News
&
Updates
September 13, 2022
How to Sign-up for Volunteer Shifts:
  • Go to "Opportunities"
  • Filter by "Category"
  • Select the "Activity" you want
  • Select "Filter Activities"
  • Select the "Specific Activity" to see all available SHIFTS
  • Click on the shift you want
  • On right side, select "Sign-up"
OR
Call or email - we will get you signed up!!!!!
Greetings!
 
As the weather starts to feel a little more like fall, we are enjoying the last bits of summer but looking forward to all that fall has to offer!

Fall Zootacular is on the horizon and shifts are now available for sign-up! Sign-up early for best choice of dates, times, and opportunities. If you are part of a group and interested in signing up to help with this event in October, either email Kelly Gibson for options or sign-up through your MyImpact group account.

With the changing weather we will also start to see the leaves dropping from the trees. Stay tuned for opportunities for both individuals and groups to help get the zoo ready for winter!

In the meantime, please read on and let us know if you have any questions!
 
Gratefully,
Potter Park Zoo Team
CANDY DONATIONS
With Fall Zootacular fast approaching, it's time for our annual request for candy donations! It will be put to good use and much appreciated at the candy stations.

Please do not send candy on sticks (lollipops) or straws (pixie stix) for the safety of the animals.

For candy options that are orangutan friendly and better for the planet, please refer to the list here.
EARLY FALL HOURS CHANGE
Hours Change
Fall Hours – Labor Day Through Oct. 31

9 a.m. - 4 p.m. weekdays
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekends

Fall will be settling in soon and our daylight hours will begin to shorten, but there is still much to see and do at the zoo!
PPZ MISSION CORNER
Each week we will highlight how specific volunteer opportunities support our mission.

This week's featured volunteer opportunity:

FALL ZOOTACULAR

How does this volunteer activity support our mission?

Fall Zootacular is a family friendly, fall fundraising event. The fees collected from admission, activity tickets, and cider/donuts support operational costs and various zoo projects. Also, Fall Zootacular may bring people to the zoo who don't normally visit. This allows us to educate and inspire potentially new audiences, all while generating revenue to allow us to continue the good work we all do.

It is because of the help of volunteers that we are able to provide these experiences to local families. Thank you!

ALL FALL ZOOTACULAR SHIFTS ARE NOW UP! SIGN-UP NOW!
HIGHLIGHTED VOLUNTEER NEEDS
Sign up for any of the below through your myimpactpage.com account or the MyImpact app.

Below we are highlighting a few high priority volunteer needs. We will share a complete list toward the end of the week. Thanks for considering.
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LEMUR WATCH
The lemur troop has access to the outside habitat for the first time since the baby was born! The keepers need watchers this week from 10 a.m. -12 p.m. and 12 - 2 p.m. daily through Friday. Please sign-up at MyImpactPage.com!
RED PANDA DAY- September 18
Help our visitors celebrate Red Panda Day!
We will have information about red pandas and a scavenger hunt with various "stops" to compare other animals to red pandas.

Rhino Stop - 10:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 12:45 - 3 p.m. 
Binturong Stop - 12:45 - 3 p.m.
Scavenger Hunt Station - 12:45 - 3 p.m.
RHINO DAY- September 25
Celebrate and share rhino conservation!
The keepers need help with rhino information tables, crafts, and letting visitors in to the barn for tours. We need 1-2 people per shift.

Rhino Barn Check-in - 10:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 1 - 3 p.m.
Craft Station - 10:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 1 - 3 p.m.
(Info Table is full)




PRIVATE EVENT HELPER: The below tour shifts require a prerequisite of Interpretation Basics and Tour Basics training (or previous classic docent training). Please call us or sign-up via Myimpact once shifts are up and available.

Peckham Private Event Helper - 9/24 - 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. - Need 6
HELP SORT SEEDS from our native wildflower garden:
We will have a "Seed Sorting Kit" to check out with all you need, then return the sorted seeds to the zoo in a week’s time or less.

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE: Last week of October. Seeds will then be packaged and sold in our gift shop to raise money for Monarch conservation. Please contact Megan at 517-342-2713 or email here HERE to learn more about and sign-up for this opportunity.
BIG ZOO LESSON (BZL): The below tour shifts require a prerequisite of Interpretation Basics and Tour Basics training (or previous classic docent training). Please call us or sign-up via Myimpact once shifts are up and available.

Rhino Lesson - 9/22 - 12:35 - 1:35 p.m. (must be trained)
Rhino Lesson Shadow - 9/22- 12:35-1:35 p.m.
Modern Zoo Tour - 9/27 - 10 - 11:15 a.m.
What's for Lunch Tour - 9/27 - 10 - 11:15 a.m.
Rhino Lesson Shadow - 9/29 - 12:45 - 1:45 p.m.
What's for Lunch Tour - 9/30 - 10 - 11:15 a.m.
FALL ZOOTACULAR VOLUNTEER SHIFTS ARE ALL NOW AVAILABLE FOR SIGN-UP!

