Zoo's Teen Conservation Training Program Garners $78,780 from Two Connecticut Foundations

11/6/2008

BRIDGEPORT, CONN.—November 6, 2008—Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, the state's only zoo, is pleased to announce that two Connecticut foundations have donated a total of $78,780 over four years. The Charter Oak Challenge Foundation has pledged $10,000 over four (4) years and the Fairfield County Community Foundation has awarded $38,780 to the zoo this year. The funding from both foundations will support the Zoo's newly launched "Conservation Discovery Corps (CDC)," which offers teens aged 14 - 17 the opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge about animal conservation and environmental careers while enhancing the visitor experience at the Zoo.

"Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is grateful to the Charter Oak Challenge Foundation and the Fairfield County Community Foundation for recognizing the value of this important youth training program," stated Zoo Director Gregg Dancho. "Their support of our Conservation Discovery Corps will help us to ignite interest in the next generation of scientists and educators."

Open to high school students from Bridgeport, Fairfield, Milford, Monroe, Shelton, Stratford and Trumbull, students participating in the CDC spend the first half of the program in classroom training, where they obtain an inside perspective on the Zoo and its animals, gain experience in environmental education and animal husbandry, and develop skills in public speaking, leadership and teamwork. Once they have completed their training, they must dedicate a minimum of 10 days throughout the summer to serve as interpretive Zoo educators for Zoo visitors. Students also have to commit to attending six (6) conservation field expeditions during the summer.

"We are pleased to support such an outstanding program, introducing students from the Bridgeport area to conservation, service learning and leadership," shared Andy Boas, president, Charter Oak Challenge Foundation.

This is the Conservation Discovery Corps' first year in operation at Beardsley Zoo and is modeled after successful programs at other accredited zoos, including the Roger Williams Park & Zoo in Providence, RI and the New England Zoo in Boston, MA. The field work is a component that Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo added to complement the core CDC education and training components. In partnership with regional nonprofit conservation organizations, Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo education staff shows students how to collect the information needed to begin addressing many of the environmental issues that confront society today. Expeditions have included fish surveys at the Maritime Aquarium, a Citizen Amphibian Monitoring Program (CAMP) with the Roger Williams Park & Zoo, and salt water marsh restoration exercises with the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, among others.

"The Fairfield County Community Foundation supports opportunities for youth to learn and grow in programs that present high quality content and exceptional experiences," said Susan Ross, president and CEO of the Fairfield County Community Foundation. "We supported the Conservation Discovery Corps because it meets these criteria, and because it teaches youth how to become leaders in the critical areas of conservation and the environment.

High school students living in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Milford, Monroe, Shelton, Stratford and Trumbull who are interested in the program must fill out an application with a letter of interest and a letter of reference. The deadline for Summer 2009 applications is March 7, 2009. Zoo staff will select 40-50 program participants. A $40 program fee will help defray the cost of materials and two CDC t-shirt uniforms. Scholarships may be available to cover this cost. Applications and scholarship information may be obtained from the Zoo's Education Department, (203) 394-6563.

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About Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo: Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo features 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species. Visitors won't want to miss our Amur (Siberian) tiger, Andean condor, Ocelot, Red wolf, Andean (spectacled) bear, Maned wolf, and Golden lion tamarin. Other highlights include our South American rainforest with free-flight aviary, the prairie dog exhibit with "pop-up" viewing areas, the New England Farmyard with goats, cows, pigs, sheep and other barnyard critters, plus the hoofstock trail featuring bison, pronghorn, deer and more. Visitors can grab a bite at the Peacock Café, eat in the Picnic Grove, and enjoy a ride on our colorful carousel. For more information, visit http://www.beardsleyzoo.org.

About The Charter Oak Challenge Foundation: The Charter Oak Challenge Foundation was founded in 2001 to help children and families who have the ability to succeed but need financial support to realize their potential. Charter Oak has donated more than 5 million since its inception. Charter Oak looks for organizations with proven records of effecting positive change. We research only those places we believe in, and that have shown they have successfully achieved their missions but need financial support to grow. Charter Oak seeks to fund initiatives over time to ensure the growth of promising organizations and continuing support from the community. We remain in close contact with recipient organizations long after we approve their grant requests because we know giving means much more than writing checks. For more information, visit http://www.charteroakfoundation.org.

About The Fairfield County Community Foundation: The Fairfield County Community Foundation promotes the growth of community and regional philanthropy to improve the quality of life throughout Fairfield County. Individuals, families, corporations and organizations can establish charitable funds and contribute to existing funds. The community foundation also provides philanthropic advisory services and develops and leads initiatives to tackle critical community issues. It is in compliance with the Council on Foundations' national standards for community foundations. The Fairfield County Community Foundation merged with the Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation in January 2008. The merged foundation's net assets approach $150 million. The combined history includes over $90 million in grantmaking to nonprofits in Fairfield County and beyond. For more information, visit http://www.fccfoundation.org.