PRESS ROOM

ROYAL OAK, Mich., 

It’s easy being green at the Detroit Zoo!

The Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) will ring in Earth Month this April with a weekend celebration featuring two events designed to restore the planet, keep the environment clean and encourage guests to live greener lives.

“Environmental sustainability and conservation are core goals of the DZS mission, and we are bringing our mission to the community with these two events,” said DZS Manager of Sustainability Andy McDowell. “This spring, we are shining a light on recycling, so these events will show the community how we can divert waste from the landfill in ways that spark creativity and inspire sustainable change.”

Two events will be hosted at the Detroit Zoo on Saturday, April 15 and Sunday, April 16, including:

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 15-16 — GreenFest

GreenFest, the Zoo’s annual sustainability celebration, returns from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 15-16. Presented by Consumers Energy, this weekend-long festival features a sustainable vendor market, a variety of eco-friendly food trucks, live music, education stations and green activities, including crafts, showcases from local environmental organizations, a scavenger hunt and much more. With a theme of “In With the Old,” this year’s festival will focus on re-purposing old materials into new products — saving the planet by diverting from the landfill one item at a time.

Guests will also be able to chat with our animal care staff about their favorite animals during planned habitat chats:

Saturday, April 15

• 10 a.m. — Massasauga rattlesnake (Holden Reptile Conservation Center)
• 11 a.m. — Vultures
• 1 p.m. — Japanese giant salamanders (National Amphibian Conservation Center)
• 2 p.m.— Gorillas

Sunday, April 16

• 10 a.m. — Massasauga rattlesnake (Holden Reptile Conservation Center)
• 11 a.m. — Vultures
• 1 p.m. — Hellbenders (National Amphibian Conservation Center)
• 2 p.m. — Grizzly bears

GreenFest is free for members and included with Detroit Zoo admission. The event is also sponsored by Meijer.

 

9 a.m. to noon April 15-16 — E-Recycling Event

The DZS is partnering with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy to host a free E-Recycling Event at the Detroit Zoo. From 9 a.m. to noon April 15-16, community members can divert waste from local landfills by recycling old electronics at the Zoo. Items can be dropped off at the large surface parking lot along 10 Mile Road.

Recyclable items include:

• All TVs and monitors (flatscreen, CRT, etc.)
• Printers
• Computers and laptops
• Cell phones and tablets
• And more!

For a full list of recyclable items and guidelines, visit detroitzoo.org/events.

For each driver who brings items for recycling, the DZS will gift one admission ticket (two for large loads) to the Detroit Zoo, redeemable through Dec. 31, 2023. Best of all, guests can use their tickets the same day they receive them to join in on all the fun at GreenFest!

“We can’t wait to see everyone at the Zoo for these two special events,” McDowell said. “GreenFest and our E-Recycling Event are opportunities for people of all ages to engage in sustainability best practices that contribute to a healthier and greener future.”

For more information, visit detroitzoo.org/events.