County Executive Ryan McMahon Announces Family Cleanup & Endangered Species Day at Rosamond Gifford Zoo
Event to take place May 18th
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – County Executive J. Ryan McMahon, II invites the community to participate in a
volunteer clean-up of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo perimeter at Burnet Park the morning of Saturday,
May 18th. Following the cleanup, the zoo will be celebrating Endangered Species Day.
The events are part of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ (AZA) “Spring into Action” campaign encouraging people to focus on protecting Planet Earth from Earth Day (April 22nd) through World Oceans Day (June 8th). Dozens of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums will be holding special events
including activities for families to volunteer together on behalf of Planet Earth.
County Executive McMahon said, “As part of our zoo’s conservation mission, we are inviting area families to join in the spirit of volunteerism to help with our cleanup day and celebrate Endangered Species Day.” McMahon continued, “Even small efforts like this make a big difference when we all join
together.”
Zoo Director Ted Fox said, “I urge everyone who can to volunteer for the Family Volunteer Cleanup on
May 18. It’s a great way to help keep one of our county’s crown jewels in pristine condition.”
The Family Volunteer Cleanup begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 18 in front of the zoo. The first 100 people to register and show up at 9 a.m. will receive a wristband for free zoo admission after the cleanup. The first 200 people will receive a free native plant. Those who post a photo showing they planted their plant by Memorial Day — tagging @syracusezoo with hashtag #SpringIntoAction – will be
entered in a drawing for a special keeper chat at the zoo.
Participating families will report to different stations along the Burnet Park side of the zoo perimeter to obtain cleanup tools and pick up litter. Drinks and snacks will be provided after the cleanup. Prizes will be awarded for the most unique item found and for the heaviest individual cleanup bag. All participants
will be entered in a drawing of a zoo gift basket.
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the zoo will observe Endangered Species Day with keeper chats and
demonstrations focused on endangered animals and Species Survival Plans at the zoo.
The events are part of the AZA’s Spring into Action campaign, which leverages the resources of AZA- accredited zoos and aquariums to offer family-friendly opportunities to improve and protect our planet. The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is among 233 institutions accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), which requires its members to meet the highest standards of animal care, wildlife
conservation, education and guest experience.
AZA provided grants for 50 of its institutions to hold volunteer activities for the Spring into Action
Campaign.
To sign up for the Family Volunteer Cleanup, please visit syracusezooevents.org.
Schedule of events:
Saturday, May 18, 2019 – Family Cleanup and Endangered Species Day
9 a.m. Family Volunteer Cleanup participants report for cleanup in front of the zoo entrance. Pre- register here.
9-11 a.m. Volunteer Cleanup participants help with litter pickup on the Burnet Park side of the zoo perimeter.
11 a.m. – Drinks and snacks for cleanup participants.
11:30 a.m. – Endangered Species Keeper Chat: Ruffed lemurs – Social Animals. Noon- 3 p.m. – Zoo Curiosity Carts, Seafood Watch, Snailblazers in zoo lobby.
12:30 p.m. – Endangered Species Keeper Chat: Radiated tortoise – Diversity of Birds. 1 p.m. – Endangered Species Keeper Chat: Humboldt penguin – Penguin Coast.
1:30 p.m. – Meet a locally endangered animal: Eastern box turtle – Upper lobby.
2 p.m. – Endangered Species Keeper Chat: Red panda – Wildlife Trail.
2:30 p.m. – Endangered Species Keeper Chat: Bactrian camels – Northwestern Mutual Amphitheatre. 3 p.m. – Bird Feeding, Diversity of Birds exhibit.