“We are thrilled that the buildOn group chose the Detroit Zoo for its community service project and appreciate the teens spending their Saturday to help spruce up the grounds for our busy summer season,” said Detroit Zoological Society Executive Director Ron Kagan.
 
In addition to spreading mulch, the teens will clean up around the National Amphibian Conservation Center, Backyards for Wildlife and other areas and help build piñatas for animal enrichment.  When the work is done, the group will have the opportunity to visit with the animals and spend time in the Ford Education Center learning about the Zoo’s conservation and environmental initiatives. 

buildOn is a non-profit organization that provides in-class and after-school programs for U.S. high school students.  In addition, buildOn works to build schools and bring literacy to children and adults in developing countries around the world.  The Detroit metro area is one of six U.S. regions operating the buildOn program.

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 (open at 9 a.m. May 1 through Labor Day) – 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 15 to 61, $9 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $7 for children ages 2 to 14; 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.  Admission is free.  For more information, call (313) 852-4056. 
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