Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Philadelphia Zoo Receives Honors For Education Program

CONTACT: Jane Ballentine, (301)562-0777 x252

NEW ORLEANS 22 September 2004 — The American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) today honored the Philadelphia Zoo, with a Significant Achievement Award for the Junior Zoo Apprentice Program. Zoo officials accepted the award at the AZA's 80th Annual Conference, meeting here this week.

The Junior Zoo Apprentice Program (JZAP) was launched in the Spring on 1996 with a grant from YouthAlive!, an initiative of the DeWitt Wallace Reader's Digest Fund. The participants are primarily African-American high school students who are recruited throughout the Philadelphia area. The young people learn concept of biology and conservation, gain job skills and experience and are encouraged to consider a career in the zoos, aquariums, or other scientific fields.

Students begin as volunteers in the children's Zoo, then progress to paid employment in a variety of zoo departments in this four-year work-based learning program. Workshops and field rips are offered throughout the year to enrich the students' experience and expose them to a wide variety of career possibilities.

Travel is an important component of the program. Since 1998, new apprentices have participated in a three-day trip to work alongside of students in a similar program at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island. An African field experience is safari viewing spectacular wildlife, visiting tribal villages, and learning of the threats that face some of the world's most treasured natural resources.

Throughout the program, participants take part in the Diamondback Terrapin Rescue Project. They care for hatchling terrapins (hatched from eggs harvested from road-kill females) until they are large enough to survive on their own. The students and terrapins then journey to the New Jersey shore, where the terrapins are released into the wild.

Each year, AZA recognizes achievement in the area of education by offering competition among its Institution, Related Organization and Society members. Judging is conducted by a panel of individuals selected by the Conservation Education Committee.

The American Zoo and Aquarium Association was founded in 1924 and currently represents 212 accredited zoos and aquariums in North America. AZA's mission is to support membership excellence in conservation, education, science and recreation.

For more information contact Ginette Meluso at 215/243-5205 or Meluso.Ginette@phillyzoo.org.