Safari Magazine: Going Green by The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium

SAFARI GOING GREEN

The Official Magazine of the Toledo Zoo

Volume 29 |

Issue 1

Spring 2020

WELCOME LETTER The color green is associated with a lot of things and meanings. Green means go. Dollar bills are called greenbacks. A green thumb is good at gardening. The color green is associated with luck, envy and jealousy. The green room is where performers go to relax before an appearance. Green is abundant in the natural world, whether it be plants or animals. It is a familiar color that appears everywhere in our daily lives, sometimes to relax and renew, other times as camouflage and still others to promote and unite causes. Read on to learn more about being green in color and in practice, seeing green and much more. We hope you will join us in our

Cover photo: Galapagos Tortoise

ever-growing efforts to create a greener world. In the words of a famous green promoter, Kermit the Frog, it’s not easy being green!

JEFF SAILER President & CEO, Toledo Zoo & Aquarium

FEBRUARY 7–23

An accredited member of World Association of Zoos and Aquariums | W A Z A United for Conservation

EDITORS: JEFF SAILER & SHAYLA MORIARTY WRITER: KIM HADDIX DESIGNER: ANN KINSMAN PHOTOGRAPHER: COREY WYCKOFF PRINTER: HOMEWOOD PRESS Safari is published quarterly by the Toledo Zoo, P.O. Box 140130, Toledo, OH 43614-0130. Second-class postage paid at Toledo, Ohio and at additional mailing offices. Printed on recycled paper. ©2020 by Toledo Zoo.

Safari Magazine • Spring 2020

MAKING A DIFFERENCE WITH MERCHANDISE with SONYA GARCIA, director of retail operations, and Zoo Merchandise team

CONTACT INFORMATION

Contact the editor at 419-385-5721, ext. 2145 or kim.haddix@toledozoo.org

True North: This family-owned business produces high quality insulated stainless steel products, including water bottles, tumblers and straws. Garcia worked out an agreement with the company for them to donate 75 cents per straw purchase to the Zoo’s Conservation Today Fund.

Sincerely,

Safari is an exclusive benefit to Toledo Zoo members. Membership also includes free, unlimited, year-round admission and parking during regular Zoo hours; a subscription to the Zoo’s e-newsletter; early access to Summer Concert Series tickets; discounts on Zoo merchandise, classes, programs and more; and discounted admission to 150+ zoos and aquariums nationwide. toledozoo.org/membership

2 Hippo Way • P.O. Box 140130 Toledo, Ohio 43614-0130 419-385-5721

and returning a portion of each item sold to a community education fund.

Stories & Species of the Victorian Era

As we hope you have picked up on, conservation is a park of our mission and we work very hard to walk the walk and talk the talk throughout Zoo grounds. One more example is with our merchandise offerings. To paraphrase an age-old saying… the proof is in the purchase!

Simply Southern Clothing: According to their website, this company aims to create quality, affordable products that make people smile and help the less fortunate. They have a save the turtles t-shirt that helps support the Turtle Conservation Fund.

“I am a firm believer in supporting our community, other communities and the environment. I keep those beliefs at the forefront when selecting merchandise to sell in our gift shops,” said director of retail operations, Sonya Garcia.

Naked Bee Lotion: The tagline for this line of lotion and skin care products is “All the good stuff, none of the bad stuff.” In addition to utilizing natural ingredients and passing on chemicals and animal testing, this organization provides wildflower seed packets with each purchase to help increase pollinator habitat.

If you are like Garcia and prefer to supportive shop, here are 10 items found throughout the Zoo just for you: Tervis tumblers and mugs: This is an American company that makes drinkware, including stainless steel tumblers, water bottles and more. They even create custom cups, some with recycled materials, with proceeds supporting efforts such as protecting our oceans, cancer research, pet adoption and more.

