FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 13, 2022
Detroit
Zoo, Belle Isle Nature Center to Launch Party for the Planet Event
Series
News from the Detroit Zoological
Society
Things
are looking green this spring at the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS).
Across
the globe, organizations and individuals recognize April as Earth
Month, and the DZS is taking part by kicking off its
Party for the Planet series. From April to June, the DZS
will host not one, but four celebrations to honor the earth, promote
sustainable living and encourage guests to make their community a
greener place.
Hosted
in partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and
other AZA-accredited zoos, Party for the Planet aims to
connect families to nature through activities and volunteer
opportunities that improve the planet. With more than 120 participating
zoos and aquariums, Party for the Planet is
poised to be the largest combined Earth Day celebration in North
America.
“We are pleased to celebrate green initiatives here at the Detroit Zoo,” said Stephen Vrla, curator of humane education. “It is important to not only celebrate the good we are doing in sustainability but to also raise awareness about the need to take care of our planet. We must act quickly for the welfare of ourselves, the environment and the animals.”
With
so much excitement surrounding green education, the DZS not only split
the celebration into multiple days but is also spreading Party
for the Planet across multiple campuses. There will be
events taking place at both the Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. 10 Mile Road,
Royal Oak, and the Belle Isle Nature Center, 176 Lakeside Dr., Detroit.
Upcoming
Party for the Planet celebrations at DZS campuses
include:
• Earth Day — April 22, virtual celebration
The
DZS is launching its Party for the Planet series
on Earth Day, which historically focuses on education
surrounding environmental issues and sustainability.
Community
members can tune into Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center social
media channels for a day of virtual learning. DZS education staff will
be posting throughout the day about what individuals and families can
do to take care of the earth and local wildlife.
• Green Day at the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 23
The
festivities will continue in person April 23 at the Detroit Zoo and
Belle Isle Nature Center.
At the Detroit Zoo, learn from Zoo education and animal care staff at specialized “ed-zoo-cation” stations about how blocked storm drains lead to water pollution, participate in a citizen BioBlitz to identify as many species as possible in the Zoo gardens and make wildflower seed balls to create wildlife habitats.
Across
the bridge at the Belle Isle Nature Center, outdoor activities will
abound, including earth-friendly crafts, nature hikes and opportunities
to participate in citizen science initiatives that support clean
waterways. Green Day at the Belle Isle
Nature Center will also feature local conservation specialists, who
will illustrate the benefits of green initiatives through an assortment
of artistic and educational demonstrations.
• Endangered Species Day at the Detroit Zoo — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 20
For Endangered
Species Day, Detroit Zoo staff have put together a day full
of education to engage the public as the DZS and AZA work to save
animals from extinction. Guests can participate to learn what they can
do to help save their favorite animals, from cleaning the environment
to building sustainable habitats.
• World Oceans Day at the Detroit Zoo — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 8
Celebrate
the waters that cover 71 percent of the earth this June on World
Oceans Day. The Detroit Zoo will highlight ocean and water
conservation at specially developed education stations. Zoo staff will
encourage guests to keep waterways clean and connect with nature.
All Party
for the Planet events at the Detroit Zoo are free with Zoo
admission and free to members. Green Day at the Belle Isle
Nature Center is free and open to the general public.
After
Party for the Planet concludes, the celebrations don’t have to stop. Guests can continue the event series’ important work from the comfort of their homes. The AZA and DZS encourage individuals and families to #springintoaction by cleaning up litter and plastics from around their neighborhoods, connecting with nature through community science, planting native flowering plants and creating healthy habitats for local wildlife.
“It’s important we all remain good stewards of the environment 365 days of the year,” Vrla said. “We should always make an effort to reduce, reuse and recycle. Every little bit helps.”
Visit the DZS website to learn more about the DZS’s Green Journey and read the latest news of how two Detroit Zoo
restaurants have been recognized for eco-friendly and sustainable
practices.
Curator
of Humane Education Stephen Vrla will be available for interviews
between 1 and 3 p.m. Friday, April 22.
The Detroit Zoological Society – a renowned leader in humane education, wildlife conservation, animal welfare and environmental sustainability – operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center. With an annual regional economic impact of more than $167 million, the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak is one of Michigan’s largest paid family attractions, hosting more than 1.3 million visitors annually. Its 125 acres of award-winning naturalistic habitats are home to 2,800 animals representing 239 species. The Belle Isle Nature Center sits on a 5-acre site surrounded by undisturbed forested wetlands on Belle Isle State Park in Detroit. For hours, prices, directions and other information, call (248) 541-5717 or visit detroitzoo.org.
|
