Celebrate Spring at the Zoo
For immediate release: April 15, 2011

Contact
Melinda Arnold, Public Relations Director
417-833-1570 (office)
marnold [at] dickersonparkzoo.org

Springfield, Mo. - Dickerson Park Zoo will celebrate spring with twice the fun from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., April 23, with Party for the Planet and Enrichment EGGstravaganza. Zoo guests will celebrate Earth Day with Party for the Planet crafts, activities and entertainment throughout the park as well as watch the zoo's animals "hunt" for papier-mâché Easter eggs filled with treats.

Children will create pinwheels to explore wind energy, create art with coffee filters, learn about the Earth and water with "Mad Science," and watch The Fishin' Magicians perform strolling magic. A "Vulture Culture" program featuring "Suli" the turkey vulture will be presented in the zoo's Junior League Amphitheatre at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. All activities are free with paid zoo admission.

"Party for the Planet" is in its fifth year at zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. The event continues to grow in popularity and has become the largest combined Earth Day celebration in North America. This year's festivities are sponsored nationally by Disneynature's "African Cats," opening in theaters on Earth Day, April 22.

Enrichment EGGstravaganza illustrates one type of enrichment zookeepers provide to stimulate the animals' natural instincts to hunt for food or manipulate objects. A complete list of enrichment activity times will be provided to guests when they enter the zoo.

Regular zoo admission is $8 for adults and teenagers, $5 for children ages 3-12 and $5 for seniors age 60 and older. Children age 2 and younger and Friends of the Zoo members are admitted free. For additional information on Party for the Planet or Enrichment EGGstravaganza, contact the zoo at 417-864-1800 or visit www.dickersonparkzoo.org.

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Dickerson Park Zoo is a division of the Springfield-Greene County Park Board and is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA).With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.