Ben Block, Environmentalist

Benjamin Block has dedicated his young career to raising awareness and preserving the environment. During his undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland, College Park, Ben earned a Fulbright Fellowship in Peru. In partnership with the Amazon Conservation Association, he joined efforts to protect forests of the Peruvian Amazon threatened by illegal gold miners and loggers. In Peru, Ben also worked to develop educational materials about sustainable business practices.  Ben earned two bachelors degrees from the University of Maryland; a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

After graduating in 2007, he interned with Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW), where he witnessed how policies plant seeds of change in the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency. At PGW, Ben helped thousands of low-income residents reduce their heating bills and improve the safety in their homes. Ben is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration with a Certificate in Public Finance from the University of Pennsylvania.  He received an interest-free loan from the Jerome G. and Annette S. Zimmerman Foundation Fund at Central Scholarship.  We are proud to highlight Ben as April’s Scholar of the Month.