News Release

March 28, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact : Sondra Katzen
Public Relations
708.688.8351
sondra.katzen@czs.org

Note: Images of Party for the Planet activities at Brookfield Zoo may be downloaded at www.czs.org/pressroom.

Think Green and Party for the Planet at Brookfield Zoo
Chicago Zoological Society Raises Awareness About Climate Change

     Brookfield, Ill.—Every day is Earth Day at Brookfield Zoo, but the zoo is hoping to make a big impact on one very special day during its Party for the Planet celebration on Saturday, April 23. The day-long event, which takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., will highlight polar bears and the effects that climate change is having on these magnificent creatures of the north. Party for the Planet festivities will feature fun ways to learn how to do things every day that help the environment while supporting the Chicago Zoological Society’s mission of inspiring conservation leaders by connecting people with wildlife and nature. The fun-filled day includes live entertainment, crafts and activities, Zoo Chats, an appearance by the Clean Air Club Bus, useful “green” tips from the zoo’s eco-partners, an opportunity to make a “Polar Bear Pledge,” and an electronic recycling event.

As guests pass through the north entrance, they can follow the life-size polar bear statues and "Go Green" tips to the zoo’s Pavilions. There, they can show their support by taking a few moments to fill out an online Polar Pledge. Once registered, participants will receive weekly tips on the modifications they can make in their life to help fight global climate change, which is reducing the amount of sea ice and threatening the polar bears’ hunting abilities and, ultimately, their survival.

At the Bison Pavilion, entertainers will deliver GREEN messages with fun and interactive performances. Green E—The Environmental Elvis will have the crowd up on their feet and dancing to environmentally friendly tunes at 11:00 a.m. Green E’s Elvis Presley-inspired ‘60s and ‘70s songs feature “Don’t Waste Fuel,” “Are You Recycling Tonight,” and “Burning Sludge.” Later at 2:00 p.m., guests of all ages can have a fun-filled time with Ricky Recycle during his high-energy interactive and educational program that will feature songs, comedy, and extreme zaniness to illustrate the benefits of recycling. From discovering where materials come from and how they are processed and reprocessed into products to ways to reduce waste, the show is sure to get a big “green” thumbs up.

Additional motivational presentations at the Bison Pavilion will be given at noon by staff members from Lights for Learning™, who will enlighten guests about energy efficiency, energy conservation, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the benefits of using fluorescent lightbulbs. At 1:00 p.m., conscious carnivores are invited to join representatives from West Suburban Whole Foods Market stores where Whole Foods

Market’s Chef Ron will be offering a cooking demonstration featuring a recipe highlighting their new animal- compassion standards. Wrapping up the schedule at 3:00 p.m. are members of School & Community Assistance for Recycling & Composting Education, or SCARCE. The organization will share ways to conserve natural resources and energy, prevent pollution, reduce waste, recycle, and compost organic materials.

At the Eco Expo, located in the Swan Pavilion, guests can mingle with representatives from ecofriendly companies who will be able to share the latest in their fields and discuss products that can have a positive impact on the environment.

Zoogoers can board the “Poop Tram” for a behind-the-scenes tour of Brookfield Zoo’s odorless compost facility. Tours, offered at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. (weather permitting), depart from the east side of Tropic World. The trams, sponsored by Nicor, are powered by clean-burning natural gas. In addition, guests can climb aboard the whimsically decorated Clean Air Club Bus, a recycled 1980s-era school bus, where they can discover ways to help the environment, explore the best option for renewable fuel used to run vehicles, and more.

Zoo guests can help reduce some of the greenhouse gases that are responsible for global warming by planting some green at the zoo and at home. Youngsters can help plant flowers outside Hamill Family Play Zoo and a tree at Great Bear Wilderness. Inside the Play Zoo (admission fee applies), kids can plant an acorn to take home and watch it grow, as well as receive a free tree sapling (whiles supplies last) sponsored by JULIE, Inc.

The zoo’s animal keepers and volunteers will give Zoo Chats that inspire conservation leadership by sharing insights on how our actions at home impact animals across the globe. Chats take place at various times and animal exhibits during the event, including a 1:30 p.m. informal talk about polar bears. Additionally, at 1:00 p.m. in Discovery Center, one of the zoo’s bear keepers who visited Manitoba, Canada, to view polar bears in the wild will give an informative presentation about her travels and these marine mammals of the north, and she will share ways that people can help polar bears survive.

On The Carousel Plaza, guests of all ages can help create a sidewalk chalk mural by sharing their conservation-inspired artistry to illustrate their “green” ideas and personal resolutions for adopting a “greener” lifestyle. Encouraging the youngsters will be Billy Blazes™, one of the Fisher-Price® Rescue Heroes® characters who will be on hand throughout the day.

Brookfield Zoo is also inviting the public to bring all of their old electronics to the zoo for recycling. On Friday, April 22, and Saturday, April 23, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m., representatives from Vintage Tech Recyclers will be stationed in the zoo’s main parking lot, which is located at First Avenue and 31st Street. There, they will remove from vehicles such items as televisions, computers, monitors, laptops, printers, keyboards, fax machines, VCRs, cell phones, telephones and accessories, stereo equipment, scanners, video game consoles, PDAs, MP3s, and iPods.

As guests enter the zoo, they will receive information detailing all of the Party for the Planet activities. In addition, the complete schedule is posted on the zoo’s Web site, www.CZS.org/Events.

General admission to Brookfield Zoo is $13.50 for adults and $9.50 for children 3-11 and seniors 65 and older. Children 2 and under are free. Parking is $9. Brookfield Zoo’s Party for the Planet is sponsored by Fisher-Price®, West Suburban Whole Foods Market, JULIE, Inc, Nicor, and American Airlines.

Open every day of the year, Brookfield Zoo is located off First Avenue between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways and is also accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, CTA, and PACE bus service.
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