POWELL, OH – From April 17-23, 2023, join the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in honoring our planet by participating in impactful Earth Week recycling activities that lead up to an exciting Earth Day Celebration Weekend.
Small, individual actions help make a difference, and the Zoo has lined up different activities each day for our guests and community so that, together, we can make an even bigger impact to protect wildlife and wild places.
Earth Week activities include:
SPECIAL BIRDING ACTIVITY!
Tuesday, April 18 – Birding Experience at Safari Golf Club
Do you think we just have “Birdies” and “Eagles” at Safari Golf Club? See for yourself and join us on a walking birding experience of our very own Safari Golf Club, an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary! The tour will be hosted by
Dr. Michael Kreger, Vice President of Conservation at the Columbus Zoo, and Dr. Joe Smith, Vice President of The Wilds. Space is limited and is expected to fill up fast! This is a rain or shine experience, so please dress for the weather. Don’t forget to bring your own binoculars! Pre-registration by is required. Funds raised will support wildlife conservation projects such as bird habitats at the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds.
• 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
• $15 per person.
• Attendees must be 10 years of age or older.
REDUCE, REUSE, AND RECYCLE DAYS
Monday, April 17 – Styrofoam Recycling Drive in partnership with SWACO
• Short description
• 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Zoo’s parking lot. (Admission is not required, but participants are encouraged to visit the Zoo after dropping off their Styrofoam to learn more about wildlife from around the globe!)
• Please visit our website for a list of accepted items.
Tuesday, April 18 – Battery Collection Day in partnership with the Columbus Zoo’s Green Team
• The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will be collecting old single use alkaline batteries for proper recycling.
• 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. inside the Zoo’s entrance. (Zoo membership/admission required for entry.)
• Items that cannot be accepted include rechargeable lithium-ion, nickel-metal hydride, nickel-cadmium, and lead batteries.
Wednesday, April 19 – Handheld Electronics Recycling Drive benefiting Gorillas on the Line
• The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is proud to collect handheld electronics to benefit Gorillas on the Line. This annual electronics recycling campaign, sponsored by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Gorilla SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction), program has recycled more than 42,000 electronic devices and raised over $20,000 for gorilla conservation since 2019.
• 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. inside the Zoo’s entrance. (Zoo membership/admission required for entry. Support for Gorillas on the Line can also be provided online through the Zoo’s website.)
• Accepted items include cell phones/smartphones, iPods, iPads or other tablets, Apple\Android watches, GPS units, MP3 players, e-readers, digital cameras, and handheld gaming systems. Laptops cannot be accepted.
Thursday, April 20 – Item Donation Drive in partnership with Goodwill
• Instead of sending items you no longer use to the landfill, donate them to Goodwill so these items can be reused by others!
• 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Zoo’s parking lot. (Admission is not required, but participants are encouraged to visit the Zoo after donating their items to explore wildlife species that benefit from sustainable actions!)
• Check out the Zoo’s event page for a full list of accepted items. Certain items (beds, car seats, etc.) cannot be accepted.
Friday, April 21 – Electronic Recycling Drive hosted in partnership with Accurate IT Services
• Drop off your old electronics so that they can be properly recycled and repurposed!
• 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Zoo’s parking lot. (Admission is not required, but participants are encouraged to visit the Zoo after donating their items to celebrate the world’s wildlife!)
• Visit the Zoo’s event page for a full list of accepted items.
• Certain items are subject to payment for proper recycling.
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION WEEKEND: Saturday and Sunday, April 22-23
This two-day weekend event will feature live entertainment, activity booths hosted by local environmentally focused organizations, Character Ambassador meet and greets, and more! Event highlights include:
Conservation Activity Stations
Make your way around Conservation Lake to visit with environmentally-focused local organizations and learn more about protecting the environment in a fun, interactive way.
Global Hop Region Stops
Throughout the Zoo, we will promote some of our major field conservations partners pertaining to each particular Zoo region. "Think Globally, Act Locally” while learning about all the Zoo's great work in a fun and interactive way. Stations are hosted by Columbus Zoo docents.
Party For the Planet Dance Party
Learn about the importance of being green while taking part in this high energy dance party and other activities! This activity will take place next to the map in front of Conservation Lake at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
Green Spot and the Dots Story Time
Join Green Spot as he travels throughout Columbus to find out what makes spots green and inspires his friends to take care of the environment. This activity will take place in the front yard of Character Cottage at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 3 p.m.
How to Grow a Garden With Sydnee Koala
Enjoy this self-guided activity in Adventure Cove, presented by your favorite gal from Down Under, Sydnee Koala. At each stop, locate the hidden letter and unscramble them to crack the code. Once you know what the secret word is, stop by the Earth Day information tent to collect your plant-tastic prize!
Character Ambassador Meet and Greets
The Zoo’s Character Ambassadors will be out and about to celebrate with you. Be sure to stop by Lakeside Pavilion and say hello to get a memorable photo with your pals!
Times: 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m. (Attraction will be moved inside Lakeside Pavilion in the case of inclement weather.)
Character Ambassador Rolling Celebrations
Now’s the time to party with our Character Ambassadors as they roll through the Zoo on a musical train that’s out of this world!
Times: 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:15 p.m. (Times are weather dependent and subject to change without notice.)
Animal Enrichment
The animals will be joining in the celebration by exploring a variety of special items provided to them in their habitats. Be sure to visit the Zoo’s website for more information coming soon!
Keeper Talks, presented by GermainCars
Learn about some of the Zoo’s animals from the people who know them best—our Animal Care staff!
Schedule for both days (subject to change):
9:45 a.m. – Lions (Heart of Africa)
10:30 a.m. –Bears (Polar Frontier)
11:15 a.m. – Tigers (Asia Quest)
1 p.m. – Koalas (Australia and the Islands)
1:45 p.m. – Orangutans (Australia and the Islands)
2:30 p.m. – Penguins (Shores and Aquarium)
Banana Slug String Band – Sunday, April 23 ONLY
The Banana Slug String Band will be joining us at Lakeside Theatre all the way from California to perform two 45-minute shows featuring their award-winning soundtracks. With their “guitars, voices, crazy characters, and an extraordinary ability to connect with children…they change the world, one child at a time” with their educational, fun songs. Times: 11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m., and 1 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
For additional updates about the Columbus Zoo, events, and more, be sure to follow the Zoo’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, and visit us at ColumbusZoo.org.
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About the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Home to more than 10,000 animals representing over 600 species worldwide, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium leads by making a positive impact on people, wildlife and wild places. The Zoo complex is a recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Club. 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 wildlife conservation organization with regional, national and global impact, annually supporting conservation and research projects locally and worldwide. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Columbus Zoo has earned Charity Navigator’s prestigious 4-star rating.
