By Kate Irelan
When the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoos and aquariums, like the Hutchinson Zoo, combine Earth Day, Endangered Species Day, and World Ocean Day, the largest party for the planet is held to celebrate the world we live in. The Party for the Planet at the Hutchinson Zoo is April 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and promises zoo learning stations, community education booths, zoo-keeper chats, an update on the new Ocelot Complex, and more. The event is free.
Sierra Wood, education coordinator at the Hutchinson Zoo, said, “Party for the Planet offers families unique opportunities to visit their local AZA-accredited zoo or aquarium, celebrate the Earth’s biodiversity, and learn how they can take action to make a difference. Party for the Planet is a nationwide celebration organized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and zoos accredited by them.”
Wood said this is the third Party for the Planet she’s been involved in planning. She said they will have different zoo learning stations and booths from other community groups, including the Dillon Nature Center, Hutchinson Public Library, Strataca, and the Cosmosphere. The zoo will also host different zoo-keeper chats throughout the day.
Wood said that this is also a chance to give a construction update to zoo-goers about the new Ocelot Complex. Wood said, “The Ocelot Complex is near completion. We are currently recommended for ocelot breeding. To improve the welfare and care of the ocelots, the City of Hutchinson, in partnership with the AZA’s SAFE Ocelot program and the USFWS, is expanding both the indoor and outdoor spaces for our ocelots.”
The Hutchinson Zoo has two other activities for April. The last spring single-day camp is on April 18th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. To register, visit their website through this link: http://hutchinsonzoo.org/155/Summer-Camps. On April 26, The Guardians of the Children’s “15th Annual Kids Day” event is from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
To learn more about the Party for the Planet celebration, visit the AZA website: https://www.aza.org/partyfortheplanet. Earth Day is April 22, Endangered Species Day is May 16, and World Ocean Day is June 8.