Chala Handbags: Five percent of the annual net profits of this just-the-right-amount-of-whimsy fashion handbag line supports Heart and Home Animal Rescue Foundation. Vive Bien Knit Hats: This company, whose name literally means live better, is a fair trade business that supports artisans in Ecuador by purchasing hand-crafted knit hats

Ornaments for Orphans: During the holiday season, we sell hand-made ornaments from this fair trade company. According to their website, the company is a fair trade social enterprise that provides critical support through the form of reliable income to orphans in Africa. Snow Leopard Trust: We purchase snow leopard products directly from the Snow Leopard Conservation Fund to support additional research and conservation for this amazing cat. 4Ocean: Every bracelet purchased from this company started by two surfing and diving loving friends funds the removal of one pound of trash from the oceans and coastlines. Green Toys: This company lives up to its name by utilizing responsible packaging and utilizing recycled plastics to make their toys. These are just a few of the items that help us help others. As you shop around the Zoo, read tags and ask associates for additional and new items to add to your supportive shopping list. Photos by: Anna Breier

TOLEDOZOO.ORG/ORCHIDSHOW Safari Magazine • Spring 2020

GREEN ANIMALS GREEN MAMBA

Here are just a few of the green animals found across the world that are on exhibit at Your Zoo. What other green animals can you think of?

GREEN SEA TURTLE

Green sea turtles are named for the color of their fat, not their skin or shell. They are herbivores that eat sea grasses and algae, can weigh up to 700 pounds and live more than 80 years. After making their initial journey into the water, sea turtles usually only touch land again to nest. Green sea turtles have a smooth, heart-shaped shell or carapace that can be five feet in length. All species of sea turtles are threatened by boat propeller accidents, by-catch, human encroachment on nesting grounds and being hunted for their meat and eggs.

Two-toed sloth

LINNE’S TWO-TOED SLOTH

Two-toed sloths are native to the rain forests of Central and South America. They are about two feet long and weigh around 17 pounds. With their powerful grip and long claws, sloths are perfectly built for life in the treetops. Sloths hang for most of the lives, even while sleeping, eating, mating and giving birth. Sloths move so slowly

that algae can grow on their fur, turning it a greenish color and acting as a form of camouflage. Besides being slow, sloths sleep between 15 and 20 hours a day. Even when they are not asleep, they are often motionless and silent. Interestingly, while they are superb climbers, sloths are clumsy and vulnerable on the ground, yet their long arms make them good swimmers!

ALLEN’S SWAMP MONKEY

Allen’s swamp monkeys are native to the swamps and lowland forests of west central Africa, specifically the Congo basin to western Zaire. Swamp monkeys have a stockier build than most primates, standing 18-20 inches tall and weighing six to 13 pounds, with males being much larger than females. The Swamp monkey’s Latin name refers to their coloring with “nigro” meaning black and “viridis” meaning green. Swamp monkeys live near water sources, with their webbed fingers and toes making them good swimmers. They even swim to escape predation from raptors, snakes and bonobos. The species is listed as near threatened due to being hunted for bushmeat.

Green mamba’s scientific name (Dendroaspis angusticeps) means tree snake with a long, narrow head in ancient Greek. Green mambas, like their name implies, are bright almost neon green snakes that average six to seven feet in length. These snakes are fairly common in their native range of Tanzania, Zimbabwe and southern Africa. Additionally, these venomous creatures are arboreal, meaning they live in trees. They occasionally descend to the ground to forage, drink and sun, but quickly retreat to higher ground. Green mambas hatch from eggs being a blue green color and get greener with each skin shedding. They are the smallest of the four species of mambas and prey on small mammals, birds, eggs and rodents. These snakes are known to strike quickly (they can move as fast as 7 miles per hour) and bite multiple times, injecting large amounts of venom into their prey.

GREEN ANACONDA

Green anaconda are the largest snake in the world, weighing up to 550 pounds, and measuring 17-30 feet in length and 12 inches in diameter. As their name suggests, they are green with black patches on their back. Interestingly, the scales on the underside of a Green anaconda’s tail have a pattern unique to each individual snake. They live in the swamps of South America’s tropical rainforests and feed on wild pigs, deer, birds, turtles and even jaguars. They ambush their prey, either clutching it in their jaws and submerging in water to drown or coiling around and squeezing until blood flow stops and it suffocates.

