First Friday Volunteer Update _ 11/4/2022

Posted on By Amber Suttmiller

First Friday Volunteer Update – November Edition

Volunteer Tickets 

 I still have the Volunteer Tickets available at my desk on the Third Floor of Education.  If I am not at my desk, the Tickets will be in envelopes in the blue hanging file folder with your name on it.  The tickets will remain in the hanging file until November 19th.

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Festival of Lights

You’re Invited!  Active Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Volunteers are invited to join us on Festival of Lights Member Night on Thursday, November 17th.  Please keep an eye out for an e-mail with additional information.
Make sure to check out our newest addition to the FOL Nutcracker Family…Fiona!  Can you find all the Easter eggs mentioned below?

Click Here to Learn More about the Fiona Nutcracker

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New COVID Guidelines

On Friday the HR Department released  new COVID guidelines for Employees and Volunteers.  Below I have included the sections of the policy that apply to Volunteers, the full policy can be found in the Document section of MVP.

 Zoo Updates:

 ZooTales – A Double Dose

We checked in with Mark and Jenna from Hippo Cove to get all the updates about the bloat being reunited!
Click Here to Listen
Hosts Jenna and Mark answer questions you’ve submitted online in this fun new episode of Cincinnati Zoo Tales!
Click Here to Listen

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Bearcat Connections

Did you know University of Cincinnati students and faculty get a chance to work on global wildlife conservation projects with the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden?  There are more connections than you think!
Click Here to Learn More

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Thriller Flash Mob

Who knew we had so many dancers here at the Zoo!

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Youth Climate Action Day

October 22 was Youth Climate Action Day, a day to celebrate all of the incredible ways young people are involved in environmental activism, as well as a day to remind us of what we can all be doing to better serve the environment. As we look ahead to how to create a healthier future for our people and our planet, it’s important to listen to and elevate young voices.
Click Here to Read More

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Enrichment Volunteers in the Spotlight

The Cincinnati Enquirer stopped by City Barn to learn more about our Volunteer Animal Enrichment Team and all the amazing things they do!  Make sure to click on the link below to read this fantastic article!
Click Here to Read the Article

 Just For Fun:

 Reptile & Amphibian Awareness Day

October 21st is Reptile and Amphibian Awareness Day!  So many species to celebrate, one day doesn’t seem like enough!

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Rozi & Daisy

Why…because we all need some cuteness in our lives!

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International Snow Leopard Day

We Celebrated with a Brand New Home Safari, click on the link below to watch!
Click Here to Watch the Home Safari

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International Gibbon Day

On October 24th we say, Happy International Gibbon Day! Gibbons are very vocal, especially in the morning when they begin to emit hooting calls to remind others in the area of their borders. Arms longer than its legs allow the gibbon to cover a great distance, nearly 10ft, with each swing of its body.

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What is in the Photo?

It’s a Pig in a blanket!

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Pumpkin Fun

The end of October brought Pumpkin Fun for animals all around the Zoo

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A Special Retirement

One of the nurses at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center who saved Fiona’s life is retiring. She was presented with a Fiona kiss painting signed by the hippo team to mark the occasion. We are forever grateful to you, Darcy!

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National Black Cat Day

On October 27th we wished a Happy National Black Cat Day to one of the stars of the Cheetah Encounter, Batman!

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World Lemur Day – October 28th

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Wesley

Wesley the river otter is saving his clam for later.

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“Scary Species”…Not to us!

We want to help you fall in love with the “scary species” or species that most people do not find very cute or lovable. Vampire bats rarely attack humans, preferring to feed on livestock and wild mammals such as tapirs and deer. It is a common misconception that vampire bats suck blood. They actually cut a tiny slit in an animal’s skin with their razor-sharp front teeth and lap up the blood. Chemicals in the bat’s saliva prevent clotting so the blood flows freely until it has had its fill, which is generally less than an ounce.
Click Here to Learn More

Plant & Animal Updates:

Little Penguin Update

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Fritz

How much does Fritz weigh?  As of 11/3/2022, Fritz is 302 pounds!  Keep growing, Fritz!

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Remembering Buddy

Buddy the Penguin has held a place in the hearts of many staff members and Zoo visitors over the past 3 decades!  It is always sad to say “goodbye” but reading this beautiful tribute to Buddy from Rickey Kinley will warm your heart and bring a smile to your face!
Click Here to Read More

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Mbeli

Mbeli the new silverback that came to the Cincinnati Zoo a few weeks ago has been exploring the indoor habitat at Gorilla World. He will soon be introduced to his new troop – Chewie, Gladys, Mona, and Elle.

Birthdays

Tommy T – October 28th

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Juanita – 11/3

Conservation News:

 Using Fish Waste and Water to Grow Animal Food?

Click the link below to learn more about the Aquaponics Greenhouse here at the Zoo and what animals are benefiting!
Click Here to Read More

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Did You Know?

CZBG Sustainability team worked with SSA, VE, and Park Services to pilot ZooBrew as CZBG’s first Zero-Waste Event. We chose to focus the diversion of 90% or more of the guest experience waste only from the landfill, not including back-of-house waste related to the event.  The Zoo had yet to hold a Zero-Waste event up until this point, and this was the perfect opportunity to test out a pilot program. 

— How did we do? —

Metrics Report:
Waste Stream 
Total Weight (lbs) 
Trash 
71.81 
Recycling 
49.67 
Compost 
40 
 
Total Waste Weight 
% Diverted 
161.48 
55% 
 
Although we were not able to hit the 90% goal, we were successful in diverting 55% of waste from the Landfill and this was a wonderful learning experience!  There were things that were done well, like clear and concise signage that engaged visitors, but there were other areas where we can improve.   One of the most important areas that we can improve on is telling our story and inspiring everyone around us to live more sustainably.  Every month we will dedicate a portion of our newsletter to learning about what our Sustainability Team has been up to!
This Month, the team wanted to introduce all of you to 2 different organizations who are doing their part for a sustainable future – One Local and one Global.

Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub

The Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub (CRRH, or the Hub) reduces the amount of waste going to landfills through our one-stop drop-off location where we accept items and materials that are recyclable and reusable, even some that are not permitted in traditional recycling bins. The one-stop model is unique in that it saves time, effort, and gas for donors, and it allows for more items to be recycled or reused than the current waste/recycling/reuse infrastructure for the Greater Cincinnati Area does. The Hub is the only organization in Greater Cincinnati accepting such a vast amount of items for the general public to recycle in one place.

Click Here to Learn More

Friends of Bonobos

You may have heard about this organization and their comprehensive and long-term approach to bonobo conservations, but have you heard about the incredible sustainability plan for the shirts they sell in their shop?  Click on the link below to learn more about how they put the environment first when it comes to retail!

Click Here for More Information

Opportunities:

Did you know that we are accepting Applications for several Volunteer Roles here at the Zoo?  Check out the areas that are currently accepting applications and share the links with your Friends and Family!

Zoo Ambassadors _ Weekdays

Zoo Ambassadors _ Weekends

CREW Cat Colony Assistants _ Weekends

 

New Faces:

No new staff faces for this Update, so I thought I would include a new animal face!  Make sure to swing by and visit!

Baby Armadillo Lizard

Visit the new baby armadillo lizard in Dragons! on your next Zoo adventure! The armadillo lizard’s back is covered in hard scales. It defends itself from predators by curling up in a ball to protect its softer underbelly.
  

Contact Information:

Brittany Garera-Stapleton
Volunteer Relations Coordinator
(513)559-7768
[email protected]