Category Archives: Cities

All Opportunities, Awareness, Cities, Climate, Conservation, Economics, Education, Energy, Field of Interest, Forestry, Pollution, Recycling, Sustainability, Water

PennEnvironment

Updated 10/9/19

Mission:

PennEnvironment is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization focused on issues of special importance to the state of Pennsylvania. A constituent of the national organization Environment America, PennEnvironment works to better the environment through a number of approaches, including the protection of the natural heritage and health of residents, and promotion of sustainable resource exploitation. These goals are accomplished through activism and advocacy, by recruiting citizens,  interacting with the press, and lobbying government at the local, state, and federal level.

Programs/Services Offered:

Current initiatives include the protection of state parks and forests, the conversion of Philadelphia’s Reading Viaduct into an elevated park, and fighting the activities of coal and natural gas corporations in the state. For a complete list and detailed descriptions, see http://www.pennenvironment.org/issues.

Student Opportunities:

Students can get involved with PennEnvironment during both their time at Bryn Mawr and after graduation.

Internships are offered each semester and over the summer. These internships have been structured into Praxis III courses in the past – contact CEO Praxis Coordinator Nell Anderson (nanderso@brynmawr.edu) if interested. For more information and application instructions, visit http://jobs.environmentamerica.org/internship.html.

Fellowships are available to recent college graduates interested in making a two year commitment to environmental advocacy in Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., or 29 other states. Check out http://jobs.environmentamerica.org/fellowship.html for details. If you’re interested in talking with past PennEnvironment fellows, email Nell as well.

PennEnvironment
Philadelphia Office:
1420 Walnut Street, Suite 650
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 732-5897

All Opportunities, Awareness, Camden, NJ, Cities, Education, Health, Recycling, Sustainability, Urban Farming, Water

Center for Environmental Transformation

cfetUpdated 10/9/19

Mission:

Founded by a Roman Catholic community, the Center for Environmental Transformation directs its efforts to all people, particularly those who live in the neighborhood of Waterfront South and the City of Camden, NJ.  The mission of the CFET is to educate people into a more environmentally responsible way of living. They seek to engage in sustainable modes of food production, storm water management, and waste recycling for the benefit of the people of the neighborhood and the residents of the entire city.

IMG_3092-e1415730888652

Services/Programs Offered:

CFET manages urban farms, education and internship programs for grade- and high school children, environmental retreats, and a farmers’ market.
Learn more at: http://www.cfet.org/programs/

Student Opportunities:

On the first Saturday of every month from 9:00 am until noon, volunteers are invited to help out in the CFET’s gardens. Other opportunities include advocacy work, story-telling, cooking, teaching, and a variety of other projects
For more info, visit: http://www.cfet.org/get-involved/

Website: http://www.cfet.org/

Email: info@cfet.org

Address:  1729 Ferry Avenue, Camden, NJ 08104

Phone: (856) 365-8111

 

All Opportunities, Awareness, Cities, Economics, Education, Governance, Philadelphia

Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia

SBN logoUpdated 10/9/19

Mission:

The mission of the Sustainable Business Network is to build a just, green, and thriving economy in the Greater Philadelphia region. The SBN of Greater Philadelphia accomplishes this by educating and growing a broad base of local, independent businesses and educating policymakers and the public.

Service/Programs Offered:

Initiatives include the Buy Local Philly campaign, the Social Venture Institute, and the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Partners program. Through these and other undertakings, SBN works to connect consumers, independent businesses, and policymakers in making environmentally responsible decisions.

Student Opportunities:

Email info@sbnphiladelphia.org with questions about getting involved.

Bryn Mawr students have organized Praxis III courses with the SBN in past years. Contact the Civic Engagement Office for more information.

Website: http://www.sbnphiladelphia.org/

Email: info@sbnphiladelphia.org

Address:2401 Walnut Street, Suite 206, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Phone: 215-922-7400

*This site is accessible via public transportation from the Bryn Mawr campus. Please see transportation reimbursement policy.

 

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

Greensgrow Farms

Updated 10/14/19

Mission:

Founded in 1998, Greensgrow Farms works to “revitalize livable communities through the practice of sustainable entrepreneurial urban agriculture.” Greensgrow Farms operates under the non-profit parent organization Greensgrow Philadelphia Project, taking a multifaceted approach to integrating agriculture into an urban environment.

Services/Programs Offered:

Greensgrow runs a nursery, community-supported agriculture program (CSA), farm stands and various non-profit projects such as food-truck markets in West Philadelphia, a community kitchen that serves as an entrepreneurial incubator for the local food maker industry, and a SNAP specific community supported CSA for 3 months in peak season. Greensgrow adds to its diverse repertoire through short-term projects as well, such as a pop-up garden center in West Philadelphia.

Student Opportunities:

Volunteer opportunities are available sporadically according to the varying needs of Greensgrow’s projects. Follow this link (http://www.greensgrow.org/get-involved/) to view the events calendar, find info about subscribing to the newsletter, or follow Greensgrow on Facebook to hear about opportunities as they arise.

