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Zoos lack funds to inspire Obama's future scientists

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-02-04 11:43

The wildlife school is one of 20 themed academies created to replace underperforming schools in New York. It has close links to the nearby Bronx Zoo and offers children twice the normal amount of science classes, focusing on conservation.

WALL STREET FALLOUT

But New York State, facing a $15.4 billion budget gap, is proposing to eliminate the $9 million it gives 76 zoos, aquariums and botanical gardens next year.

The governor had also proposed cutting the funding by 55 percent this year, but that is expected to be rejected by state legislators this week after intense lobbying by zoos.

Jeffrey Gordon, budget spokesman for the governor's office, said the cut was one of many difficult choices, including cuts in spending on healthcare, education and economic development.

"New York depends very heavily on Wall Street for its revenues," he said, pointing to the sharp fall in tax revenues as the financial sector has been rocked by crisis.

Steven Sanderson, president of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) that runs four New York zoos and an aquarium, said state funding of around $3 million for WCS facilities was "modest but really important," particularly for educational activities such as the partnership with the Urban Assembly wildlife school.

"People don't take seriously enough the out-of-classroom science education opportunity," Sanderson said.

Around 2 million children and students visit the five WCS facilities each year and 70,000 conduct formal educational programs. The WCS also trains 2,000 public school teachers a year.

Sanderson said he has to cut $15 million from the $100 million budget that covers the century-old Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium in Brooklyn, as well as WCS administration.

Unguided school visits are free and more formal programs have fees that start around $200, which covers only part of the cost. Sara Hobel, head of WCS education, said as school budgets are cut, they will struggle to pay even those fees.

KEY MOMENTS

Philip Bell, associate professor of learning sciences at the University of Washington and co-chair of the National Academy report on informal learning, said an early interest in science often translates into further study.

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