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Urban areas are widely known for their vitality and culture and increasingly for their value to resident and transient wildlife. More >

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Although the United States imports less palm oil than other countries such as the United Kingdom and China, that is about to change dramatically.
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Habitat restoration efforts are at the heart of many Philadelphia Zoo conservation projects and the role kids play in their implementation is often critical. Dwindling populations of Rodrigues fruit bats have recovered significantly on their native Island thanks in part to restoration projects conducted by Rodriguan school children.

In Brazil, 50,000 trees are being planted to create a forest corridor that will connect fragmented populations of golden lion tamarins; close to 50,000 privately held acres of prime jaguar habitat have been identified as critical to the expansion of an existing jaguar refuge in northern Mexico and in Borneo, the Elephant Conservation Unit (ECU) has found the extreme fragmentation and size reduction of the forests of the Lower Kinabatangan River region to be the underlying cause of human-elephant conflicts in the area. According to ECU, re-establishing a contiguous and larger forest corridor along the river is necessary to secure a future for pygmy elephants and to preserve the natural resources found in the area. All three of these initiatives rely not only on sound science to accomplish their goals, but also on local community support and stewardship.

Of course exotic islands and remote rainforests are not the only habitats in need of restoration; urban areas such as city parks and neighborhoods can also provide valuable sources of food and shelter to wildlife.

The Philadelphia Zoo's awarding winning Junior Zoo Apprentice Program (JZAP) is designed to offer opportunities and experiences to inner-city kids between the ages of 14 and 18 that will expose them to the natural world and instill a deeper connection with wildlife and the environment. Integrated Zoo work experiences, monthly workshops, mentoring, day trips and off-site projects combine to raise awareness and build an understanding in JZAP participants of the importance of environmental stewardship.

For four years, JZAPs have taken great pride in removing invasive plants and non-native trees and vines along the man-made ponds and lawn edges in Fairmount Park. In addition to plant removal, JZAPs have also planted native trees to replace degraded Park habitat. Beyond the City limits, they have worked to restore habitat in the Pocono region by installing erosion bars along an old logging trail and cutting down invasive trees in an area that was experiencing a decline in the natural bird population. Habitat restoration has become central to JZAP conservation activities and the fruits of their labor are frequently woven into the Zoo's educational programming. Finding ways to share this expertise with others has also been key.

Participation in ProjectFeeder Watch, a winter-long survey of birds that visit feeders at backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales in North America, is one example of how JZAPs are gaining expertise that will allow them to advocate for wildlife and conservation action. To expand their hands-on work with these kinds of urban conservation activities, JZAPs will soon receive training on urban/community gardening and backyard wildlife habitat creation. Once trained, they will be available to mentor other Zoo volunteers and summer camp students on the importance of creating and protecting habitat for birds and other urban wildlife. Through their growing connections with nature, JZAPs are learning, and teaching others, that conservation begins at home.

Thanks to the Independence Foundation for their generous support of Wildlife Matters.