Silver Spring, MD, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recognizing the importance of taking direct action to help preserve our planet, members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) are springing into action and hosting family-friendly events designed to encourage volunteerism and help the environment.
“AZA-accredited facilities are experts at connecting families to nature. Party for the Planet® offers families the perfect opportunity to visit their local AZA-accredited facility, celebrate the Earth’s biodiversity, and learn how they can take action to make a difference,” said AZA President and CEO Dan Ashe. “AZA-accredited facilities are working to help save species worldwide, and inspire the next generation of conservationists to action. We are so grateful to the Disney Conservation Fund for helping AZA members make an even bigger impact this year with grant support for volunteer activities. The events our members have planned are inspiring and impactful, and I encourage families everywhere to find their local event and get involved!”
For the past 20 years, members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums have celebrated our planet with Party For The Planet® events from Earth Day (April 22) to World Oceans Day (June 8). This year, Party For The Planet features a new theme – “Spring Into Action,” bringing a clear focus to and alignment with one of AZA's calls to action – Volunteer.
Bolstered by the financial support from the Disney Conservation Fund, AZA members from around the country will be offering opportunities for families to volunteer to improve our planet, through activities like trash clean-ups, bioblitzes, habitat restoration, and native planting activities.
Fifty accredited facilities have received $2,000 in grant funds to support event activities. Every facility holding an event during the April to June timeframe will be eligible to compete to designate the recipients of $35,000 in conservation donations.
Signature events will occur in five cities across the country: Brevard, Fla., Chicago, Ill., Los Angeles, Calif., New York City, N.Y., Philadelphia, Pa., and San Francisco, Calif.
Party For The Planet is the largest combined Earth Day, Endangered Species Day, and World Oceans Day celebration in North America. Past events at participating zoos and aquariums have included education and conservation presentations, keeper talks, environmental activities, and more. In total, over 120 AZA members will be hosting Spring Into Action events during the 48 days.
More information about AZA’s Party For The Planet: Spring Into Action efforts can be found at http://www.aza.org/party-for-the-planet
About AZA
Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and ten other countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org.
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