Seneca Park Zoo

The Seneca Park Zoo Society proposes to expand conservation research programming by purchasing 20 new EnivroDNA (eDNA) kits. eDNA is an invaluable tool for conservation that can be used to detect and study the

species in our waterways. Last year, the Zoo’s Urban Ecologists–paid teen interns–studied the ecology of local river otters and the conservation initiatives that successfully reintroduced them to the watersheds of Western New York and the Genesee River, reversing their near-local extinction.

Inspired by these efforts, the ecologists embarked on a research project to observe and document river otters’ current habitats and travel patterns. To achieve this, cameras were deployed around Rochester. However, no

evidence of river otters was seen on our cameras. Therefore, the Ecologists seek to employ another method to study the otters–eDNA kits.

This summer, Urban Ecologists will be tasked with collecting samples of water from local waterways with eDNA kits created specifically to detect river otter DNA.

With YLACES funding, the Seneca Park Zoo Society will purchase 20 eDNA kits at $55 each plus shipping, totaling $1,250 in requested funding.

The activity will benefit the Zoo’s 16 young Urban Ecologists and contribute to research about our local ecosystem. The Urban Ecologist Workforce Development Program, now in its sixth year, trains youth living in

Rochester's urban core to be ambassadors for the urban environment, advocates for their communities, and catalysts for change. The Seneca Park Zoo Society employs up to 16 Urban Ecologists over two years,

during which they learn about core biodiversity and environmental resilience concepts, perform hands-on restoration around the City of Rochester, educate community members through onsite and offsite

outreach activities, and mentor younger students. With more kits, we will have the capacity to invite other interested student researchers to deploy the kits with Urban Ecologists, expanding the impact of the program. Urban Ecologists’ outreach activities reach an estimated 5,000 people each year.

For most of our Urban Ecologists, this will be the first fieldwork and data collection experience. The results of this project will be shared with Zoo guests, community members at local recreation centers, and conservation

partners like the Department of Environmental Conservation. If the study is successful, it could lead to future studies and published research.