Green mamba

Allen‘s swamp monkey

EMERALD STARLING

This bird, native to the open savannas and woodlands of west Africa, gets its name from its iridescent green feathers. Emerald Starlings are about seven inches long and have purple markings on their belly and around their eyes. They live in flocks up to 20 birds strong, nest on a pad of green leaves in small holes in tree stumps and both parents help to raise young. This species eats insects it either catches in flight or digs out of the ground. Starlings are preyed upon by raptors, snakes and humans to keep and trade as pets.

Emerald Starling

TOLEDOZOO.ORG/ANIMALS

Green sea turtle

Safari Magazine • Spring 2020

BE GREEN...ER

with Anne Overly, great apes keeper

Working with endangered species at a conservation organization, our keepers are keenly aware of the impact humans and our activities are having on the natural world. Many of our staff members model green practices in their daily lives that are certainly worth emulating, not only to protect species and spaces, but our entire planet! “My best advice is to find your gateway product. For me, it was reusable grocery bags. Once I realized the sheer volume of plastic bags that were accumulating in my house, I purchased reusable bags and kept them in my car for even the last minute trip to the grocery. Now, I don’t have to worry about that plastic anymore. That small step lead to keeping bamboo utensils and a metal drinking straw in my purse and evaluating what other small changes I could make. I found out they not only benefit the environment, but my bank account too… and who doesn’t want to do that,” said Anne Overly, great apes keeper. Here are a few more tips, swap outs and small changes Overly has implemented that can have a huge impact on our environment:

RECYCLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND CELL PHONES Orangutan

Coltan, a mineral that is destructively mined in central Africa- the heart of gorilla range- is found in most current

electronics. Help protect gorilla habitat and decrease the need for new Coltan by recycling electronics for used parts. Phones can be dropped off in the Zoo’s Terracycle bins.

PURCHASE PRODUCTS WITH SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED PALM OIL

Palm oil is a cash crop grown in Indonesia, home to orangutans, sun bears and much more. It is found in 50% of items on grocery store shelves, everything from makeup to candy. Supporting sustainable practices is possible, where a ban on the oil is not, as it would simply shift the geographic region of concern and cause other negative environmental impacts. Download the Sustainable Palm Oil Shopping app created by Cheyenne Mountain Zoo at Google Play or the Apple Store to determine which products are sustainably produced.

SWITCH TO BAMBOO-BASED PRODUCTS

USE OLD SHIRTS, BED SHEETS AND TOWELS AS CLEANING RAGS

Rip t-shirts/undershirts, worn out sheets and towels into strips and use them as dust rags, to clean up spills, scrub soap scum, wash the car and much more.

“It is about looking at ways to mitigate our impact but maintain the quality of life we enjoy.” SWITCH TO WOOL DRYER BALLS

Instead of chemical fabric softener or disposable dryer sheets, switch to eco-friendly and long-lasting wool dryer balls. In addition to the production reduction, wool dryer balls help your dryer operate more efficiently. You can dip in water to help reduce static cling and add essential oils if you miss the fresh scents.

PACK SMART

Do you pack a lunch for work or school? Portion your items in reusable containers. There are many non-plastic options that are still microwave safe. Additionally, when you go out to eat, keep a reusable container in your purse or in the car to utilize instead of plastic or Styrofoam take-out boxes.

INVEST IN A REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE

Purchasing a reusable water bottle not only cuts down on plastic usage and litter, but also energy use as doublewalled steel bottles keep beverages hot or cold for an entire day without refrigeration or re-heating. TOLEDOZOO.ORG/SUSTAINABLITY

Bamboo is actually a grass that thrives in warmer climates. As it re-grows quickly, utilizing it to make paper products is much more sustainable than logging. Look for bamboo toilet paper, (Overly suggests Who Gives a Crap brand) facial tissues, napkins and paper towels. “I just noticed that Bounty has a bamboo towel available in local grocery stores. Companies are consumer driven, so the more we purchase, the more they will make!”

