The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Central Park Zoo Announces Education Programs For Children And Families

Here are events that any child would enjoy.

Gregory

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Spring and summer programming gives young participants an introduction to the world of wildlife

New York – Feb. 28, 2012- The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Central Park Zoo has opened registration for spring and summer education programs for children and families.

Beginning in March, these programs offer a glimpse into wildlife, nature, and the environment. Participants will learn about wildlife through a variety of activities including age-appropriate games, crafts, sing-alongs, exhibit visits, and more.

All programs include a meet-and-greet with a few of the zoo’s animal ambassadors, and The Junior Keepers program includes a chance to meet some of the Central Park Zoo’s animal keepers.

There are parent-child programs, as well as drop-off programs for older youngsters. For a more in-depth animal adventure, kids can attend week-long summer camp sessions.

Registrations are now being accepted online. For more information and a full list of programs and summer camps, visit www.centralparkzoo.com/programs, call 212-439-6583 , or emailcpzregistration@wcs.org. Programs sell out quickly and registrants are encouraged to sign up early.

TODDLER TIME:

2-3 year olds, with adult

Meet a variety of furry, scaly, and feathery zoo animals in these interactive classes for toddlers and their caregivers. Live animals, movement and musical activities, and a craft are all part of the fun.

All sessions 10:30-11:30 am

Scaly Critters - Saturday, March 3; Thurs, March 8; Tuesday, April 24

Fairy Tails - Tuesday, March 20; Thurs, April 5; Saturday, March 31

Hop, Skip, and Jump - Tuesday, March 13; Thurs, March 15; Saturday, May 12

Animal Sing-A-Long - Tuesday, March 6; Saturday, April 28; Thurs, March 1

Winged Wonders - Saturday, March 24; Thurs, April 26; Tuesday, April 17

Homey Habitats - Thurs, March 29; Tuesday, April 3; Saturday, April 14

Cost:

One session only: Members $25; Non-members $30

Six session series: Members $125; Non-members $150

KINDER KRITTERS:

4 - 5 year olds, with caregiver

Preschoolers will have a blast in these fun-filled programs designed just for their age group. Instructors will lead them through songs, dances, and games, as well as creative animal-themed crafts. Kids and their care takers will also get a chance to meet an animal in each program.

All sessions 10:00-11:00 am

Perfectly Penguin - Saturday, March 10

Color Their World - Saturday, April 21

Springtime on the Farm - Saturday, May 12

Incredible Insects - Saturday, June 2

Cost:

One session only: Members $25; Non-members $30

Four session series: Members $100; Non-members $125

PHOTO SERIES: Earth Day Images:

6 -18 year olds, with adult

In this family program, parents and kids will team up and take photos of our zoo animal ambassadors in celebration of Earth Day. Our resident wildlife photographer, Judith Wolfe, will take guests on a journey through the zoo to capture the perfect Earth Day images. Digital camera required.

Sunday April 22

10:00-11:30 am

Cost:

Members $45; Non-members $50

MOTHER’S DAY CELEBRATION

3-10 years old, with adult

On this day dedicated to moms, guests will meet a variety of animal moms and their babies. Everyone will make tasty treats for some of the zoo animals and embark on an animal moms scavenger hunt. Crafts and a Mother’s Day cake are included.

Sunday, May 13

11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Cost:

Members $45; Non-members $50

ZOO SCIENCE INVESTIGATORS

7-10 years old
In this class taught by the zoo’s Urban Ecologist, kids will use real science skills to solve a mystery and use the zoo as their lab. At the end of the class, kids will have the chance to meet some of the species that they have been studying.

Saturday, March 24

10:00-11:30 am

Cost:

Members $35; Non-members $40

AMPHIBIOUS EXPLORATIONS

9 to 12 yeas old

Frogs and toads help scientists determine the health of the environment. In this program the zoo’s Urban Ecologist will take kids on a journey to find out why. Participants will perform experiments to study the effects of pollution on amphibians and test water quality of the zoo’s pond. Learn from animal keepers how they care for the amphibians in the zoo.

