Cover Story

VOLUME 7, ISSUE 3       JUNE 2005

Zoo Debut: BINZ
By Kim Sneden, Curator of Education

On April 23, the Detroit Zoological Institute presented an Earth Day gift to the community – the official opening of the Belle Isle Nature Zoo (BINZ.) Mother Nature demonstrated her sense of humor on that day by delivering a snow storm to the metropolitan area. However, despite the weather, over 100 people visited the BINZ on our opening weekend to explore our facility and connect with nature.

The BINZ has been the site of many educational events since the DZI took over its operations. Last summer, nearly 400 children participated at BINZ's Summer Safari Day Camp. It served as the "base camp" for nearly 500 other children that were enrolled in the Detroit Public Schools' Best City Camp. High school students from the Detroit Academy of Environmental Studies (DAES) have used BINZ as a "living classroom" for their formal studies. Throughout the year, the Junior League of Detroit has been offering monthly Saturday programs for families on a variety of topics ranging from weather to wildflowers. The Junior League also created a new event recently – the Belle Isle Fun Run - which generated new funds for BINZ. And last, but not least, the BINZ staff has been providing family programs to targeted community groups.

The BINZ is now open to the general public on weekends from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. It is also available for school field trips or community group experiences during the week by reservation.

Our vision with BINZ is to "Bring the Wilds of Michigan to the Heart of Detroit." We have created a learning environment where visitors can discover some of the amazing creatures that inhabit their own "backyards" – including plants that eat animals and animals that perform "magic." The BINZ currently has three primary visitor experiences. Visitors can hike an "indoor trail" to discover their "wild" backyard neighbors. Our newly renovated auditorium hosts formal presentations and also features themed "Discovery Stations" that allow guests to have hands-on experiences with a variety of biofacts. Visitors can also take a self-guided tour of BINZ grounds using a map developed by our naturalists. Most of the BINZ activities have been created to encourage family and group interactions through the completion of "field guides" or scavenger hunts.

The BINZ will continue to grow and evolve through time as new outdoor exhibits are completed. Currently we have begun planning and site preparations for the creation of a fallow deer exhibit which is scheduled to be completed later this year. Through time we'll all be able to watch as other animal exhibits and the Exploration Lodge and Turtle Conservation Center are built.

How can you get involved? Volunteers are needed for a variety of jobs including gardening, storytelling, supervising craft activities, and assisting visitors with the field guides. All volunteers are invited to attend a special BINZ open house on June 18 at 9:00 am to tour our facility and discover ways to become involved. Please join us on this special day and be sure to RSVP at 313-852-4056 ext. 00. To learn about the public programs offered at the BINZ, visit the Detroit Zoo's web site www.detroitzoo.org. We invite all volunteers and their families to take advantage of the free programs offered.