The American Trail Amphitheatre at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo now has built-in sun protection, thanks to a shade structure donation from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). The shade structure, which shades the 250-person seating area at the seal and sea lion exhibit, will protect children and their families each day from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

“The Academy is pleased to donate this shade structure to help protect the public’s health,” said board-certified dermatologist Mark Lebwohl, MD, FAAD, president of the AAD. “Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. This structure will shade zoo visitors from the sun and help educate families about the importance of sun protection.”

Since its inception in 2000, the Shade Structure Grant Program has funded more than 325 shade structure grants, which provide shade for more than half a million individuals each day in parks, playgrounds and other outdoor areas, according to the AAD.

“The Academy’s donation provides our visitors an even ‘cooler’ experience, literally, as they learn about our seals and sea lions and the biodiversity of North America during our educational demonstrations,” said Dennis Kelly, director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. “Protective shade is equally important for our guests as it is for the animals.”

The AAD’s Shade Structure Grant Program is financially supported by the AAD and its members’ contributions. Board-certified dermatologist and Academy secretary-treasurer Suzanne Olbricht, MD, FAAD, played an instrumental role in the AAD’s donation to the National Zoo by organizing a fundraiser for the donation.

“Bringing this shade structure to life was incredibly rewarding,” said Dr. Olbricht, chair of dermatology at a hospital and clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts and associate professor of dermatology, Harvard Medical School. “It’s a wonderful example of how dedicated individuals and organizations can work together to protect families from the sun and teach healthy sun habits.”

The Academy’s Shade Structure Grant Program is part of the Academy’s SPOT Skin Cancer™ campaign to create a world without skin cancer through public awareness, community outreach programs and services, and advocacy that promote the prevention, detection and care of skin cancer.

Visit the SPOT Skin Cancer™ website – www.SpotSkinCancer.org – for more information and to download free educational materials.