Reliance Matrix Team Members Volunteer for the Philadelphia Zoo UNLESS Contest

May 2026

Reliance Matrix team members Margie Simon and Brianne Hoffer, along with Reliance Matrix Foundation Executive Director Tammy Salvadore, recently supported the Philadelphia Zoo UNLESS Contest by serving as independent judges for this year’s student competition. Margie, Brianne, and Tammy are members of the Reliance Matrix Sustainability Committee.

The award-winning UNLESS Contest empowers thousands of K-12 students to take meaningful action for wildlife and the environment. In this year-long, project-based contest, participating students are challenged to explore global and local environmental issues impacting wildlife and to develop creative, real-world solutions. Throughout the program, participating classes engage in conservation education, virtual learning opportunities, and visits to the Zoo where they connect with Zoo professionals and receive guidance on their projects.

This year, nearly 2,000 students across 50 groups participated in the contest, creating innovative solutions, awareness campaigns, and impactful initiatives to support wildlife conservation. Following a thorough review process, the Zoo’s Conservation and Education team selected 20 finalist groups.

The finalists’ projects were then evaluated by a panel of independent judges, including Margie, Brianne, and Tammy, who helped select award recipients across four grade-level categories: K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12.

On May 14, finalists were invited to the Philadelphia Zoo to showcase their projects and received awards recognizing their achievements. Congratulations to all participating students for their dedication to developing real solutions that help protect wildlife and the environment.