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Zoos lack funds to inspire Obama's future scientists

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

Naya Motta, 11, recalls a visit to an anatomical exhibition of human bodies when she was around three, which she says she remembers because she has a photographic memory.

"It showed really interesting parts of the body, I remember that," Motta said on a visit to the American Museum of Natural History's (AMNH) Climate Change exhibition with her class from the Salk School of Science, a public school in Manhattan.

Salk is one of the 30 percent of New York City middle schools enrolled in Urban Advantage, another partnership between schools and scientific institutions. The program trains teachers and gives kids access to zoos, museums and gardens to help them complete a mandatory science project in 8th grade.

Lisa Guggenheim, head of education at the AMNH, said Urban Advantage faced a 20 percent cut in city funding this year, so it can not expand beyond the 25,000 kids it reaches now.

The AMNH's endowment lost around a quarter of its value between June and November, and city funding for its educational activities was cut 39 percent to $2 million this year.

Already eliminated is a program that last year gave training and summer employment to 45 New Yorkers aged 18-21, providing an introduction to a science-related career.

"We have graduates of the program that have gone on to brilliant careers. The majority of the people in the program were young people of color," Guggenheim said.

New York institutions are among the hardest hit but they are not alone. Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo is cutting $1 million from its $21 million budget, the Chicago Tribune reported.

And Paul Boyle, senior vice president of the U.S. Association of Zoos and Aquariums, said many of his 216 members were cutting nonessential costs such as travel and scientific research.

Revenue from ticket sales, however, was generally holding up well because zoos and aquariums offer affordable local entertainment at a time when thrifty families are shunning expensive vacations far from home, he said.

"One of the things that tells us there is important stuff going on, and learning, is that year after year after year, 160 million people come to these institutions," Boyle said.

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