Internships are also offered. Past opportunities have been available in marketing, social media development, and nursery management: http://www.greensgrow.org/get-involved/jobs/.

Greensgrow Farms
2501 E. Cumberland Street
Philadelphia, PA 19125

 

Website: https://www.greensgrow.org/

All Opportunities, Awareness, Cities, Philadelphia

Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society

Updated 10/14/19

Mission:

The Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless, abandoned, and unwanted animals. PAWS is the city’s largest no-kill shelter and operates a high-volume, low-cost clinic serving pet owners and rescue organizations that lack access to affordable basic veterinary care.

Programs/Services Offered:

PAWS provides extensive low-cost vet care, including spay/neuter services and vaccines. Through a system of foster homes and adoption centers, the organization finds homes for thousands of pets that would otherwise stay on the streets or be euthanized.

Student Opportunities:

Volunteer work is available at PAWS’ adoption centers and the Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic, which also operates as a shelter. For further information and the volunteer application, visit http://phillypaws.org/volunteer/.

Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)
Adoption Center:
100 N. 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Ph: 215-238-9901 ext: 30

Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic:
2900 Grays Ferry Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19146
Ph: 215-298-9680 ext: 0

Website: http://phillypaws.org/

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, Cities, Health, Philadelphia, Sustainability

Agatston Urban Nutrition Initiative

Updated 10/14/19

Mission:

The Agatston Urban Nutrition Initiative (AUNI), a program of the Netter Center for Community Partnerships at the University of Pennsylvania, works to engage, educate and empower youth, university students, and community members to promote healthy lifestyles and build a just and sustainable food system. It was created to help build and sustain healthy communities by promoting nutrition education, food access and sovereignty, and physical fitness in West Philadelphia.

Services/Programs Provided:

AUNI’s main goals include the integration of school-day and online nutrition education, increasing access to healthy foods for all community members, increasing opportunities for participation in regular physical activity, and facilitating youth-led organizing, peer education, and internships. AUNI offers hands-on school day, after school, and summer learning opportunities for more than 6,000 students and their families at over 16 Philadelphia public and charter schools. Cooking and gardening clubs and youth-run fruit stands connect school day and after school learning activities for K-12 students, and incorporate the academic work of Penn students and faculty.

Student Opportunities:

Through AUNI, university students volunteer alongside local high school students to fight for access to healthy, sustainable food for residents of West Philadelphia. Opportunities are generally available in community outreach and organizing, tutoring, gardening, construction, and other fields. For specific and up to date listings, check out the volunteer and employment opportunities page at https://www.nettercenter.upenn.edu/get-involved.

Website: https://www.nettercenter.upenn.edu/what-we-do/programs/university-assisted-community-schools/agatston-urban-nutrition-initiative.
Address: St. Leonard’s Court, 3819-33 Chestnut Street, Suite 120, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3171
Phone: (215) 898-1600

All Opportunities, Awareness, Cities, Energy, Philadelphia, Pollution, Sustainability

Next City

Updated on 10/14/19

Mission:

Next City, formerly Next American City, is a non-profit media organization dedicated to connecting cities and informing the people who work to improve them, especially young emerging leaders.

Services/Programs Provided:

Next City provides daily coverage of public policy and current affairs from an urbanist perspective online at http://nextcity.org. In addition to online journalism, the organization produces events including an annual urban leadership conference.

Student Opportunities:

Get published! Next City welcomes stories on issues of urban sustainability that you feel passionate about and have thoroughly researched. For info on where to send pitches, writing samples, op-eds, photographs, illustrations, other art, or proposals for a reporting assignment, visit https://nextcity.org/pitch.

Bryn Mawr students have partnered with Next City on Praxis III courses, and summer internships are regularly offered, with applications opening in March in past years. Contact Nell Anderson (nanderso@brynmawr.edu) regarding Praxis courses, and check the Next City website for current internship listings. Next City also has a searchable national jobs database if you are job-seeking.

Address: 1315 Walnut Street, Suite 902, Philadelphia, PA, 19107
Phone: (215) 546-4128

Email: info@nextcity.org.

All Opportunities, Cities, Economics, Governance, Lansdowne, Sustainability

Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation

Updated 10/14/19

Mission:

The Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), founded in 1998 by residents and business owners in the borough, is dedicated to promoting and sustaining Lansdowne through the encouragement of  investment and business ventures. This town of about 10,000 people is located between Swarthmore and Philadelphia on SEPTA’s R3 line.

Programs/Services Offered:

Lansdowne EDC provides support  to local businesses and encourages economic activity and vitality through programs and events, including neighborhood revitalization efforts and a farmers market. Check the website for a list of all programs: http://lansdownesfuture.org/.

Student Opportunities:

Bryn Mawr students have been involved with Lansdowne EDC in a variety of ways, including Praxis III placements, Effective Grantsmanship projects, and general volunteering. Check their website for an updated calendar of events, and fill out a volunteer interest form at https://lansdownesfuture.org/volunteering/.2

Address: 3 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, PA 19050
Phone:(610) 745-4013