The Zoo-wide celebration will include earth-friendly crafts, an endangered species scavenger hunt, a rock climbing wall, animal enrichment activities, zookeeper talks, exhibits by local conservation groups and special visits by Smokey Bear and the Rainforest Café tree frog mascot Cha!Cha!.  Presentations of “Getting Excited About Earth Day” with Steve Belliveau will be held at the Ford Education Center Theater at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The Southeastern Oakland County Water Authority (SOCWA) will give composting demonstrations at the Backyards for Wildlife area of the Zoo, developed to demonstrate to visitors how to make their urban, suburban and rural backyards more conducive habitats for wildlife.

A Green Games Gallery will be hosted by the Detroit Zoo’s own conservation group, the Green Team, including games using recycled materials, storytelling and educational displays.  The Green Team was launched in 2002 to help minimize the ecological “footprint” of Zoo operations and to educate staff and visitors about choices that reduce harmful impact on the environment. 

All Earth Day activities are free with regular Zoo admission.

The Detroit Zoological Society is a non-profit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo.  Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits, the Detroit Zoo is located at the intersection of Ten Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, just off I-696, in Royal Oak.  The Detroit Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October – with extended hours until 8 p.m. Wednesdays during July and August – and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March.  Admission is $11 for adults 13 to 61, $9 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $7 for children ages 2 to 12; children under 2 are free.  For more information, call (248) 541-5717 or visit www.detroitzoo.org.  The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round and provides educational programming with interpretive staff support from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks.  For more information, call (313) 852-4056. 
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