POWELL, Ohio – Join the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on Saturday, April 27 to spring into action and celebrate Mother Earth at Party for the Planet®. More than 130 other zoological facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) nationwide will throw these parties to show their appreciation for the planet and to help guests learn more about how we can all work together to improve life on earth for all living creatures. Party for the Planet® events will take place at the Columbus Zoo from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. with special activities, including:

• Activity Stations: Learn more about how you can do your part to take care of the earth at interactive displays presented by:
  • Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks
  • Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Education Department
  • Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Enrichment
  • Delaware County Master Gardeners
  • Delaware Soil and Water Conservation District
  • Franklin County Environmental Court
  • Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District
  • Keep Delaware County Beautiful (Delaware General Health District)
  • Ohio EPA, Office of Environmental Education (EE)
  • The Wilds
• Party for the Planet® Program Stage: Join us at Conservation Lake for special games, performances and animals, including:

• Character Ambassador Rolling Celebration, presented by Donatos: Get ready to bust a move and join the party as your favorite characters roll through the Zoo during this musical celebration on wheels. Rolling Celebrations will take place at 10:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., weather permitting.
• Surfin’ Safari Show Spring Training Sessions: Located at the Surfin’ Safari Stage at Lakeside Pavilion, join the stars of this summertime animal show as they practice for the upcoming season. Shows will take place at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
• NEW! Conservation Marketplace: Stop inside the Zoo’s Lakeside Pavilion Room 1 to support wildlife conservation through the purchase of one-of-a-kind gifts. The New Nature Foundation, the Ohio Wildlife Center and Partners In Conservation will each have items for purchase.
• NEW! Conservation Chats: Several Columbus Zoo staff members and partners will present information about the Zoo’s conservation programs in Lakeside Pavilion Room 2. The schedule is as follows:

  TIME	TOPIC	PRESENTER(S)
  11 a.m.	New Nature Foundation in Uganda	Michael Stern and Rebecca Goldstone
  11:30 a.m.	Cheetahs	Brian Badger, Cheetah Conservation Fund
  12 p.m.	Lemurs	Dr. Randy Junge, Columbus Zoo
  12:30 p.m.	Mussels	Dr. Tom Watters, The Ohio State University
  1 p.m.	Scimitar-horned Oryx	Dan Beetem, The Wilds
  1:30 p.m.	Mexican Wolves	Carrie Pratt, Columbus Zoo
  2 p.m.	New Nature Foundation in Vietnam	Michael Stern and Rebecca Goldstone
  2:30 p.m.	Gorilla Conservation	Dr. Jan Ramer, The Wilds
  3 p.m.	Partners in Conservation	Jeff Ramsey, Columbus Zoo
  3:30 p.m.	Manatees	Becky Ellsworth, Columbus Zoo
  4 p.m.	Migratory Birds	Nikki Smith, Columbus Zoo
  4:30 p.m.	Giraffe	Dr. Priya Bapodra-Villaverde and Adam Felts, Columbus Zoo
  5 p.m.	Wildlife Rescue	Stormy Gibson and Adam Turpen, Ohio Wildlife Center

• GreenSpot and the Dots Story Time: Stop by My House at Habitat Hollow in the North America Region for the reading of GreenSpot and the Dots. Readings will take place at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Animal Enrichment: Make your way around the Zoo and watch some of the animals enjoy special Earth Day treats and enrichment created by the Animal Care staff from recycled materials. The Party for the Planet® animal enrichment schedule is as follows:

*schedule is subject to change without notice.

Party for the Planet® offers fun, educational opportunities for the entire family and most activities are included with the price of admission or a valid Columbus Zoo membership. For more information, please visit ColumbusZoo.org.

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About the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Home to more than 10,000 animals representing over 600 species from around the globe, 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 $4 million of 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.