Right: Native prairie in full bloom on the Anthony Wayne Trail.

Safari Magazine • Spring 2020

Cats and many nocturnal species can see better in the dark than humans, thanks to the tapetum lucidum. This layer of tissue located behind the retina reflects light back through the retina thus brightening and sharpening the focus of what it is seeing. It is also what creates eye shine in animals! Dogs have a more limited form of color vision than humans. They cannot see a difference in red and green. Additionally, bright lights cause dogs vision to blur. However, their eye placement provides a wider field of vision than ours. Pit vipers utilize their pit organs (specialized sensory organs on their face) to “see” heat from the environment or prey. Amur Tiger

SEEING GREEN ... VISIONS OF COLOR

with Kent Bekker, chief mission officer Humans have three different types of cones in our eyes that respond to and blend three different colors of lightblue, green and red- but we are unique in this ability. Most animals have only two pigment cones and most nonmammals have only one, meaning they see in black and white. “We as humans don’t always appreciate that animals do not see what and how we can. Some see what we can and others what we cannot,” stated Kent Bekker, chief mission officer. Read on to learn the whole spectrum of color vision in animals!

Raptors and some reptiles can see ultraviolet light, or wavelength of light we cannot perceive, making them able to see prey activity on the ground by urine trails, as urine reflects UV light! Some lemurs can make out colors even in complete darkness.

TERRACYCLING with Bill Davis, DIRECTOR OF VOLUNTEERS TerraCycle is an international program whose mission is to eliminate the idea of waste by recycling the nonrecyclable. As stated on terracycle.com, whether it is potato chips bags from your kitchen, toothpaste tubes from your bathroom or pens from your workplace, TerraCycle can collect and recycle almost any form of waste. A generous sponsorship from First Solar helped expand the Zoo’s TerraCycle program beyond internal collections of chip bags and juice pouches from Snoozes and open it to the public in 2017. Participation is quite simple: • Visit Toledozoo.org/gogreen for the complete and ever-growing list of recyclable items • Put recyclables in a bag, box or container (no need to sort) • Drop them off at the collection bins at both of the Zoo’s entrances

Our process works like this: • Zoo volunteers, specifically a dedicated group of ZOOTeens, remove the items from the bins and hand sort • Once a box full of one particular item is collected- for example, 40 pounds of chip bags- it is shipped with a label from TerraCycle (and most without cost) via UPS to its respective recycling center • Most shipments gain the Zoo points that can be redeemed to cover the cost of recycling additional items that are not free.

With your help, we hope to not only eliminate waste in our households and help establish life-long conservation ethics, but also to help beautify our community for all generations to enjoy!

TOGETHER WE HAVE TERRACYCLED: 115,418 CHIP BAGS 111,242 ENERGY BAR WRAPPERS 96,067 DRINK POUCHES 90,100 CIGARETTE BUTTS

Results: As director of volunteers, Bill Davis, recalled: “When we first started collecting Terracycle, the donations just trickled in. By the end of the second year, though, the program had collected 100,000 items. Now, the program has individual collections that have eclipsed that 100k mark! In 2018, we made 93 shipments and this past year we sent 125. 2019 was the biggest year yet of our efforts, collecting over 300,000 items and bringing the overall TerraCycle program total to just over 960,000 items collected.”

Ants, bees, crickets, mayflies and other insects can see polarized light, or light waves in which the vibrations occur in a single plane, and use it for navigation and to detect water. Polar bears have a third eyelid, nictitating membrane, that helps filter UV light to prevent snow blindness. Birds can see millions of different hues, as they have colored retinal filters and many species have a fourth type of color receptor. Color us impressed.

