WHEREAS, The Schuylkill Center was founded in 1965 as the first environmental education center in a major American city; and
WHEREAS, The Center has been pioneering environmental education programs throughout these 50 years, engaging millions of Philadelphians, including hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren and thousands of teachers, in hands-on learning; and
WHEREAS, Its environmental art program is the only one of its kind at a North American nature center, with indoor and outdoor exhibitions that spark insight and curiosity while fostering a bond with the natural world; and
WHEREAS, Its Nature Preschool is the first nature-based preschool to open in Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, The Center’s 340 acres of preserved habitats include forests, streams, ponds, and meadows, providing vital ecosystem services to thousands of native plants and animals; and
WHEREAS, Its Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic is the only one of its kind both in the city and in a four-county area, serving thousands of injured, orphaned, and sick animals annually; and
WHEREAS Hundreds of Philadelphians invest tens of thousands of volunteer hours annually in the Schuylkill Center, planting trees and wildflowers, clearing invasive vines, improving habitat, even helping toads cross Roxborough roads on rainy spring nights; and
WHEREAS Every Philadelphian benefits from the oxygen its forest makes, the air pollution its trees filter, the stormwater its preserved land absorbs, and the natural beauty it protects; and
WHEREAS, The Schuylkill Center is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a full year of special events, including burying a time capsule which will be opened at the Center in the year 2040; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby honors and celebrates the 50 year anniversary of the Schyulkill Center for its pioneering environmental education and arts programs located on 340 acres of preserved natural habitat in the 4th Councilmanic District.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to the Schyulkill Center as evidence of the sincere respect and appreciation of this legislative body.
End