The Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Education Center, Inc. (CCCEEC)’s mission is to operate a premier urban environmental education center in Southwest and West Philadelphia that embraces and educates people of diverse backgrounds to understand and appreciate the important role the environment plays in our lives. Additionally, CCCEEC’s mission is to play a primary role in strengthening environmental education in urban schools through hands-on activities, research, and teacher training, and to establish programs that offer career pathways to green collar jobs and green careers.

CCCEEC,s goals are to preserve the quality of life for residents living in the Cobbs Creek area of Philadelphia through the establishment of a center that educates and informs people about issues affecting their environment. CCCEEC is situated in an historic building in the midst of the Cobbs Creek Watershed surrounded by Cobbs Creek, an amphitheater with seating capacity for seventy-five, three urban gardens, a wetland, three trails and a meadow, that make CCCEEC a natural laboratory for teaching hands-on science, the flagship environmental center in the Fairmount Park system for visitors and tourists who desire to experience a touch of tranquility in a dynamic urban environment, for the residents of Cobbs Creek to bike, hike, and picnic, and the place where one can not only experience the environment, but learn a sense of responsibility to protect and care for the environment through personal stewardship.

History:

In November of 1991, the West Philadelphia community convened at a town watch meeting to discuss the future of the abandoned stable at 63rd and Catharine Streets. The Fairmount Park Commission was eager to involve the community and allowed the community to determine the fate of the abandoned stable. The community decided to convert the dilapidated stable into an environmental education center. Mrs. Carole Williams-Green assembled a steering committee, comprised of dedicated volunteers from community, government, and businesses. Thus began the legacy of the Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Education Center, Incorporated. What began as an abandoned stable mushroomed into a state-of-the-art environmental education center. CCCEEC today is an historic building with meeting rooms, classrooms, administrative offices, science laboratories, eat-in kitchen, elevator, and exhibition space.

The building’s location in the stream valley, well removed from the busy streets nearby, provides an idyllic setting for the pursuit of environmental education.

Located in West and Southwest Philadelphia, the Cobbs Creek runs the boundary of Philadelphia and Delaware counties and is surrounded on both sides by the Cobbs Creek Park section of the Fairmount Park system. Geographically, the boundaries of the Cobbs Creek neighborhood are Market Street to the North, Baltimore Avenue to the South, 52nd Street to the East and 63rd Street to the West.

This section of Philadelphia has much historical significance as the home of the country’s first watermill, a site of early American Revolution battles, residence of the renowned botanist, John Bartram, and the resting site for Betsey Ross. In addition to the Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Education Center and Cobbs Creek Park, the community is the gateway to Philadelphia’s oldest gold course, a recreation center, and skating rink.

Mrs. Carole Williams-Green

Sharon Williams-Losier, President
Elmore R. Hunter, Vice President & Treasurer

Mr. Bernard Brown
Mr. J.H. Chitwood, Chairperson, Property
Ms. Jane Gamal-Eldin, Chairperson, Education
Mrs. Carole Williams-Green
Mr. Elmore R. Hunter, Vice President & Treasurer
Ms. Sharon Williams-Losier,ESQ, President
Dr. Lawrence Robinson
Hon. John M. Younge

Mr. John Brown

Shirley Caldwell
J.H. Chitwood
Thelma Frazier
Carole Williams-Green
Fred Lewis
Ethel Malone
Ruth Moses
Tina Pace
Betty Reavis
Mary Washington
Reina Williams

Dr. Beatrice Mickey

Frank Canty, ESQ

Jackie B. Williams, President
Kathleen Williams, Secretary
Dollie Cumber, Treasurer

Staff:

Anthony Croasdale, Program Coordinator
Dustan Howell. Administrative Assistant
Donna Frye, Accounts Manager
Daniel Rogers, Caretaker
Dottie Baumgarten, Environmental Educator, Philadelphia Water Department
Daniel Rogers, Caretaker

Partners Patrons and Supporters:

*The Academy of Natural Sciences
* The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
* The Community College of Philadelphia
* Communities In Schools of Philadelphia, Inc.
* Darby Creek - Cobbs Creek Watershed Partnership
* Department of Environmental Protection
* Department of Parks & Recreation
* Environmental Protection Agency
* Fairmount Park Commission
* Greater Philadelphia Interfaith Center
* Greater Philadelphia Cares
* Home Depot
* The Lomax Family Foundation
* The Pennsylvania Environmental Council
* The Pennsylvania State University
* The Philadelphia Zoo
* The Philadelphia Water Department
* The University of Pennsylvania
* The Verizon Foundation


Membership and Donations:

Memberships and donations help to defray the cost of basic operating expenses as well as supporting CCCEEC’s educational program and public education outreach.  CCCEEC publishes a newsletter.  Members receive the newsletter publication.  Members receive a discount and/ or free admission to events, depending on the nature of the event. Memberships and donation are greatly appreciated.  Donations in any amount are welcomed. Upon receipt of a membership fee or donation, a letter of acknowledgement will be sent to the donor.  CCCEC is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation registered as Charitable Organization #14702 with the PA Department of State.  All contributions are tax deductible to the limit allowed by law.  Please consider supporting the work CCCEEC does to conserve and protect the environment in Cobbs Creek Park.

Membership and Donation Form: We are pleased that you want to become a member of CCCEEC, Inc. or make a donation. Print this page and send in your completed form. Your payment is tax deducible to the limit allowed by law.

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