Ring-tailed lemur

Safari Magazine • Spring 2020

MAKING A GREENER ZOO

Switching to compact T-12 florescent tube lights in herpetology exhibits, as they provide more beneficial UV light/heat to help animals process calcium and maintain overall health at a lower wattage and cost.

with Cindy Kreider, mammal biologist & Green Team leader The mission of the Toledo Zoo is to inspire others to join us in caring for animals and conserving the natural world. In the past 20 years, we have put a significant focus on being eco-friendly, energy efficient and decreasing our carbon footprint. Here’s a quick list of our points of pride:

A green growing roof on the goat barn in Nature’s Neighborhood reduces storm water runoff, cools the building and reduces heat island effect. Using environmentally-friendly cups and plates in concessions areas, including cups made from a corn product that degrades in landfills.

The SolarWalk lining the parking lot sidewalk to the entry plaza, features 1,400 solar panels and produces 104,000 kilowatt hours yearly, reducing carbon dioxide output by 75 metric tons.

Offering reusable souvenir cups with a discount on refills at our concession stands.

The Anthony Wayne Solar Array, a 22-acre brownfield site provides about 15 percent of the Zoo’s energy from 28,170 solar panels.

Providing napkins made from recycled materials. Eliminating the use of single use plastics such as straws and lids.

Planting native prairies throughout grounds and our community to increase biodiversity, provide critical habitat and aid water quality.

Setting up recycling receptacles throughout the park and Terracycle drop off containers in the entry plazas and employee areas.

Piloting a new solar powered damming system in conjunction with UT & UofM in our Anthony Wayne Trail Rain Garden to help the water better penetrate soil and regulate itself based on weather.

Installing LED light bulbs that use less energy than incandescent throughout grounds.

Above: Green-growing roof on the goat barn in Nature's Neighborhood Photo by: Alex Goetz

Upgrading Christmas lights to LED bulbs that use 90% less energy.

Handing out candy made with no or only sustainably produced palm oil during our trick or treat activities.

Selling shade-grown, rainforest friendly coffee at our concession stands.

“This past year we also created a Green Team to continue researching and implementing ways to make our Zoo greener for our animals, staff, visitors and the environment for which we all depend on. Our main goal for last year was to look at everything we were already doing, where we could improve and where we could add on internally. Our aim is zero waste. It is a process, but we are making progress. We hope the community will join our efforts and follow our lead,” said Kreider.

Opting for large pump containers of condiments and coffee creamer instead of single serve packets. Eliminating plastic bags in our gift shops in favor of reusable bags. Purchasing sustainable seafood for catered events.

Above: Native prairies around Zoo grounds

Safari Magazine • Spring 2020

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Director of volunteers Bill Davis with Judith and Joe Conda.

THE CONDA FAMILY Green is said to be the color of luck… Your Zoo, specifically the ZOOTeen program, is lucky to have the support of the Conda Family. Joe, Judith and their daughter Susan, have invested in our teenage volunteer corps and enjoy seeing the payoff for both the Zoo and the teens. “Our family’s philanthropy focus is helping youth navigate their world and as soon as we heard about the amazing ZOOTeen program, we knew it fulfilled all the attributes we want to be involved with. We were absolutely flabbergasted and overwhelmed by everything the program does. It promotes personal and professional development, provides career exploration, maximizes leadership potential, engages the teens in their community and begins to incorporate service and

Safari Magazine • Spring 2020

volunteerism into their lives. We have a huge sense of pride when we see this sea of yellow t-shirts doing such wonderful things” said Judith. “It is much more than just working with animals at the Zoo,” added Joe. “I literally first heard of the ZOOTeen program when I was volunteering in the office next to the ZOOTeen office in the basement of the Museum and asked ‘who

“Our family’s philanthropy focus is helping youth navigate their world and as soon as we heard about the amazing ZOOTeen program, we knew it fulfilled all the attributes we want to be involved with..." is making all that noise?’” laughed Susan. “I have since learned this program is transformative for these children. Being a ZOOTeen provides them a place besides their

home that they can make decisions and make things happen,” she continued. “Not a lot of places have the whole realm of possibilities the Zoo has. It is continually reinventing itself while always remaining a welcoming, non-judgmental place for all to come and enjoy. There is a lot of negative in the world, but there is a lot of positive at the Zoo and especially in the ZOOTeen program. We are continually impressed by the program that provides a continuation of building a full life plan where these teens can be successful and enjoy a life well lived.” We truly are lucky! 13ABC VIGNETTE

