Volunteer Updates & Opportunities
Calling All Volunteers – We Need You for Bourbon Flights!
Event Date: Thursday, May 8th
Volunteer Shift: 6:30–10:00pm
(Note: Toast to the Wild events have been extended by 30 minutes this year!)
Bourbon Flights is just around the corner, and we’re raising a glass (or a few!) to the amazing volunteers who make it all happen. This year, we need more toast-worthy volunteers than ever — 65+! Whether you’re a seasoned pourer or a first-time greeter, there’s a role for everyone.
- Volunteer Roles include:
- 🥃 Pouring Volunteers
- 🎟 Raffle Attendants
- 👋 Greeters
- Timeline:
- 🍕 5:30pm – Pizza provided for volunteers
- 📣 5:45pm – Mandatory orientation
- 📍 6:15pm – Head to assigned stations
- 🎉 6:30pm – Event begins
- 🎊 10:00pm – Event ends
Sign up here: Click Here to Sign Up to Volunteer
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REMINDER – Exciting Volunteer Exclusive Event – Back by Popular Demand!
Last year, we hosted a special Volunteer Exclusive event featuring our incredible Curator Team, and it was a fantastic afternoon! If you attended, you know what a treat it was.
Great news—our Animal Leadership Team is bringing the experience back this season as a thank you for all the amazing things you do at the Zoo! While Volunteer Appreciation Week officially kicks off on April 20th, we’re starting the celebration early with this fun and engaging chat.
Event Details
- Tuesday, April 8th
- 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Frisch’s Theater
If you’d like to attend, be sure to sign up in Better Impact under Adult Volunteer Activities and Events. As always, we will do our best to record this experience so that we can provide recordings for anyone that cannot attend.
And don’t forget to check next month’s Volunteer Update for more details on Volunteer Appreciation Week!
Zoo Updates
Make us the Champs!
We’re in the final 4 in Local 12’s Cincinnati Madness bracket. Your vote can help us get to the finals! Cincinnati Bracket Final Four
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Zoo Blooms
Zoo Blooms, presented by Delta Dental, is a month-long celebration of our Botanical Gardens with over 100,000 blooming tulips as the highlight. Peak tulip bloom will be in a week or so, but there are lots of other plants and trees in bloom now.
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March 22nd – Celebrating World Water Day
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4/2 – Happy Birthday Rico!
Rico celebrated his 9th birthday with a special cake made of produce, peanut butter and popcorn!
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Check out the Zookeeper feature in the Cincinnati/NKY Visitor’s Guide
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Pin Trading has begun
Check out Lightning with her cute pin – it has been a hot pin trade:
Our Pin Trading was even featured on YahooNews! – Click Here to Read the Article
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150 years of wildlife and wonder at Cincinnati Zoo
Check out Zoo Director Thane Maynard’s feature with blooloop!
Click Here to Read the Article
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Horticulture Installs Holistic Healing Garden for Teen Families in Avondale – by Jada Rushing, Americorps Sustainability
Great news from the Sustainability and Horticulture Teams! We have partnered with Rosemary’s Babies Co. on a multi-phase garden renovation for the Holloway House and Resource Center, a North Avondale residence for teen parents and their children. After much anticipation, Holloway House will officially open at the end of this month on March 30th, 2025. Keep reading for details on this vital community organization and Horticulture’s impressive contribution to their yard!
What is the Holloway House?
Founded by Rosemary Oglesby-Henry of Rosemary’s Babies Co., the Holloway House is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to supporting teen parent families. It offers a safe and nurturing environment with various services, including healthy living spaces, educational opportunities, wellness support, and transitional housing.
Key features include:
- Levi’s Outdoor Play Area, a Holistic Healing Garden & Play Area
- a STEM Lab
- Habegger Library
- Levi’s Learning Lab
- 7 bedrooms, five bathrooms, shared office spaces, a full kitchen, and multi-use areas
The Resource Center for teen parents will open on Sunday, March 30th. Operating hours will be Mon-Thurs 8am-8pm, where parents will be able to access the STEM Lab, Library and educational areas for babies. Housing for incoming residents will not be open until Fall/ Winter 2025.
CZBG Horticulture Garden Project
This multi-year installation was completed in two phases, between 2023 and 2025.
Phase 1: Outdoor Play Area and Front Lawn
- CZBG Horticulture and Architecture teams surveyed the site to create a comprehensive landscape plan.
- The Sustainability Team helped the Holloway House write a Keep Cincinnati Beautiful grant, which they received, awarding several thousand dollars to help fund the first phase of the renovation.
- In Fall of 2023, The Zoo’s Horticulture Team then went to work removing some existing landscape hazards, planting the front of the house, and adding in the nature play area.
