ZooLights

Get away from the traffic and crowds and spend a quiet evening at the Zoo with your family. Go for a stroll through brilliantly lit pathways, take a photo with Santa, and enjoy live entertainment. Complimentary hot chocolate and cookies will be served.  PLUS, see the holidays through a whole new light with HoloSpex® glasses*. Choose from 4 patterns of holographic lenses that bend the light creating a magical pattern from every bright point of light. *HoloSpex® glasses will be available for $2 ea.

Admission prices:
Fresno Chaffee Zoo members:  $5 Adult, $3 Child (ages 2-11)
Non-members: $6 Adult, $4 Child (ages 2-11) Children 1 year and under are FREE
Tickets available at the Admissions window for advance purchase and at the door each night of the event.

ZooLights is sponsored by:

Halloween Candy That Makes a Difference for Wild Orangutans

Orangutan Friendly Sustainable Palm Oil Halloween Candy List

This information is meant to be a helpful guide for consumers that are concerned about orangutan conservation and deforestation due to non-sustainable palm oil production in Indonesia and Malaysia. The companies listed below are members of the RSPO (Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil) and are committed to using certified sustainable palm oil. Please support companies that are doing their best to make a difference for orangutans.


Company Name Example Snack Name:

Nestle  -  Baby Ruth, Butterfinger, Crunch Bar
Wonka (Nestle)  - Sweetarts, Bottle Caps, Laffy Taffy, Nerds
ConAgra  -  Fiddle Faddle, Crunch & Munch, Poppy Cock
Kellogg’s  -  Rice Krispie Treats, Fruity Snacks, Pop Tarts
Kellogg’s  - Austin Crackers (all varieties)
Kellogg’s  -  All Keebler Brand Cookies
PepsiCo (Frito Lay) –  Cheetos, Doritos
PepsiCo -   Grandma’s Cookies
Hershey’s  - Twizzlers, Jolly Ranchers, Whoppers
Hershey’s  -  Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Almond Joy
Hershey’s   - Mr. Goodbar, Heath Bars, Milk Duds
Mars  -  Snickers, Twix, M&M’s, 3 Musketeers
Mars  -   Milky Way, Skittles, Dove Chocolates
Justin’s  - Peanut Butter Cups, NutButter (All flavors)
Lindt and Spungli –  Lindor Truffles (All flavors)
Ghirardelli   -All flavors
Walmart  - Great Value Brand products(Candy,Cookies,Crackers etc.)

Click here for a downloadable pdf. Print it and take it with you when you do your shopping.

Note: Any products made by Nestle, Kellogg’s, PepsiCo (Frito Lay),Hershey’s, Mars, Walmart (Great Value Brand) and ConAgra (even if not listed above) are good choices as they are all members of the RSPO.

If you do not find your favorite snack/company on this list, take action by writinga letter and asking the company to join the RSPO and be committed to usingcertified sustainable palm oil. For a sample letter and more information on how you can Make a Difference for Wild Orangutans visit: www.cmzoo.org/conservation/PalmOilCrisis.

ZooBoo!

October 26 & 27
5:00-8:00 p.m.
Join us for our 12th annual ZooBoo celebration, with FOUR nights to choose from! It's a safe, fun, not-so-scary way for families to enjoy the fall holiday. The entire Zoo will be decorated for this special evening of trick-or-treating, carnival games, live entertainment and animal attractions. Get lost in the hay maze, and dance the night away to kid appropriate music, plus, cool NEW additions this year!!!

Children are encouraged to dress in costumes. (Non-scary costumes are appropriate for this event

- please select a costume that is appealing to children and does not contain horror elements of any kind.)

Only adults accompanied by a child or children under 13 years of age will be permitted to wear costumes on Zoo grounds. Adults, please do not wear a full face mask or have your face completely covered.

ZooBoo Ticket Prices:

Fresno Chaffee Zoo Members:
$10 Adults, $8 Child (ages 2 - 11)
(FCZ Members may purchase as many tickets as they like for friends and family at the Member price)

Non-Members:
$12 Adults, $10 Child (ages 2 - 11)

Day of Event (if not sold out):
$14 Adults, $12 Child (ages 2 - 11)

Children 1 and under are FREE




Order tickets online at www.fresnochaffeezoo.org, at the Zoo admission booth or by calling  559-498-5921 M-F 8am-5pm.  

ZooBoo is sponsored by:

Teen L.E.A.D.E.R.S.

Lead by Educating with Activities and Demonstrations on the Environment, Resources and Sciences

30 Day Plastic Challenge Complete!

Howdy everyone!

It’s Shauna Dauderman again, here to tell you about the outcome of my 30 Day Plastic Challenge where I went “single-use plastic free” for thirty days.  

I nicknamed my 30 Day Plastic Challenge “30DPC.” In a nutshell, I challenged myself to go 30 days without any single-use plastic (plastic water bottles, bags, food wrappers, etc.)

July 30^th marked the final day of the 30DPC and it was a success!

That’s right; I went thirty days without ANY single-use plastic. That means I didn’t use any plastic water bottles, plastic utensils, plastic bags, or consume any food that was packaged or wrapped in plastic.

Many of you are probably wondering how I went thirty days without any single-use plastic. Let me just say that one doesn’t have to be a superhero/zoo employee extraordinaire in order to reduce their plastic use- anyone can do it armed with the right information.

