Greensboro Science Center: My Why: Leslie Bloch

Press release from the Greensboro Science Center:

August 16, 2021

How does the GSC impact individuals, families and communities? We think it’s best to let YOU answer that question!

Read our Q&A with GSC volunteer Leslie Bloch to learn about what makes the GSC so special to her.

What do you do as a GSC volunteer? I am an Aquarium docent and have helped as an aide for the Nature Tot classes.

How many years have you been a GSC volunteer? 5

Why did you choose to volunteer with us? As a former elem. school teacher, I wanted to work with children (and adults) in a setting which focuses strongly on education and sharing information about animals.

What impact do you hope to have as a GSC volunteer? To foster a respect and awe for animals by sharing specific facts about the species which call GSC their home.

Why is the GSC important to you personally? I consider it both a privilege and true pleasure to volunteer at GSC where the animals are given so much TLC. Additionally, some of the highly endangered species, largely endangered due to acts of humans (like habitat encroachment), are being successfully bred so that they are on this planet a little bit longer.

Why is the GSC important to the community? Selfishly speaking, what a gem of a place to volunteer in my own town! From a financial standpoint, drawing visitors from far and wide is a big plus for local businesses from restaurants to lodgings. For schools and camps in Guilford County, it’s a perfect field trip without losing teaching time to transportation. It’s an ideal place for stay-at-home parents with children to go and take a class or just visit and start learning about animals at an early age. It’s an invaluable resource for students in all grades who are home schooled. The GSC is a place for residents to take friends and family who visit from out of town and give them an indelible experience to treasure from their visit. SKYWILD is also unique and gives guests a different view of the Center’s inhabitants. I have spoken to many young people who fondly recall being a student ambassador ( including my own daughter) at the Center. These reasons and many more which have not yet come to mind make GSC an asset to the community. The sky’s the limit for the Center, which continues to grow by leaps and bounds and makes those of us who live here beam with pride, especially when we bring out-of-towners to see all the astonishing animals and wonderful care they are given, including unique habitats which are constructed specifically according to their comfort and needs. Dr. Sam is so compassionate and skilled and has been accessible to visitors who have questions per medical issues is much appreciated by the community as well. Many busy vets would not take the time and have the patience to address guests’ concerns so that cannot go without saying that he is important to GSC in myriad ways.

If you’d like to share your “Why” and possibly see it shared here, email it to mystory@greensboroscience.org

This press release was produced by the Greensboro Science Center. The views expressed here are the author’s own.