Phase 2: Holistic Healing Garden
In March of 2025, Horticulture installed the Holistic Healing Garden:
- The Holistic Healing Garden is made up of a Taxus enclosed garden with five raised beds, trees, benches, and other plantings.
- The space will function as a kitchen garden providing fresh herbs, produce, and flowers for residents of the Holloway House.
- It will serve as a living learning space where teen parents can connect with nature and get hands on STEM education on the growth and upkeep of plants and where their children can dig and play.
This project has been a long time coming and could not have been done without the skills, knowledge and dedicated work of the Horticulture Team!
Special thanks to Mark Fisher and our fellow staff across departments, for supporting this project and partnership. Many colleagues have donated time or resources to Rosemary’s Babies Co. and the Holloway House:
Horticulture, Sustainability, Architecture and Planning, Conservation, Purchasing, Administration, Visitor Experience, Marketing and Communications – The list goes on!
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Sophisticated Living Charity Feature
Plant & Animal Updates
Years of Service(berry) – By Jerome Stenger, Senior Horticulturist
The serviceberry genus (Amelanchier) is undoubtedly having its moment right now thanks to botanist and author Robin Wall Kimmerer’s new book The Serviceberry. I haven’t read it yet, but I can already feel its reach. Well-meaning folk who I would not describe as “plant people” (hi mom) are casually name-dropping the shrubby tree. Its name is on the spring breeze, and the New York Times Best Sellers list, so what better time to highlight the contributions of this versatile plant in our own collection.
All species of serviceberry, despite differences in size and form, generally give us white spring flowers, luscious June berries, vibrant orange autumnal leaf color, smooth gray bark and elegant structure. They can handle sun, shade and a range of soil conditions. Though they are found throughout the world, there are numerous species native to North America, beloved by birds for their berries, by caterpillars for their larval host food, and by humans for their ornamental beauty and cultural history.
At the Zoo, serviceberries have been a landscape staple for over 40 years. Though some may have been planted prior or existed naturally in the landscape, the first serviceberry recorded in our modern plant records database is a Canadian serviceberry (A. canadensis) planted in Children’s Zoo by some guy named Steve Foltz in 1984. Not only does Steve remember planting this (when quizzed, he correctly identified the species and location), he can now say to me with documented proof, “I’ve been planting serviceberries since before you were born.”
Since 1984, we’ve planted 100 serviceberries throughout the Zoo and around 70 of those are still existing. The plant was heavily used during the 2005-2008 landscape renovation of the Education Center. Taller single-trunked Allegheny serviceberries (A. laevis) flank the top of the staircase to Zoo Academy and the right entrance doors to the Education building itself, while multi-stemmed Juneberries (A. lamarckii) and Apple serviceberries (A. x grandiflora) line the paths of the Education rain garden, presenting easy access to the best tasting berries in the genus. Pick them in June before the birds clean them up. You will be shocked and transformed by their deliciousness.
Other prominent planting locations include…
- Vine Street parking lot walk-up ramp, right side (A. lamarckii, 2008)
- Mexican Wolf cabin area (A. x grandiflora, 2005)
- Children’s Zoo entry, right side (A. laevis, 2018)
- African Painted Dog, second viewing (A. laevis, 2014)
In the past four years, we’ve also planted 23 serviceberries throughout the community – at the Rockdale Urban Learning Garden and every other Reds Community Makeover site since, including Lincoln Heights, Madisonville and Bond Hill.
I’m continually surprised by the history of our gardens. Steve and Co. were peppering unique, hard-to-find native serviceberries around the Zoo decades before the native plant movement was even a thing. Doug Tallamy was still 23 years away from writing Bringing Nature Home! I mean, it’s difficult now to source healthy, unique native plant stock. The native plant network in 1984 was essentially a pre-Internet, word of mouth, underground enterprise. Just to score a serviceberry required a special kind of forward thinking and a burning passion for plants. Thankfully, Steve has both.
Kimmerer uses the words abundance and reciprocity as unifying themes in her book (again, haven’t read yet). The next time you walk around the Zoo, think about the abundance of plant life and the reciprocity that surrounds you. And keep an eye out for the white serviceberry blooms during the first two weeks of April!
If you’re still reading, here is a Flicker link to some photos of the serviceberries in our garden!! Photos by Scott Beuerlein.
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4/4 – World Rat Day
Did you know: – Rats actually can “laugh” when tickled, the sound is just too high pitched for humans to hear. – A group of rats are called a “mischief”!
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Even Tilapia Get the VIP Treatment at the Zoo
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Cheetah Cub Update
Sleepy sisters ready for bed. These cheetah Cubs are training to become ambassadors for their species.
