April 15th, 2009
4 – Visit a zoo or aquarium
More than 100 of the country’s best zoos and aquariums are throwing a “Party for the Planet” during the weeks around April 22. According to the nonprofit Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Party for the Planet events will feature environmental education activities, along with animal “encounters.” To find a Party for the Planet near you, visit AZA and see festivities listed by state.
A quick look at the website shows these events:
- Reid Park Zoo in Arizona is holding its Earth Day event on Sunday, April 19, featuring a presentation by a local energy producer, SRP, who will explain the pros of wind energy. Children will be invited to build birdhouses and decorate the recycling barrels used on the zoo grounds.
- Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago will present its fifth annual Science Celebration on April 22. The event showcases student projects, demonstrating how the zoo and the local community work together as a “living laboratory” on the environment. Students will present their projects on conservation.
- New York’s Bronx Zoo will treat kids to eco-friendly games and activities April 25-26. Events will include musical shows and theater and an Earth Expo exhibiting green products and services.
- Denver’s Downtown Aquarium’s Party for the Planet takes place on April 25, featuring local vendors who will offer up conservation ideas for the whole family and interactive activities showing how everyone can make a difference in helping out nature.
- The Los Angeles Zoo will join forces with K-EARTH 101 for their Earth Day Expo 2009, on April 18 and 19. This year’s theme is “Celebrating California Wildlife” and will feature interactive sessions on conservation. Visitors also will meet and learn about California harbor seals, condors, brown pelicans, desert tortoises, Channel Island foxes and bighorn sheep. (Photo credit: El Paso Zoo.)
