Eco-Friendly Holiday at the Palm Beach Zoo

Patton, a military macaw, enjoys a gift wrapped with recycled newspaper at the Palm Beach Zoo, which is hosting an”Eco-Friendly Holiday” series.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society is announcing its first-ever “Eco-Friendly Holiday” décor theme, in which it will model methods of naturalistic, “green”-themed decorations. Guests are encouraged to visit the Zoo from December 13, 2014, through January 1, 2015, to view ways in which they can explore ideas to “green” their holiday traditions, and to receive conservation messaging tips in signs spread throughout the Zoo.

Zoo staff members worked with student volunteers from G-Star School of the Arts, who helped to design the eco-friendly decorations. The students also created the décor through activities such as draining coconut ornaments, painting wooden houses and trees for a play area in the Zoo that will be decorated with inspiration from “Whoville,” and constructing giant holiday presents that will be spread throughout the Zoo. The students will install the decorations they created on December 11.

“Our students have enjoyed this project,” said George Colavecchio, production coordinator for G-Star. “They have been able to discover ways for going green in their own lives and sharing that knowledge with others in a fun and creative way.”

The entire month of December, guests are invited to watch as zookeepers will feature special holiday enrichment activities for various animals, beginning with a jaguar and capuchin monkeys receiving gifts on December 6, 2014. The public is encouraged to follow the Zoo on their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts to stay informed about animal holiday enrichment schedules.

Children can create their very own snowflake ornament and snowman necklace made from natural materials in eco-friendly craft workshops on Saturday and Sunday, December 13 – 14 and 20 – 21. As a special treat, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer will also be making appearances throughout the course of the workshops. Funds raised benefit the daily operations of the Zoo.

WHAT: Eco-Friendly Holiday at the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society

WHEN: December 13, 2014 through January 1, 2015

WHERE: Spread out around Zoo grounds, with signs directing guests where to look

 

WHAT: Eco-Friendly Holiday enrichment for a jaguar and capuchin monkeys

WHEN: December 6, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. during Jaguar Talk, 1:30 p.m. during Primate Feeding

WHERE: Jaguar habitat, capuchin monkey habitat in the Harriett & George D. Cornell Tropics of the Americas section of the Zoo

 

WHAT: Eco-Friendly Children’s Holiday Craft Workshops

WHEN: December 13, 14, 20, & 21, 2014 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily

WHERE: Peggy S. Brown Special Events Pavilion

COST: $3.00 per member child and $5.00 per non-member child, tickets can be purchased at the Zoo’s admissions booth upon arrival or upon arrival to the Peggy S. Brown Special Events Pavilion

“We are proud to showcase decorating in a more eco-friendly way during this time of year,” said Andrew Aiken, president and CEO for the Zoo. “Celebrating with a sustainable holiday is meaningful to us as part of our mission.

“We hope to show that you don’t have to sacrifice your traditions or your enjoyment to be kind to the environment,” Aiken continued. “An eco-friendly holiday helps wildlife!”

The Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society is located at 1301 Summit Boulevard in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, except Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information, visit www.palmbeachzoo.org.

 

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

New: Moral Compass: Great Places to Go Where the Going Does Good

moralcompasstravel.info

Check out our newest travel site for special deals, insiders’ tips at tidbitts.com: http://www.tidbitts.com/karen-rubin/where-in-the-world

Tags: Eco Friendly Holiday, eco-friendly, eco-friendly holiday at the Palm Beach Zoo, Palm Beach Zoo, zoo attractions