Since they are babies – almost 5 months old! – and still learning, they need adult supervision whenever they are in these larger spaces! Keepers were close by in the habitat in case the cubs needed anything! Check the Zoo’s website to see when you might be able to see the cubs in person!
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Caring for the threatened Goliath Beetle
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Harley details
Most people think the black stripes on the Blue-and-gold Macaw’s face are on the skin but in fact they’re a bunch of tiny feathers lined up that he moves while communicating with his body language.
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Arthropod Almanac, Kelli the Bug Salad Huntress – By Mandy Pritchard, Team Leader Insects
If you’ve spent any time at the zoo, especially early in the morning, you’ve probably seen Kelli zooming around on a golf cart, armed with pole pruners, clippers, and an unmistakable sense of purpose. She’s not just out for a joyride—she’s on a daily mission to feed some of the pickiest eaters at the World of the Insect.
Kelli’s Buggy Buffet Service™ currently caters to four species of walking sticks, one species of grasshopper and two enormous leafcutter ant colonies. And let’s be clear—these insects aren’t just picky; they’re absolute divas when it comes to their meals. Their leafy feasts must be fresh, their favorite plant species must be exactly right, and they don’t care if it’s winter, summer, or the apocalypse—they expect to be fed!
One bug may not eat much in a day, but we have well over 400 walking sticks, 100 horse-headed grasshoppers and about 750,000 ants in our care – so the demand for fresh leaves never ends! That’s where Kelli comes in. Nearly every day, she crisscrosses the zoo in search of perfect host plants, gathering five-foot branches to satisfy her clientele. You might spot Kelli behind the education parking lot, tucked behind a wall near the African penguins, or snipping away in the WOTI host plant garden on Beldare Ave (thanks, Horticulture!). She even makes trips to our greenhouse that she manages behind the primate center to keep up with demand. If it’s green and on their menu, she’s tracking it down.
So next time you see Kelli elbow-deep in a shrub, don’t be shy—ask her what’s on the menu! She might just introduce you to the fine art of feeding insects that demand only the best in leafy luxury.
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April 1st – Happy World Water Frog Day!
The Titicaca water frog is a critically endangered, fully aquatic frog that spends its entire life in freshwater, rarely coming to the surface. Rather than breathing air like humans do, the Titicaca water frog absorbs oxygen from the water through its baggy skin. Visit ours in the Reptile House on your next visit.
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Leaf-cutter ants are thriving in their new habitat!
With space & optimal environmental factors, they have started growing their fungus openly. Guests can observe the ants carefully cutting leaves, carrying them back to the nest & expertly adding them to their fungal farms
Conservation Corner
April Showers Bring Art Power: It’s Barrel Season!
The train is running, the tulips are popping up, and the Swan Lake Bridge has once again transformed into an art exhibit. The 13th annual Rain Barrel Art Project is upon us!
The Rain Barrel Art Project is a collaboration between CZBG and Save Local Waters that brings conservation and the arts together. Each year, 40 donated soda drums are transformed into functional works of art by a dedicated group of volunteers—some who are participating for the first time, others who are on their fifth or sixth barrel! The general public can bid on barrels throughout the month of April, and the highest bidders get to take these beauties home to capture and reuse rainwater on their own property.
NEW THIS YEAR: We believe that everybody should have the chance to participate in this meaningful project, so for the first time, we have several barrels that will be raffled off to 4 lucky winners! These barrels were designed and painted by our very own Zoo Academy juniors and seniors, our stellar AmeriCorps crew, and HamCo Conservation District’s ORBCorps AmeriCorp team. You can enter the raffle by visiting here! You can also get in on the auction action by visiting here. (There are signs with QR codes located on the bridge as well!)
The Cincinnati Zoo has modeled for visitors and employees alike the importance of capturing rainwater and reducing runoff thanks to the use of pervious pavement, strategic green spaces, and of course, our remarkable collection tanks underneath Africa, Roo Valley, and Elephant Trek. Rain barrels are another way you can help out your local watershed while conserving water to use in times of drought. Follow Save Local Waters on social media to discover more opportunities to obtain and use rain barrels throughout the year!
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Sponsor a Wildlife Camera | Bring The Elephant Home
Help our partners in Thailand reach their fundraising goal by sharing this page with friends, family, and on your social channels!
Click the link to learn more: https://bring-the-elephant-home.org/sponsor-a-wildlife-camera/
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Power Up Cincinnati! Share Your Thoughts on Solar Energy! – by Jada Rushing, Americorps Sustainability
Our partners at the City of Cincinnati’s Office of Environment and Sustainability (OES) want to hear from you about your interest, preferences, barriers, and successes to expanding solar energy in Cincinnati. How can you help make City processes easier, for solar?