Saturday, April 28

10:00-11:30 am

Cost:

Members $35; Non-members $40

BUGS, BUGS, BUGS

7-10 years old
Children will learn about the insects that live in the zoo. They will collect insects from various habitats around the zoo and sort the collections to identify the species. Each participant will take home their own insect trap to collect and observe the ones they see in their neighborhoods.

Saturday, May 19

10:00-11:30 am

Cost:

Members $35; Non-members $40

JUNIOR KEEPER SERIES

8-10 years old

Kids in this program will help keepers care for the animals. From studying animal behavior to creating enrichment items, participants will have a chance to find out what a keeper’s job entails.

All sessions 9:00-10:30 am

Sea Lions - Sunday, March 4

Snow Leopards - Sunday, March 25

Zoo Babies - Saturday, May 5

Sea Ducks - Saturday, April 21

Cost:

One session only: Members $50; Non-members $60

Four session series: Members $170; Non-members $215

CAREER SPOTLIGHT: Zoo Vet Tech

13-18 years old

In this program, teens get to meet the Central Park Zoo’s tech to discover what it takes to ensure the animals receive the best possible care. They will learn how to examine animal x-rays, hematology slides, feathers, snake skin, and more.

Saturday, March 10

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Cost:

Members $50; Non-members $60

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Central Park Zoo - Open every day of the year. Admission is $12 for adults, $9 for senior citizens, $7 for children 3 to 12, and free for children under 3. Zoo hours are 10am to 5pm weekdays, and 10am – 5:30pm weekends, April through October, and 10am – 4:30pm daily, November through April. Tickets are sold until one half-hour before closing. The zoo is located at Fifth Avenue and 64^th Street. For further information, please call 212-439-6500 or visit www.centralparkzoo.com

The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world’s largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth

NYC Seasonal Employment Opportunity- Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

Here is some information related to seasonal employment.

Gregory

***************

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) offers seasonal employment each year from March-October! Full-time and part-time schedules are available for sales, park operations, food service, cleaning/grounds keeping, and animal care positions at the Bronx Zoo and the aquarium.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

For a listing of current opportunities and application, CLICK HERE.

2012 "Run for the Wild" Scheduled for April 28th

Here is a post for all the runners out there interested in "saving the lions" while staying fit.

Gregory
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Presented by Con Edison:
The Wildlife Conservation Society’s
“Run for the Wild” 2012:
Run to Save Lions

4th Annual 5k and Family Fun Run at WCS’s Bronx Zoo

Registration is now open at www.wcs.runforthewild.org

Event Date:
Saturday, April 28, 2012

Bronx, N.Y. – Feb. 2, 2012 – Calling all runners, walkers, and athletic hopefuls – it is time to lace-up your running shoes to prepare for New York City’s wildest race: the fourth annual Wildlife Conservation Society’s Run for the Wild at WCS’s Bronx Zoo.

This year’s 5k-run/walk takes place on Saturday, April 28, 2012 and is dedicated to saving lions, their habitat and other wildlife. The Wildlife Conservation Society works across Africa and in the native range of lions in places such as Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, and Nigeria’s Yankari National Park.

WCS’s Run for the Wild registration is now open at www.wcs.runforthewild.org. Registration for the run is $35 for adults, $25 for children (3–15), and $25 for seniors (65+). Participants are encouraged to seek individual sponsors for their run, and all adult (and senior) participants are required to raise a minimum of at least $30 in order to participate.

“The WCS Run for the Wild has become a favorite of New Yorkers and many have been participating annually since the beginning,” said John Calvelli, WCS Executive Vice President of Public Affairs. “We are anticipating another tremendous turn-out of runners, walkers, families, and wildlife enthusiasts – all of which will be doing their part to help save lions and other wildlife.”

Participants can choose from two different events. The 5k run for individual runners will begin at 8:00 a.m.; casual runners and walkers can take part in the Family Fun Run/Walk at 8:45 a.m.

The event promises an exciting day for runners and walkers, and there will be plenty of post-run festivities including refreshments, music, children’s activities, and more.