Our Development Volunteer of the Year has been a friend of the Zoo for many years. As the Director of Community Relations at Owens-Illinois, she was integral in securing the large capital campaign gift for the Aquarium. However, she supported the Zoo partnership in so many other ways: advocating for a native prairie on O-I property, implementing the Terracycle program on their campus, partnering with the Zoo for Companies for Kids initiatives and promoting monarch sponsorships and releases for O-I employees.

MEMBER PROMOTIONS JANUARY

• Free reusable grocery bag for ﬁrst 20 families each Sat & Sun • $5 off a behind-the-scenes tour • Early bird pricing for Summer camps

FEBRUARY

• 15% off at North Star and Treasure Cove gift shops • $5 off a behind-the-scenes tour

Personally, she has been a member for over 30 years and has supported several of our conservation programs and efforts. Her love of the Zoo runs deep. When she retired, she quickly filled the time in her schedule by joining our Board in February of 2019 and has been a powerful, positive force ever since. So far, this individual has not only volunteered her services and expertise as a Zoo Board member, but she also has assisted with greeting and thanking guests at ZOOtoDO, helped to sign up members at Whirlpool Day, passed out animal crackers at our annual Zoo Friends Night, worked a Little Boo/Pumpkin Path station, served wine at Feast with the Beast and greeted guests at our Volunteer banquet. We are delighted that she is continuing her long-time relationship with the Zoo and taking it to newer and even greater heights. After so many years of supporting the Zoo, we are pleased to show our appreciation to her. Please join us in congratulating our Development Volunteer of the Year: Jennifer Vancil.

MARCH

• Free coffee & tea refills with purchase of a travel mug • $5 off a behind-the-scenes tour March Member Madness: special drawings & prizes for those who visit during the month

APRIL

• Free fountain drink reﬁlls with purchase of a souvenir cup Learn more and see upcoming offers at toledozoo.org/membershipmeansmore

Safari Magazine • Spring 2020

HISTORY OF HORTICULTURE with Nancy Bucher, curator of horticulture

Perhaps the long-lasting and best example of green efforts at the Zoo is found in the aptly named greenhouses of our horticulture department. To learn more about the history of green at the Zoo, we sat down with long-time curator of horticulture, Nancy Bucher, for an oral history. The first greenhouse was built before 1900. Then, in 1904 a conservatory was added to the front of that building and eventually named after Theodore Ziems, the first greenhouse keeper. This building was an attraction at the time for people to come see tropical plants. Greenhouses were becoming a big business locally and throughout the US, as they grew a lot of plants for the increasing in popularity park systems and boulevards.

Above: Garden tour at the conservatory. (2019)

Lantana

Safari Magazine • Spring 2020

The Great Depression hit the greenhouse hard. It fell into disrepair but then the Works Progress Administration came along and demolished the entire building and recreated a new facility on the exact same spot. This is when the lily pond, rose garden and square entrance were added. The Garden Forum and Garden Center, complete with library, were very strong at this time and served as a wonderful resource for local horticulturists. In fact, in 1938 they held a contest to create a plan for a formal garden. A winner was selected, however, the execution of the plan was put on hold due to WWII and did not get completed until 1950. Today’s formal garden still has most of the elements of that original design. We have updated species and made a few cosmetic adjustments, but the concept remained the same.

