Opportunities are available in the fields of Entomology, Organic and Isotope Geochemistry, Ecosystems, and Biogeochemistry.

Volunteers can assist with all sorts of things relating to the day-to-day workings of the Center.

For up-to-date volunteer and internship listings, check http://stroudcenter.org/jobs/index.shtm.

Website: https://stroudcenter.org/

Address: 970 Spencer Road, Avondale, PA 19311 USA
Phone: 610.268.2153

All Opportunities, Awareness, Conservation, Education, Endangered Species, Philadelphia

Philadelphia Zoo

Updated 10/14/19

Mission:

The Philadelphia Zoo, the first of its kind in the U.S., aims to advance discovery, understanding and stewardship of the natural world through exhibition and interpretation of living animals and plants. An accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Philadelphia Zoo has a reputation for excellence in conservation and scientific research.

Programs/Services Offered:

The Philadelphia Zoo curates a diverse range of living creatures, leads endangered species conservation and research projects, and also enables the public to experience the great diversity of nature.  Many educational programs for kids, families and adults including classes, workshops, seminars and camps are offered.

Student Opportunities:

Bryn Mawr students have been involved with the Philadelphia Zoo in a number of ways, including Praxis III courses, volunteer work, and internships. To learn more about structuring a Praxis III course, contact Nell Anderson, the Civic Engagement Office Praxis Coordinator, at nanderso@brynmawr.edu.

As volunteers, students have the opportunity to work with a variety of programs, depending on the needs of the Zoo at any given time. These programs include AFZ Camera Club, Conservation Stewards, Camp Counselors (March- May), Zoo Docents, and many others. Current information is available at http://www.philadelphiazoo.org/participate/Volunteer/Adults.htm. Potential volunteers must submit an online application and pass Criminal Background, Child Abuse and FBI Background checks. Contact the Civic Engagement Office for help with this process.

Internships in areas including animal care, conservation, zoo administration, and development are regularly offered. Check out http://www.philadelphiazoo.org/Get-Involved/Volunteer/Career-Internships.aspx for current openings, position descriptions, requirements, and applications. You can also call 215-243-5200 or email zoointerns@phillyzoo.org for more information.

Address: 3400 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104-1196
Phone: 215-243-1100

All Opportunities, Awareness, Conservation, Education

Harriton House

Updated: 10/14/19

Mission:

Harriton House is a historical site and local cultural gem, dating back to 1704. This site and adjoining land was the home of Charles Thompson, the first and only Secretary to the Continental and Confederation Congresses. Harriton House is surrounded by a park, gardens and a stream, in addition to a site apiary and a thriving bee keeping program.

 

Programs/Services Offered

Harriton House offers instructional tours of the site for groups on a daily basis. They also host a wide variety of camps for children and educational programs for adults, including visiting lecturers and opportunities to learn beekeeping, woodturning and blacksmithing.

 

Student Opportunities:

There are opportunities for volunteers in areas of building maintenance, assisting in group tours, and helping with educational programming. Those interested in learning more about Harriton House should contact Curator Bruce Gill or Assistant Kayla Block at (610) 525-0201 or info@harritonhouse.org.

Address: 500 Harrition Road, P.O. Box 1364, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Phone: 610.525.0201

Website: http://www.harritonhouse.org/

All Opportunities, Awareness, Conservation, Education

The Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University

Updated 10/14/19

Mission:

Founded in 1812, the Academy of Natural Sciences is America’s oldest natural history museum and a world leader in biodiversity and environmental research. The mission of the Academy is to encourage and cultivate the sciences, explore the remarkable diversity of the natural world, and share these discoveries with the public through innovative exhibits, publications, and educational programming.

Programs/Services Offered

The Academy of Natural Sciences offers educational programs, camps, workshops and exhibits for visitors of all ages, including  the annual George Washington Carver Science Fair and the Women in Natural Sciences Enrichment Program.

The Academy also encompasses the Center for Environmental Policy (CEP),  a key player in the environmental and sustainability community of the greater Philadelphia region. Bringing together scientists, policy makers, and the general public around issues of critical environmental importance, the CEP provides non-partisan, science-based information on key environmental issues, promotes solutions, and builds awareness. The CEP offers regular public programs held at the Academy on relevant topics, and also serves as a logistical hub for local working groups organized around sustainability issues.

Student Opportunities:

The Academy of Natural Sciences offers both volunteer and internship opportunities.

Volunteers can serve as exhibit guides, research assistants, or can help in the  live animal center and children’s summer camp. Browse current listings at http://www.ansp.org/get-involved/volunteer.

The Academy regularly offers internships related to exhibition development and management, as well as opportunities to take part in scientific research (see http://www.ansp.org/research/fellowships-endowments/research-internships/).

Address: 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 299-1000