Division of Environmental Education

 

Mission Statement

"To promote understanding, appreciation, and stewardship

 of Fairmount Park and our total environment.

 From neighborhood to region to world, 

our actions impact our environment and 

our environment impacts our quality of life."

 

 

 

Heading off to a project in Fisher Park, Environmental Educator Rebecca Ewing (far left), stops to pose with students that participate in the After School Program.

 

GOALS

  • To increase the number of individuals who use, explore and appreciate Fairmount Park.

  • To increase the cultural, racial, geographic and economic diversity of Fairmount Park users.

  • To increase public understanding of ecological concepts such as watersheds, habitats and food webs.

  • To identify the relationship between human activities and natural ecosystems.

  • To involve Park visitors in service projects, which benefit the environment.

  • To develop team building, problem solving and self-esteem in program participants.

  • To create and implement curricula which address local and national goals for environmental education.

  • To develop partnerships with organizations whose goals complement those of Fairmount Park.

  • To promote interest in and access to careers in environmental science and related fields.

  • To highlight similarities between Fairmount Park issues, regional issues and global issues.

  • To increase positive action taken on behalf of Fairmount Park and our total environment.

  • To sustain the Park’s long-range environmental education efforts.

 

       Fairmount Park's Division of Environmental Education offers a variety of experiences for children, adults, families and the general public. Programs highlight natural history and the connection between people and their surroundings. Working towards this goal, learners are exposed to biological concepts such as habitats, biodiversity, food webs and ecosystems. In addition, they exercise skills including problem-solving, cooperation and address academic standards in science, math, history, social studies, ecology and the environment. Many become actively involved in Park restoration projects such as invasive plant  removal, trail maintenance and streambank stabilization. Ultimately, participants understand how they impact their environment and how the environment impacts their quality of life. 


        Fairmount Park has three environmental centers and an educational working farm:  Wissahickon Environmental Center at the Andorra Natural Area, Pennypack Environmental Center, Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Education Center and Fox Chase Farm.  Working with the existing centers and staff, meeting with community and academic representatives, consulting with scientists and educators, and offering summer, after-school, school-day, service-learning and public programs all contribute to the ongoing process of the program.

 

The newly opened Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Education Center

Wissahickon Environmental Center at the Andorra Natural Area

Pennypack Environmental Center

 

Fairmount Park's Division of Environmental Education offers:

 

  • Large public festivals including Sheep Shearing, Maple Sugaring, Apple Fest and Family Farm Day.

  • Intimate public programs such as birding workshops, meadow walks, full moon hikes and winter tree identification. 

  • On-site field experiences which investigate natural cycles, forest ecology, environmental issues, animal adaptations, watersheds and more.

  • Outreach programs to schools and youth groups on topics such as trash, careers in science, natural lands restoration and watersheds.

  • After-School Programs which combine environmental content and hands-on activities with field work and restoration projects.

  • Volunteer, restoration and service-learning opportunities.

  • Summer camp adventures for groups and individuals.

  • Additional services such as teacher training, birding resources and curriculum consultation.

  • Informational materials such as trail maps,  public program calendars, tee shirts and bird seed.

 

For More Information:

 


Division of Environmental Education 

Debbie Carr, Director
Memorial Hall, West Park
PO Box 21601
Philadelphia, PA 19131
Phone: (215) 685-0217
Fax: (215) 685-0280

Email: debbie.carr@phila.gov


Wissahickon Environmental Center
at the Andorra Natural Area

Marie Tramontina, Environmental Educator
Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215) 685-9285
Fax: (215) 685-9268


 Pennypack Environmental Center

Peter Kurtz, Nature Specialist

8600A Verree Road
Philadelphia, PA 19115
(215) 685-0470
Fax: (215) 685-0469

 

Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Education Center

Alan Fastman, Executive Director
4601 Market Street

2nd Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19139

(215) 471-2223

Fax: (215) 471-2231

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