PICTURED: Ira the Lion is just one of the many animal ambassadors that call America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College home.
David Goldstein
Last month, I asked my neighbor if he was planning to attend any local Earth Day events. Perhaps he was just trying to explain his lack of interest.
I’m going to tell him on his next birthday that I thought of giving him a gift today. But shouldnt people celebrate their lives every day.
Although the April flurry is over for Earth Day events, it’s not over for those whose jobs involve environmental work. Earth Day comes every day for many. One place where environmental work can continue throughout the year is the zoo.
Ventura County residents are fortunate to have two local Zoos. One, Americas Teaching Zoo, Moorpark College, is close to residents in eastern Ventura County. Residents of western Ventura County can drive to the Santa Barbara Zoo. Both zoos held special programs to celebrate Earth Day last month. Both have ongoing programs that promote species conservation and environmental education.
The release of more than 500 Palos Verdes blue butterflies was the highlight of Earth Day activities at Americas Teaching Zoo. This once endangered species has been saved and Moorpark College students are helping to restore it. A variety of Earth Day crafts were also enjoyed by hundreds of children. Children transformed water bottles into decorative flower pots to plant seeds.
Mara Rodriguez, zoo’s development coordinator, stated that these activities fit in with our year-round mission. That’s because we want to inspire conservation action through providing an engaging connection with wildlife, and those who care for it.
Santa Barbara Zoo’s Earth Day activities were focused on education. The U.S. Zoo staff joined the festivities during the week of Earth Day. The Institute for Wildlife Studies and Fish and Wildlife Service manned booths to offer information on field conservation programs to zoo-goers. Students from the University of California Santa Barbara set up booths near animal exhibits to administer quizzes on the educational signs. Participation prizes included reusable straws and Earth Day All Star animal card cards. The cards had explanations on the back about how kids can have Earth Day Every Day.
The advice also includes suggestions for things children can do at zoos all year to learn more about animals, and what everyone can do at home in order to protect wild habitats. The cards also direct readers towards the What You Can Do information found at nearly every exhibit. These signs provide information about the animal, its natural habitat, and examples of what zoo patrons may do to help them in the wild.
The sign at the gorilla sanctuary explains how important it is to recycle your old phone. You can help reduce the amount of materials that are mined in and around the gorilla habitat by recycling your cell phone and small electronics in our ECOCELL drop boxes.
The sign at the zoos penguin swimming pool reads, “Choose Sustainable Seafood: There are only so Many Fish in the Sea”. . . Seafood Watch cards are available at Zoos restaurants. They will help you make informed choices for your oceans.
The sign, which is located on the rail that overlooks the zoos gibbon Island, explains the problem with palm oil. . . . Many animals are suffering from habitat loss as the forests of Indonesia and Malaysian are being cleared to make way for palm oil production. You can choose to eat treats that are made without palm oil or that contain sustainably harvested palm oil.
Although some people might be concerned about animals held in captivity in captivity it has been many decades since American zoos were in the business of displaying wild animals. Modern zoos often have animals that are not capable of living in nature. Many animals at Americas Teaching Zoo were taken in by illegal owners. The majority of animals at Santa Barbara Zoo were adopted from other animals in zoos.
Americas Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College, at 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark, Saturdays and Sundays open from 11 a.m.-5: p.m. Wildlife Education Shows are at noon and 2 pm. 805-378-1441 More information can be found online at www.moorparkcollege.edu/teaching-zoo.
Santa Barbara Zoo, 500 Ninos Drive Santa Barbara The office is open from 9:30 a.m. through 5 p.m. every day. Special events and holidays may cause the office to close earlier. 805-962-5339. More information can be found online at www.sbzoo.org.
David Goldstein, Ventura County Public Works Agency Environmental Resource Analyst can be reached at 805-658 4312 or [email protected].