After the run, participants are invited to stay and enjoy the zoo and its animal residents for the rest of the day. Everyone is encouraged to visit the Bronx Zoo’s famous African Plains exhibit where they can see African lions and many of their prey species like zebras, Thomson’s gazelles, nyala, giraffes, and more. There are many other wonderful exhibits to visit including Tiger Mountain, Madagascar!, Congo Gorilla Forest, and JungleWorld. Complimentary parking and admission will be provided.

Prizes will be awarded to those who meet various fundraising goals. For $30 in pledges, runners will earn a WCS Run for the Wild T-shirt; $60 earns a plush lion; $125 earns a water bottle; $275 earns a Jackrabbit Sports gift card and a New York Yankees cap; $600 earns a gym bag; $1500 earns a breakfast and a special Bronx Zoo animal experience. Visit www.wcs.runforthewild.org for the details.

The Wildlife Conservation Society works around the globe to save wildlife and wild places. Lions are an iconic species and symbolic of strength. Today, fewer than 30,000 remain. Over the last 50 years, their range has collapsed catastrophically to a relatively small number of countries and protected areas. The lions of Asia have been all but wiped out. Today, Asiatic lions exist only on a single reserve, the Gir Forest in India. North Africalost all of their lions a century ago and they have been steadily disappearing in other parts of the continent. There are few places conservationists would consider a safe haven for the species.

This event will sell out, so register early. For more information, to register, or to sponsor a runner/team, visitwww.wcs.runforthewild.org.

WCS’s Run for the Wild is made possible by the following generous sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor: Con Edison
Featured Sponsors: Monroe College, Montefiore
Supporting Sponsors: Stevia In The Raw, UBS
Media Partners: ABC7

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Adult admission is $16, children (3-12 years old) $12, children under 3 are free, seniors (65+) are $14. Parking is $13 for cars and $16 for buses. The Bronx Zoo is conveniently located off the Bronx River Parkway at Exit 6; by train via the #2 or #5 or by bus via the #9, #12, #19, #22, MetroNorth, or BxM11 Express Bus service (from Manhattan that stops just outside the gate.) To plan your trip, visit www.bronxzoo.com or call 718-367-1010 .

The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world’s largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on earth.

If you would like to guide your readers or viewers to a web link where they can make donations in support of helping save wildlife and wild places, please direct them to: www.wcs.org.

"Almost Naked" Polar Bear Cruise to Raise Funds for the Bronx Zoo and other NYC Wildlife Institutions

Here is something different. If you are a Polar Bear and want to help raise funds for a good cause here is your chance.

Gregory

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Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises

And Coney Island Polar Bear Club Team Up

To Benefit the Wildlife Conservation Society

Participants of the “Naked” Polar Bear Cruise

will raise funds for every minute spent outside in the cold

Giveaways and prizes for the longest in the cold

Saturday, February 25

10:30 a.m.

New York, NY- Jan. 12, 2012 - Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises and Coney Island Polar Bear Club are teaming up on Saturday, February 25th to host the fourth annual “Naked” Polar Bear Cruise (bathing suit required) to benefit the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Participating passengers are encouraged to strip down to their bathing suits and enjoy a frosty ride while they raise money to help WCS save wildlife and wild places around the globe.

When: Saturday, February 25, 2012. 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Boarding begins at 10:30 a.m.

Cruise from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Where: Pier 83

(West 42^nd St. on the Hudson River)

What: “Naked” Polar Bear Cruise

Participants will brave the cold in their bathing suits for the cruise

Who: Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises

Coney Island Polar Bear Club

Wildlife Conservation Society

Those brave enough to withstand the chilly cruise of the New York Harbor are encouraged to seek individual sponsors who will donate for each minute spent on deck.

The man and the woman who spend the longest time shivering on deck will have the change to win four Total Experience Tickets to WCS’s Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium. Soft shell fleeces from Weatherproof will also be awarded.

There will be an inside area where participants can bundle up and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate.

Participating passengers ride for free. Spectator tickets can be purchased for $20 at the Pier 83 box office (42^nd Street and the Hudson River) by calling 212-563-3200 or online at www.CircleLine42.com. Sponsorship forms are also available online.

The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world’s largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on earth.