Louisville Zoo plans “Party for the Planet!” April 6-13

Come celebrate the arrival of spring with a special “Party for the Planet!” at the Louisville Zoo. Sponsored by Coca-Cola with additional support from Toyota Georgetown and KAIRE (Kentuckiana Air Education), the week-long celebration April 6-April 13 will educate visitors on caring for our planet through environmental displays, activities and presentations. One can learn how to build a toad abode (toad home), get up-close and personal with some of our outreach animals and dig in the dirt while learning about the importance of earthworms!

Visitors can also meet and have their photo taken with Wade, Alden, Skye and Tanya—the Louisville Zoo’s famous Backyard Action Hero crew on April 6-12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on April 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A Backyard Action Hero is a child who is cares for wildlife and habitats in his/her own backyard and in other parts of the world and is ready to take action to help protect them. Wade, Alden, Skye and Tanya are dedicated to using their unique talents and interests to help plants and animals, and as a result, each has developed a super power. To read more about and meet this crew, visit http://www.louisvillezoo.org/BAH/index.htm. Also be sure to pick up a free copy of the 2008 Backyard Action Hero guidebook at Toyota’s booth.

“Party for the Planet!” is part of a nationwide celebration with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to help visitors discover ways to connect to the local environment and make a collective difference in conservation on a national and global level.

Visitors are invited to bring their old cell phones to the Zoo to be recycled. The Louisville Zoo was recently listed as the No. 1 zoo in the United States for cell phone recycling efforts in 2007, and each cell phone recycled helps save gorillas! (For more information, visit http://www.louisvillezoo.org/news/press/MR/MR%2008-01-17%20cell.htm). Cell phones can be dropped off at the designated ECO-CELL donation receptacle at the Zoo’s entrance.

The Zoo also encourages guests to ride TARC to the “Party for the Planet!” celebration to help protect the environment. For a list of TARC’s buses and schedules, visit http://www.ridetarc.org.

 

DETAILED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS APRIL 6-13

April 6-12

• Meet the Louisville Zoo’s Backyard Action Hero crew on the Plaza from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for cool games, prizes and music. Be sure to pick up a free copy of the 2008 Backyard Action Hero guidebook at Toyota’s booth.

• Zoo Docents will also be on hand with fascinating biofacts and maybe a few animals as well!

 

April 6 – 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• The Red Cross Bloodmobile will be here for those who may want to use this opportunity to donate blood. 

 

April 13 – Eco-Exhibitor Day  – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• Conservation stations and eco-partner Booths

  • Visit the four conservation station areas and check out displays by our   eco-friendly partners like:

    • Atherton High School Marine Biology club

    • Berhneim Forest

    • Jefferson County Soil & Water Conservation District

    • Kentuckiana Air Education program (KAIRE)

    • Kentucky Natural Lands Trust

    • Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission

    • Louisville Metro Community Action Partnership

    • Louisville Metro Department of Public Health & Wellness Division of Environmental Health & Protection

    • MSD

    • National City

    • Olmsted Parks Conservancy

    • Riverworks Discovery/American Commercial Lines

    • Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc.

    • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

    • And more …

 

• Each of the four conservation station areas will have a fun activity and tips on things one can do at home to help protect the planet!

  • Station 1: Water Conservation.

    • Meet the Backyard Action Hero crew while playing the Backyard Action Hero Stream Clean Game with solar powered boats and also learn about the water cycle and the importance of keeping our waters clean.

  • Station 2: Clean air/Clean energy.

    • Learn how to create wind power and use that energy to create light! Check out the hybrid Toyota Camry and find out more about the importance of clean air.

    • Pick up a free tire gauge from KAIRE. Having the correct tire pressure saves gas and in turn, saves the air. Also sign up for the KAIRE Network to receive regular e-newsletters and quality air alerts.

  • Station 3: Loving the Land.

    • Dig in and get dirty learning about the importance of earthworms! One can also participate in a seed planting demonstration or learn how to create compost.

  • Station 4: Animal Action.

    • Touch, look, and listen to some of our very own Zoo animals up close and personal. Learn ways to create back yard animal homes and take home instruction sheets on how to build a toad abode (toad home), bat box, bird house, butterfly box or bug box.

• Animal Enrichment Activities

  • Enjoy watching some of our wonderful animals interact with specially prepared “toys” and “treats.” These enrichment activities are designed to stimulate the animals and give them some unusual and fun things to do!

 

“Party for the Planet!” is presented by Coca-Cola with additional support by Toyota Georgetown (Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky) and KAIRE (Kentuckiana Air Education program).

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The Louisville Zoo, a non-profit organization and state zoo of Kentucky, is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the American Association of Museums (AAM) and by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). For more information, visit www.louisvillezoo.org.

((EDITOR’S NOTE:  More photos are available upon request.))

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