Seneca Park Zoo Teen Program Earned Top Honors
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums recognized the Rochester institution for its exceptional volunteer initiative.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Wildlife
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The Association of Zoos and Aquariums has honored the Seneca Park Zoo for its long-running ZooTeen volunteer program. The award highlights the program's success in engaging students in wildlife education and public outreach.
Why it matters
The recognition underscores the impact of structured youth volunteerism in fostering public interest in conservation and wildlife education. It highlights how student involvement can effectively bridge the gap between scientific institutions and the local community.
Established in 1993, the ZooTeen program has facilitated over 600,000 interactions between students and visitors. The opportunity is available to Rochester students ranging from seventh to 12th grade.
The players
Seneca Park Zoo
Located in Rochester, this facility provides educational programs and wildlife conservation efforts.
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
This professional organization accredits zoos and aquariums and promotes excellence in animal care and public education.
The details
Students gain professional experience in public speaking and wildlife education by completing an application, interview, and training process. During the summer months, these participants actively engage with zoo visitors to share information about animals.
Timeline
The ZooTeen program was established in 1993.
ZooTeens recorded 600,000 visitor interactions over the last eight years.
Culture Shift
This award highlights a growing focus on structured youth development within modern conservation institutions. It reflects a shift toward using student volunteers to increase accessibility and engagement within the broader science communication landscape.
Rochester families and students can utilize this program to gain hands-on career experience in wildlife science and education. Parents and students interested in volunteering should monitor the zoo's portal for upcoming application and training windows.
The takeaway
This recognition proves that long-term student volunteer programs can significantly amplify the educational reach of local wildlife institutions. Interested students should seek out early training opportunities to prepare for the annual application process.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts by visiting the Wildlife section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WHAM.
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