We have a need for approximately 60 volunteers each day of the 3 weekends in October.

Checkout what may work for you. We so appreciate your help!
Sign-up through your MyImpactPage.com account (or App).
Filter by date or by category
PREVIOUS VOLUNTEER ZOOM
Couldn't make the previous virtual meeting or are unable to join in general?
  
A recording of the previous Volunteer Virtual Meeting is available by CLICKING HERE.
 
You can access the last few months of Volunteer Virtual Recording links in the MyImpact activity description. Older recordings may deleted, due to digital storage availability.
 
To receive credit after watching this or other recordings - go into your myimpact app or desktop account, then to the Hours tab to log 1 hour for the date you watched the recording.
 
This activity is listed as:
"Volunteer Virtual Meeting - Watched Recording."
VOLUNTEER VIRTUAL MEETING
ALL VOLUNTEER ZOOM MEETING

Join us for a chance to catch up, connect and learn something new too!

 All volunteers may attend and receive 1 hour of volunteer time for participating by signing up ahead of time (see instructions below).*  Your 1 hour will be recorded automatically!

 Next Zoom!

Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022

5:30 p.m.
 We will be returning to Zoom for our meeting platform.

Volunteer Virtual Meeting Agenda
 
5:30 - 5:40 Greetings & General Zoo Updates
5:40 - 5:50 Falconers/DEAI Update
5:50 - 6:05 TBD
6:05 - 6:10 Animal Updates
6:10 - 6:25 General Questions
6:25 - 6:30 Wrap-up


Meeting ID: 882 7314 0696
Passcode: 777989
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,88273140696#,,,,*777989# US (New York)
+13017158592,,88273140696#,,,,*777989# US (Washington DC)

Dial by your location
    +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 882 7314 0696
Passcode: 777989
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kcfFlWVLy7
____________________________

You may also receive credit for watching the Volunteer Virtual Meeting recording - shared in the next newsletter. To do so, go to the category Continuing Education, the to the activity, "Volunteer Virtual Meeting" - Watched Recording." Submit your hour after watching through the Hours tab; log 1 hour for this activity and put in the meeting date you watched for "date volunteered."
 
Upcoming Virtual Meetings:
  • 10/5 (Wednesday)
  • 11/9 (Wednesday)
ENRICHMENT/ANIMAL CARE MATERIALS
We are currently taking donations of newspaper for enrichment/animal care. We are still on hold for all other items.

Please bring newspapers and or cereal size or smaller box items to the Discovery Center.

Thank you!
ANIMAL SPOTLIGHT
ANIMAL UPDATES
Reminder: The zoo animal information you see in this section is NOT FOR PUBLIC SHARING. Please keep this information within our Zoo Team family only. Even if you hear a keeper share this information, we ask that you not do so until it has been shared publicly on social media. Thank you!
  • Bintlets - Made their debut in their outside habitat last week! At this time, they will be out periodically on a limited basis with keeper supervision.

  • Binturong Outside Shelter - The binturong's outside habitat also got an addition of a new shelter to replace the log that collapsed recently!

  • Baby Lemur - The baby lemur also made his outside debut this week. Their outside enclosure has been secured with the addition of the same fencing used at the kangaroo exhibit for easier visibility.
BIRTHDAYS and APPRECIATION
We wish the following a very Happy Birthday!

  • Eddy Martinez - 9/16
  • Mary Henry - 9/22
  • John McIntyre - 9/26
Thank you to volunteers Ann and Lori who have spent many hours painting artificial plants with glow in the dark paint. The plants will be featured in the newly resurrected "Black Light Room" at Fall Zootacular!

Thank you!
VOLUNTEER FACEBOOK PAGE
Did you know there is a PPZ Volunteer Facebook Group?

There is... and we'd love for you to join!

REASONS TO JOIN:

  • Connect with other volunteers
  • Find out about last minute volunteer needs & updates
  • Learn about relevant conservation information

Search for Potter Park Zoo Volunteers on Facebook and request to join.
Note: This page is for current or former PPZ volunteers only.
CONSERVATION CORNER
Researchers complete first comprehensive threat assessment of all U.S. trees
 
by Aimee Gabay, November 19, 2021


For the first time, researchers have completed threat assessments for all 881 native tree species in the contiguous United States, resulting in a comprehensive checklist and synthesis that will serve as a critical baseline to guide future tree conservation efforts.
MYIMPACT TUTORIAL
My Impact App & MyImpactPage.com
Video Tutorial!

Has it been awhile since you've signed-in or signed-up? Need help with how to access your account or how to find Volunteer Opportunities? We have a video tutorial for both the MyImpact App and MyImpactPage.com. Click on the videos below for instructions, even if you just need a refresher.
RECYCLING RESOURCES
recycling_girl.jpg

Recycling Resources
(click each name to find out more)




Lake Lansing Rd & Frandor Kroger has a kiosk!

POTTER PARK ZOO VOLUNTEER PROGRAM