An Earth Day Party for the Planet at Potter Park Zoo

By Billie Harris 

Lansing, MI - Help celebrate the Earth while learning new ways to keep the planet healthy when Potter Park Zoo hosts it annual Party for the Planet event in conjunction with over 150 zoos across the nation on Saturday, April 18, 2009 from noon to 4:00p.m.

In celebration of Earth Day, conservation and green tables will be located throughout the zoo with fun facts about conservation issues and recycling options. At each table, guests will be able to explore these topics with hands-on artifacts, information, and demonstrations. In addition, a number of green and earth-friendly organizations will be on hand with interactive displays so everyone can learn more about being a responsible eco-citizen. Drop-off recycling stations also will be available for visitors to bring in old sneakers or cell phones for recycling, and to learn about these and many other exciting recycling programs at the zoo.

Children of all ages will have a chance to participate in games, crafts, face painting, and fun animal awareness activities located at stations throughout the zoo. There will also be a large birthday cards for guests to sign in honor of Shaq the otter's 20th birthday.

The zoo-wide celebration also will include fun activities for the animals! Beginning at 1:00 p.m. partygoers will get a chance to witness many of the zoo's animal residents in action as they receive special Party for the Planet enrichment treats in honor of the event.

"We hope to make this Potter Park Zoo's largest party for the planet to date, so we have even got our animal residents involved!"
says Zoo Society Director Diane McNeil. "Our goal is to provide a fun family activity while helping teach the importance of conservation and recycling practices."

Potter Park Zoo's Party for the Planet event is part of a nationwide celebration with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to help visitors discover ways to connect to their local environment and make a collective difference in conservation.

For more information, please visit www.potterparkzoo.org. Zoo admission is $4 for residents, $10 for non-residents, $2 for kids up to 16, and free for kids 3 and under. Parking is $2 for Ingham County residents and
$4 for non-residents.

Potter Park Zoo is located at 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave. within Potter Park along the Red Cedar River in Lansing, Michigan. The zoo is open daily year-round, summer hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (517) 483-4222 or visit www.potterparkzoo.org.