Party for the Planet
May 15 and 16
Sponsored by American Transmission Company

Polar bear

Engage in Some Fowl Play During
Party for the Planet at the Zoo

The Milwaukee County Zoo is going green during “Party for the Planet,” sponsored by American Transmission Company. To commemorate both “Earth Day” and “International Migratory Bird Day,” the Zoo will be hosting this fun and educational celebration Saturday, May 15 and Sunday, May 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Come enjoy a variety of eco-friendly family fun activities all weekend long! Visitors are encouraged to bring in old cell phones for recycling: simply drop them off at the Zoo’s U.S. Bank Gathering Place, and we’ll take care of the rest!

Highlights of the day’s events include:

  • “Migration Game:” Kids can “fly” through the Zoo just as a bird would on its migratory journey! Bands similar to bracelets are given to kids to wear as they learn how scientists band birds for research. Then, they’ll embark on a “migration” across the Zoo, visiting stopover sites where they may encounter problems that a bird faces on its journey.

  • “Nature and Conservation-Related Outreach Booths:” Learn more about what you can do to help preserve resources by visiting outreach booths in the U.S. Bank Gathering Place. A few of the participants include: Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful, Wildlife in Need Center, and many more!

  • “American Transmission Company (ATC):” Learn how ATC enhances the environment along its transmission line rights-of-way by planting native species. Here, visitors will receive a free native Wisconsin wildflower seed packet, a temporary tattoo and a bookmark with facts about the endangered species that ATC is helping to protect in Wisconsin.

  • “Bird Banding:” Visitors can watch birds being banded by zookeepers and have the chance to release a bird! (The banding takes place from 9 a.m. to noon behind the Small Mammals Building – Saturday only.)

  • “American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK):  In conjunction with Acres for Atmosphere and Polar Bears International, AAZK offers insight as to why global   warming may be leading to the demise of the polar bear.  Receive a white spruce
    seedling and learn how planting trees helps reduce carbon dioxide that leads to climate change.

Other highlights include the Greater Milwaukee Wildfowl Carvers demonstrations of woodcarving, musical performances by The Chickadees, a nature-friendly rock band, art creations made from earth-friendly materials, and the UW-Extension Master Gardeners sharing the best ways to attract butterflies to your own backyard.

Visitors to “Party for the Planet” can join in these activities and learn that recycling and conservation can be made fun! All activities are free with regular Zoo admission.

Special thanks to our Party for the Planet sponsor:
American Transmission Company