By taking this short 7-14 question survey:
If you would like to receive periodic updates about the City of Cincinnati’s efforts and ways to engage, submit your email at the end of the survey or visit their webpage at https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/planning/projects/active/zoning-study-and-text-amendments-to-reduce-barriers-for-expanding-solar-energy/
City Progress To Date:
In early 2024, City Administration committed to becoming a SolSmart designated community. SolSmart is a certification program for local governments seeking to reduce solar energy barriers, clarify/simplify processes, and improve solar market conditions.
The Office of Environment and Sustainability (OES) in partnership with the Department of City Planning and Engagement (DCPE) and the Department of Buildings and Inspections (B&I) achieved SolSmart Bronze Certification in October 2024! Now, they’re aiming higher—pursuing advanced certification and exploring code updates to streamline solar installation. To kickstart this effort, they gathered insights from businesses, workers, nonprofits, banks, and residents, leading to the development of these new resources:
- · Solar Landing Page
- · Solar Zoning Clarification Letter
- · Solar Zoning Fact Sheet
- · Solar Permitting Checklist
Green Cincinnati Plan
Did you know that the Zoo is a Champion partner in implementing priority actions of the Green Cincinnati Plan (GCP)?
The GCP prioritizes energy-efficient buildings and clean energy to create a healthier, more equitable, and resilient city. Key strategies include deep energy retrofits, renewable energy adoption, and electrification. New federal funding has expanded opportunities for energy efficiency, offering tax credits to homeowners and businesses, while nonprofits, religious institutions, and governments can benefit through direct payment programs to make solar and energy-efficient upgrades more affordable.
Explore these resources to learn more about climate solutions in Cincinnati:
Tackling Climate Change in Your Own Backyard
Concerns about climate change and the environment are harming our collective mental health. A study by Pew Research Center found that a majority of Americans believe climate change is harming people in this country, and 63 percent expect things to ge…
In Case You Missed It
New Volunteer Opportunity with the Development Team
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is seeking a dedicated and organized crew of Special Event Lead Volunteers to support and coordinate the execution of volunteer initiatives for the Zoo’s Special Events and Development Events.
Click Here to Read the Volunteer Opportunity Description _ Development Volunteer.docx
Click Here to Apply – Do you know an individual who is not a current volunteer and might be interested? Next week this position will be posted externally as well!
Make sure to keep an eye on the website for a new role in education as well!
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Natural History Lecture Series for Volunteers
Carol facilitated her first Lecture this week and it was a smashing success with many kudos sent her way by attendees! If you would like to attend a future session, please sign up for the event in Better Impact! Arrival information is sent out 2-3 days before the event with all the logistic information.
Schedule and Topics:
- Tuesday January 14, 2025 – Cat-like Carnivores
- If you missed the lecture, or would like to review the material, check out the link below
- Trosset 202501 Cat-Like Carnivores.pdf
- Tuesday February 11, 2025 – Vernal Pools
- If you missed the lecture, or would like to review the material, check out the link below
- 202502 Trosset Vernal Pools.pdf
- Thursday March 13, 2025 – Dog-like Carnivores
- The suborder Caniformia includes wolves, foxes, weasels, bears, and more. We’ll discuss their defining characteristics, then visit several zoo habitats to observe seven species on display.
- Trosset 202503 Dog-Like Carnivores.pdf
- Thursday April 10, 2025 – Woodland Wildflowers
- Cincinnati’s woodlands are home to many species of wildflowers, which bloom in the early spring before the trees leaf out. We will examine the different types of spring wildflowers, their ecology, and their blooming sequence.
- Tuesday May 13, 2025 – Introduction to Birdwatching
- Early May brings many migratory birds to Cincinnati. We’ll cover key features for identifying bird species, followed by birdwatching on zoo grounds. Bring binoculars if you can; a limited number will be available to borrow.
- Thursday June 12, 2025 – Primates **DATE CHANGE**
- Primates are categorized into prosimians, Old World monkeys, New World monkeys, and apes—all represented at the zoo. We’ll discuss their similarities and differences, then observe members of each group on exhibit.
Sign up for all lectures in Better Impact! Please RSVP by registering in the system. If you can’t attend, we’ll aim to record and share the lecture portion with all volunteers. We hope to see you there!
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Let’s Share some Zoo Memories
For the 150th anniversary I thought it would be fun to gather photos of the volunteers over the years here at the Zoo to showcase how special this place is. My plan is to share these in the updates, but also put together all the photos to share with the staff at the Zoo too. I think every one would love to see where volunteer history and Zoo history collide! Please send your photos to [email protected]. I can’t wait to see them a