Greenwich Academy establishes partnership with the LEO Zoological Conservation Center, opening the door to educational and research opportunities for GA students.
he Group III girls did not expect their Ms. Leone works closely with the GA STEM team to ensure study of vertebrates to bring them indelible educational opportunities that enhance classroom face to face with African penguins, conservation studies and independent projects. “The fervor Rothschild’s giraffes, and white-handed and enthusiasm of these amazing students were evident gibbons—and they certainly didn’t with their knowledge of vertebrates! They were so quick expect to find those animals right here to ask questions and answer mine. Our center can act as a in Greenwich! Yet it was this unforgettable experience that living laboratory to empower and drive GA girls to become helped crystallize and enhance their classroom learning and future stewards of wildlife conservation. It’s an honor to brought to life the plight of the world’s endangered species. influence these bright young girls, and my hope is that Thanks to a new partnership between GA and the LEO this experience can make a difference for the future of our Zoological Conservation Center (LEOZCC), made possible natural world,” said Ms. Leone. through a gift from Sonnet and Ian Through collaborative programs, McKinnon P ’21, GA students’ awareGA students are learning about global ness and understanding of wildlife problems that drive extinction, such as conservation have been heightened habitat loss, fragmentation (causing a in a way only possible through such lack of genetic diversity), climate hands-on interactions. change, pet trade, and human-wildlife LEOZCC is a nonprofit accredited conflict. They will witness firsthand off-exhibit breeding facility dedicated the center’s efforts to stem the tide of to species threatened with extinction, animal extinction through its breeding Upper School biology teacher Dr. Charles Alt, scientific conservation-based research programs to reintroduce endangered Laura Bautista-Borrero, and Wellsley Lowther observing an endangered three-banded armadillo in conjunction with major universities species back into the wild and collective and zoological researchers, rescue zoological breeding programs. work, and the education of future conservationists. A highlight for LEOZCC this spring was the birth of Artie, Committed to “saving the animals of today for the an endangered orangutan, whose arrival was greeted by people of tomorrow,” LEOZCC founder, director, and GA cheers from the international wildlife community as he was past parent Marcella Leone feels strongly that children and the first birth through Assisted Reproduction Technology for young adults need to be ambassadors for their wild cousins. this species (hence ARTie). The center, located on a 100-acre
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