WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, Drexel community members, express our support for the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. By signing this petition, you are telling President Merlo to uphold Drexel's commitment to The Academy by protecting its funding, supporting its staff and programs, and preserving its role as a vital educational and research resource for Drexel students and the greater Philadelphia community.

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is a vital resource for Drexel's Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES) students, as well as those in Biology, Engineering, Nursing, and History. They provide these students with experiential learning that is integral to the Drexel experience - the museum directly finances BEES internships and supports student-led research. The Academy also provides valuable educational resources used in many Drexel courses. Additionally, many scientists from the Academy are BEES professors! The BEES department hinges on this relationship between the Academy and Drexel - a relationship that is failing.

Drexel's recent low enrollment and federal funding cuts have led to financial hardship and pressured the university to make cutbacks, many of which have greatly impacted the Academy. Many programs have been cancelled, including their summer camp, which has educated hundreds of kids each summer for over 20 years. Museum operating hours have been reduced to 3 days per week, and the museum has lost a majority of its faculty and staff over the last 5 years.

Our museum is a crucial resource for Drexel Students and the greater Philadelphia area. The Academy serves as a hub for environmental education, offering a wide array of programs & events that build connections between its visitors and their local ecosystems as well as global environmental issues.

Become a force for nature:

The upcoming exhibit, titled Botany of Nations, shares Indigenous cultural knowledge about plants collected by Lewis & Clark (plants from the Academy's own Lewis & Clark Herbarium). This exhibit will be open from Mar. 28th, 2026 - Feb. 14, 2027, during which they offer opportunities to learn "how Indigenous land practices and cultural systems surrounding food provide contemporary solutions to today's biodiversity and climate challenges" and "how you can grow heritage plants that foster biodiversity".

An existing exhibit, called Neighborhood Naturalists, continues to educate everyday people to "help scientists track environmental changes and generate data that support scientific research, inform policy, and empower communities to take action". Learn how you can help monitor ecological health and build a stronger connection with the land on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (open until July 12, 2026).

 Check out their upcoming events for more opportunities to learn about the environment!

These educational resources are at stake!