Cleome

In the late 70s, the Zoo’s long-time horticulturist, Mr. Klinepeter, passed away and the Zoo went without a horticulturist for five years. During his time, the conservatory was full of tropical plants and cacti. He used to white wash every little square window of the building to help regulate the temperature as the building was open to the public and hosted flower shows and events. I started in 1981 when the Zoo was still owned by the city and the greenhouse grew a lot of plants for local parks and gardens. Around that same time, the first levy money helped to renovate the entire conservatory and greenhouse. The building was completely redone, along with the rose garden, edging and brick work. After the renovation, we again started growing tropical plants but also added bedding plants, began plant propagation, starting plants from cuttings and saving seeds. In 1999, the conservatory was renovated and the original Victorian style entrance was restored along with the fret work. Then, in 2010, the greenhouse was again stripped

down and completely redone. (Bucher indicated this action necessary every so often, as the elements take quite a toll on greenhouses.) The new facility is much more energy efficient and technologically up-to-date with environmental controls, yet continues the tradition of growing bananas, tropical plants and succulents. Now, there is always something in bloom and we are always looking to add new and different plants. The horticulture staff is involved with a lot of Zoo projects, including selecting, growing and placing plants in animal exhibits, cutting/collecting/harvesting browse, blooms and veggies for the animals and adding beauty throughout the grounds with our displays. We recently added makeand-take workshops to our repertoire and expanded our garden tour series. The entire Zoo community can be proud of the horticulture history, progress, work and, of course, their green thumbs! TOLEDOZOO.ORG/GARDENS

Left: conservatory in 1905

Safari Magazine • Spring 2020

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Toledo, OH Permit No. 707

P.O. Box 140130 • Toledo, OH 43614-0130 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

| | | | |

January through April Memorial Day to Labor Day Monday-Friday • May & September Weekends • May & September October 1 - November 19

Lights Before Christmas Hours: November 20 - December 31 10 a.m. - 2:59 p.m. | Zoo Daytime hours Sun -Thu 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. | Lights Before Christmas activities Fri & Sat 3 p.m. - 9 p.m. | Lights Before Christmas activities All Lucas County residents receive free Zoo admission every non-holiday Monday 10 a.m. - noon. (Must show valid proof of residency.) The Zoo remains open for one additional hour after gates close to allow visitors to complete their visit. However, many animals may be off exhibit during the last hour.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FEBRUARY 2/7 2/7 2/8 2/11 2/12

Cabin Fever Weekends toledozoo.org/cabinfever Orchid Show opens toledozoo.org/orchidshow Once Upon a Vine toledozoo.org/vine Horticulture Make & Take Workshop toledozoo.org/workshops Garden Tour Series: Greenhouse Tour toledozoo.org/gardens Conservation Series: Native Orchids toledozoo.org/conservation

2/14 2/15 2/17 2/22 2/23 2/24

Valentine’s Day Wine & Dine toledozoo.org/wine Happy Hearts Day toledozoo.org/happyhearts Camp for a Day toledozoo.org/camps Horticulture Make & Take Workshop toledozoo.org/workshops Orchid Show ends toledozoo.org/orchidshow Plant Sale toledozoo.org/orchidshow

MARCH 3/7 3/8 3/14 3/15

Horticulture Make & Take Workshop toledozoo.org/workshops Garden Tour Series: Greenhouse Tour toledozoo.org/gardens Slow Brew at the Zoo Zoomba toledozoo.org/zoomba

3/21 Horticulture Make & Take Workshop toledozoo.org/workshops 3/21 Teddy Bear Care Fair toledozoo.org/teddybear 3/21 Wine Tasting Series: Arctic Encounter toledozoo.org/wine 3/24 – 3/26 Spring Break Camp toledozoo.org/camps

APRIL MAY 16, 2020

TOLEDOZOO.ORG/DARTFROG

4/4 Horticulture Make & Take Workshop toledozoo.org/workshops 4/7 – 4/9 Spring Break Camp toledozoo.org/camps 4/10 Breakfast with the Bunny toledozoo.org/bunny 4/10 Animal Egg Hunt toledozoo.org/egghunt

4/11 Breakfast with the Bunny toledozoo.org/bunny 4/24 Wine Tasting Series: Aquarium toledozoo.org/wine 4/25 Party for the Planet toledozoo.org/planet

For more information about these and other events, visit toledozoo.org/events