Powell, Ohio — AEP Ohio’s forestry program is critical to keeping the power on — making sure that its lines and equipment are free of trees and brush that could potentially cause outages for customers. Now, the forestry crew's work will serve a dual purpose by donating a portion of the trees they regularly trim to benefit the animals at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and The Wilds through its new “Trim to Treat” partnership.
The fresh tree trimmings, branches and twigs — also known as browse — are important to the animals’ diets, and beneficial for enrichment. From the tallest to the smallest of animals, many will enjoy the benefits of this unique partnership, whether it’s a giraffe munching on some fresh leaves as part of its daily diet or a beaver chomping at a branch to help support dental health and its ever-growing teeth.
"'Trim to Treat' really is a unique and important program that directly benefits some animals at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and The Wilds. Branches and tree trimmings from our neighboring communities will be repurposed and recycled for the animals in our care," said Dr. Jan Ramer, Interim Senior Vice President of Animal Care and Conservation, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and The Wilds. “We’re appreciative of the support from AEP Ohio and our community as together we work to creatively use these resources in ways that positively impacts the animals—many of which are threatened and endangered.”
The “Trim to Treat” partnership will help the Columbus Zoo save money by reducing the need to source browse elsewhere. AEP Ohio forestry crews have an approved list of tree species from the Columbus Zoo that they’ll identify, bundle, and deliver by the truckload after they’ve been trimmed. Deliveries will be made twice a week to the Columbus Zoo and at least monthly to The Wilds in Cumberland, Ohio.
“We’re proud to donate fresh, local browse to the animals at the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds. It’s really the perfect pairing — utilizing something we already have on hand to make a difference,” said Dale Hopkins, Region Forestry Manager, AEP Ohio.
AEP Ohio assesses and trims trees on a four-year cycle to help minimize power outages for its customers while also keeping in mind the health and beauty of the trees in communities across Ohio.
To learn more about this partnership and how it works, visit AEPOhio.com/Trim-to-Treat.
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About AEP Ohio
AEP Ohio is based in Gahanna, Ohio, and is a unit of American Electric Power. AEP Ohio provides electricity to nearly 1.5 million customers. News and information about AEP Ohio can be found at AEPOhio.com.
American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions to our customers. AEP’s approximately 16,800 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 223,000 miles of distribution lines to efficiently deliver safe, reliable power to nearly 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 30,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 5,500 megawatts of renewable energy. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, AEP Energy Partners, AEP OnSite Partners, and AEP Renewables, which provide innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.
About the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Home to more than 10,000 animals representing over 600 species worldwide, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium leads and inspires by connecting people and wildlife. The Zoo complex is a recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Course. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also manages The Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio. The Zoo is a regional attraction with global impact, annually contributing privately raised funds to support conservation projects worldwide. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Columbus Zoo has earned Charity Navigator’s prestigious 4-star rating.
About The Wilds
The Wilds, one of the largest conservation centers in North America, is home to rare and endangered animals from around the world along with hundreds of indigenous species. The mission of The Wilds, a nonprofit organization managed by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, is to lead and inspire by connecting people and wildlife. The Wilds is located at 14000 International Road in Cumberland, Ohio, about 90 minutes east of Columbus. Normal hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day from May through September, and on Saturdays and Sundays in October. For more information, visit TheWilds.org.