BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo invites residents to join the Zoo in celebrating with a Party For The Planet, a number of virtual and live activities designed to mark the 51st anniversary of Earth Day. Plans include interpretive talks via Zoom about some of the Zoo’s conservation initiatives, giveaways at the Zoo and an in-person, socially-distanced cleanup in Beardsley Park. Throughout the event, a display of artwork by Sonny Cardinali will be located in the Farmyard. Cardinali makes garden metalworks from discarded objects.
Schedule of Events:
MONDAY, APRIL 12 - CHOOSING SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS FOR YOUR LIFE
Join us on Monday, April 12 at 1:00 PM on Facebook Live and Instagram Live with Zoo Educator Jackie Westlein and Volunteer Gay Gasser about choosing and using sustainable products.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14 - CITY NATURE CHALLENGE WEBINAR
There is nature all around us, even in our cities and backyards! Knowing what species are in our city and where they are helps us study and protect them, but the only way to do that is by all of us – scientists, land managers, and the community – working together to find and document the nature in our area. On April 14th from 7:00-8:00 PM via Zoom, we’ll learn more about the City Nature Challenge and the iNaturalist app with Educator Bridget Cervero from The Maritime Aquarium. Participants will learn how to use the app for a global BioBlitz from April 30 - May 2, 2021.
SATURDAY, APRIL 17 - PARTY FOR THE PLANET GIVEAWAY AT THE ZOO
On April 17, the first 100 families to enter the Zoo will receive a Party for the Planet swag bag featuring the following: a trowel for planting, reusable veg bags, SAFE cards, window clings to deter bird strikes, and more!
SATURDAY, APRIL 17 & SUNDAY, APRIL 18 - BEARDSLEY PARK CLEANUP
Up to 50 individuals each day can sign up to help the Zoo clean up Beardsley Park—socially distanced, of course. We will supply gloves, trash bags, paper pickers and companionship: you bring your energy, face mask and desire to help clean up the earth! Families are welcome. The event takes place from 9:30-12:00 both days. As our thanks for being part of the clean-up crew, everyone who participates can enter the Zoo that day for the discounted price of $9 each. (Regular admission is $16 for adults and $13 for children ages 3-11).
SATURDAY, APRIL 17 – ZOOM CONSERVATION CAREERS WITH JUSTIN VAUGHAN
Learn more about careers in conservation with Zoo Educator Justin Vaughan on Saturday at 2:00 PM.
SUNDAY, APRIL 18 – ZOOM MONARCHWATCH WITH JEN FARRELL
MonarchWatch is a Citizen Science program which involves volunteers to tag and record Monarch Butterflies. Your contribution will help scientists collect very valuable data to study the population and its migration patterns down to Mexico for the winter season. Monarch butterflies have many direct threats from weather, to habitat loss and destruction of valuable food sources due to herbicides and agricultural expansion. Monarch Butterfly numbers are steadily in decline. Join Zoo Educator Jen Farrell on via Zoom Sunday, April 18 at 2:00 pm to learn more.
THURSDAY, APRIL 22 - EARTH DAY GIVEAWAY
On April 22, the first 50 families to enter the Zoo will receive reusable Zoo bags filled with fun and informative ways to help the earth!
THURSDAY, APRIL 22 - EARTH DAY FACEBOOK/INSTAGRAM LIVE
Join us via Facebook and Instagram Live on Thursday, April 22 at 1:00 PM as we celebrate Earth Day!
For more information and to register for any of these programs, visit https://www.beardsleyzoo.org/party-for-the-planet.html.
About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo
Let your curiosity run wild! Connecticut’s only zoo, celebrating its 99th year, features 350 animals representing primarily North and South American and Northern Asian species. Guests won’t want to miss our Amur tigers, Amur leopards, maned wolves, Mexican gray wolves and red wolves. Other highlights include our new Spider Monkey Habitat, the prairie dog exhibit, and the Pampas Plains with Giant anteaters and Chacoan peccaries. Guests can grab a bite from the Peacock Café and eat in the Picnic Grove. Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is a non-profit organization approaching its 100th year at a time when the mission of helping fragile wildlife populations and eco-systems is more important than ever.
Covid-19 safety rules remain in effect. Tickets must be purchased on the Zoo’s website at beardsleyzoo.org. Face masks are required for everyone over the age of two, with the exception of those with medical conditions that preclude wearing them. Social distancing is mandated throughout the Zoo.