Category Archives: Environmental

Environmental, Philadelphia, Urban Gardening

The Norris Square Neighborhood Project

Updated 10/25/2019

Norris Square Neighborhood Project  (NSNP) is a community-based arts and gardening organization, with a primary focus on youth and Latino Culture. NSNP believes that positive change in the community can happen through focusing on the education and well-being of youth, who have the power to bring that change beyond the program to their peers, friends, and family. NSNP strives to maintain familial-like bonds between staff and community members, giving their program a uniquely intimate setting.

Click here to learn more about the different volunteer opportunities offered at the NSNP. To get started volunteering, email or call Raisa at raisa@myneighborhoodproject.org or 215-634-2227.

The Norris Square Neighborhood Project is located at 2141 North Howard Street Philadelphia PA

Environmental, Philadelphia

The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education

The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education seeks to promote an appreciation and connection between people and the nature around us. The center focuses on Environmental Education for the surrounding community through their four main departments; Education, Land Restoration, Wildlife Rehabilitation, and Environmental Art.

The Center offers a variety of volunteer opportunities working with nature, wildlife, art, and education. For general inquiries, contact Claire Morgan 215-482-7300 ext. 120 or cmorgan@schuylkillcenter.org. For examples of their extensive volunteer programs, check out their job/volunteer page at http://www.schuylkillcenter.org/jobs/

The Schuylkill Center is located at 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road, Philadelphia PA

Environmental, Philadelphia

Fairmont Waterworks Education Center

The Fairmont Waterworks Education Center (FWW) is a National Historic Landmark that sits on the East Bank of the Schuylkill River. FWW stresses the importance of clean waterways and environmental sustainability through educating citizens about Philadelphia’s urban watershed. Additionally, the organization works in collaboration with partners to foster respect and appreciation for the connections between our lives and our environment.

FWW’s Core Values, as stated by their website:

  • “We care about Clean Water for all living things. We recognize that clean water starts with each individual’s actions and we nurture a sense of personal responsibility for the conservation of our watersheds and the health of the planet.
  • We take a Personal Approach to guide visitors in thoughtful exploration of our historic site and to engage their intellect.  Every visitor is warmly greeted and treated with courtesy.
  • We believe that Collaboration is the way to bring creative people, sound science, and great ideas together to cultivate excellence in all we do. We accomplish this by developing Strategic Partnerships with those individuals and groups who share our values and aspirations.
  • We provide Experiential Learning that engages all visitors in understanding the concepts that pervade our messages, programs, and exhibits.  Our approach is both “hands on” and “minds on,” for all audiences, recognizing that people come to us through different “gateways.”
  • We value the History that has shaped our lives, informs our messages, and inspires our future. Our National Historic Landmark setting, exhibits, and programs celebrate Philadelphia’s past and the engineering marvel that was and is the Fairmount Water Works.
  • We care about Our People, value their individual contributions and seek to attract and retain the very best staff, volunteers, and advisors.”

If you are interested in volunteering at FWW, call 215-685-0723

Fairmont Waterworks Education Center is located at 640 Waterworks Drive Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19130

Environmental, Gladwyne

Riverbend Environmental Education Center

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”. Learn more at  http://www.riverbendeec.org/.

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 or contact Jeanne Angell at (610) 527-5234 ext. 110, or jangell@riverbendeec.org.

 

Riverbend Environmental Education Center
1950 Spring Mill Road
Gladwyne, PA 19035
Phone: 610.527.5234
Fax: 610.527.1161

Environmental

Bartram’s Garden

Mission:

Situated on the banks of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Bartram’s Garden is best known as the home, farm, and garden of John Bartram (1699-1777), America’s first naturalist botanist and plant explorer. The non-profit John Bartram Association, in collaboration with the City of Philadelphia, seeks to preserve the historical legacy of the site while making a meaningful impact on the surrounding community and promoting environmentally responsible practices.

Programs/Services Offered:

The Gardens serve as a host site for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Roots to Re-entry program; offer educational programing and workshops for visitors of all ages; include a section of the Schuylkill River Trail; and house  the John Bowman Bartram Special Collections Library, which curates the writings, genealogical information, books, and photographs by and about the Bartrams and their garden.

Student Opportunities:

Bartram’s Gardens host public volunteer days on the second Saturday of each month from March to October, 9 am to noon. Preregistration is necessary. Special events for volunteers and opportunities in the nursery and store also occur regularly. For upcoming events and registration, visit http://www.bartramsgarden.org/volunteer/.

Bartram’s Garden
54th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19143
215.729.5281

Environmental, Radnor

Radnor Middle School Watershed Program

Mission:

Watershed is an Integrated Learning Program for Seventh Graders at the Radnor Middle School in Wayne, Pennsylvania. The nationally and internationally recognized Watershed Program was founded  in 1987, and for twenty- four years, Watershed has been a yearlong full day program, which has replaced the traditional 7th grade curriculum. Skills and concepts are integrated around the comprehensive study of a local watershed through a combination of classroom activities and site visits.  A heterogeneous mix of twenty boys and twenty girls are admitted each year through a lottery process. Students are encouraged to gather, retain, interrelate, apply and communicate first hand information about watersheds with special emphasis on what it means to live sustainably in the 21st century.

Student Opportunities:

Bryn Mawr students have partnered with the Radnor Middle School Watershed Program on Praxis III courses in the past. Contact the Bryn Mawr Civic Engagement Office for more information, or contact Watershed program coordinators Jon Savitch (jon.savitch@rtsd.org) and Banny Ackerman (banny.ackerman@rtsd.org).

Phone: 610-386-6300 x7210

Website: http://www.rtsd.org/Page/4725

Camden, Environmental, Urban

Center for Environmental Transformation

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.

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/

CFET
1729 Ferry Avenue
Camden, NJ 08104
(856) 365-8111
info@cfet.org

Environmental, Musuem Education, Science, STEM

The Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University

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.

To apply, submit an application form and select Internship Program under Assignment Preference. For additional information contact the Volunteer Services Department at 215-299-1029 or volunteers@ansp.org.

The Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 299-1000