That being said, here are some tips on how to be single-use plastic free:

BUYING FOOD: Like any superhero/zoo employee extraordinaire, one needs brains and planning at her/his disposal in order to shop plastic-free! Just think about all the heavy plastic packaging on the items you buy at big warehouse stores….Let me just say that knowing where to buy plastic-free items made the challenge much easier. I had better luck at smaller, independent grocery stores and farmer’s markets than at larger chain stores.

THE RIGHT STUFF: Having the right equipment at all times is absolutely essential. To stay hydrated while doing superhero-related activities, keep a reusable canteen or tumbler with you at all times! In addition to tumblers, I used a Brita water filter to purify my tap water instead of buying bottled water.

 
Also, always carry a few canvas bags in the trunk of your superhero-mobile, or get one of those nifty ones that fold into their own tiny case for your purse, pocket or backpack. You never know when you need to run into the store for something quick! There were instances where I had to carry more than seven items out to my car because I forgot my canvas bags and refused to use plastic. That being said, having a stash of reusable bags with you is never a bad idea. Carrying a set of metal utensils also makes a big difference. This superhero loves to go out for ice cream after a long day of superhero-ing, so having a metal spoon in my bag prevented me from using the plastic spoons that most ice cream parlors offer.

After mastering the tricks of the trade, being single-use plastic free became second nature to me.

I didn’t realize how dependent I was on plastic until I challenged myself to go thirty days without it. While I did go without some things (like Advil and granola bars) to make a point, some of my plastic-free habits will stick with me (like using tumblers and canvas bags instead of plastic bottles and plastic bags).I got creative with it, talked to lots of people about it (random fast food employees included), and rejoiced over accomplishing a goal very near and dear to my heart.

So, everyone, flex your superhero powers and see how well you can do! Are any of you up to the challenge?

Safari Night 2012 (21+ and over)

Friday, September 21, 2012
6:00pm - Midnight 

It's the most enchanting fund-raising event of the year. Walk the red carpet through the double doors of the Zoo entrance to find yourself in a beautifully unique setting. Roam through the lush grounds and enjoy hors d'oeuvres and entrees stationed throughout the Zoo from a variety of Valley restaurants and caterers. Visit the wine garden or brewery station while you visit with friends and enjoy the various culinary creations and take some time to bid on some great items at the silent auction. 

As late afternoon turns to dusk, you'll make your way to our Dining Garden, where you'll find your table, enjoy desserts & cocktails under the tree canopies, and a fantastic live auction. Finally, let loose and dance the night away to The Valley Cats Band at this unique evening under the stars!

Safari Night 2012 is sponsored by:

Safari Night Ticket Prices: (All persons attending must be 21+)

Individual tickets: $65 per person (non-member)

Individual tickets: $55 per person (Fresno Chaffee Zoo Member)

$650 table of 10 “Cypress Cove” level
- Reserved table
- (2) bottles of wine on table
- Gifts on table
- Half-page B&W ad in Safari Night Program*

$2,500 table of 10 “Blue Fish Cove” level
- All benefits of the “Cypress Cove” level
Plus,
- Reserved seating
- Access to VIP Champagne & hors d’ oeuvres reception at Sea Lion Cove
- Upgraded to full-page ad in Safari Night program*

$5,000 table of 10 “Pinnacle Cove” level
- All benefits of “Blue Fish Cove” level
Plus,
- Table in VIP pavilion
- Champagne on table
- Butler service
- Private VIP tour for 10 of Sea Lion Cove – TBD at mutually agreeable date.

Order tickets online at www.fresnochaffeezoo.org or by calling (559)498-5921

*Ad specifications:
Half-page ads are 5.25”w x 4”h.
Full-page ads are 5.25”w x 8.25”h.

Please email your ad in pdf, jpeg, tiff, eps, psd, or ai format to hdavis@fresnochaffeezoo.org or call 559-498-5926. All art and/or logos MUST be received no later than Friday, September 14, 2012.

CBS47 Grandparents Day

http://www.cbs47.tv/Grandparents-Day-2012



Grandparents, join CBS47 for Grandparents Day on Sunday, September 9th at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo.

Visit the CBS47 Grandparents Expo inside the zoo from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with dozens of organizations with products and services just for Grandparents.


National Grandparents Day

President Jimmy Carter signed the proclamation creating a National Grandparents Day, little did anyone know how it would grow. At the time, Carter said the holiday would recognize "the importance and worth of the 17 million grandparents in our nation."

Barely a generation later, there are now more than 70 million grandparents in the United States. 

On September 9, 2012, Grandparents Day will reach its 33rd anniversary. It's a time for family celebration, and a chance to honor the important role grandparents play in children's lives.  Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade, an Oak Hill, W. Va., housewife, founded the holiday. McQuade had worked with senior citizens for many years and her original idea for the holiday was not only to recognize grandparents but also to bring attention to the needs of people living in nursing homes.

According to AARP, 4.5 million children are being raised in households headed by grandparents. For those kids and millions of others, grandparents create special relationships and impart lessons that last a lifetime.

As Carter wrote, "Grandparents are our continuing tie to the near-past, to the events and beliefs and experiences that so strongly affect our lives and the world around us."

CBS47 and The Chaffee Zoo have partnered to celebrate Grandparents day and recognized the power grandparents have in the lives of countless generations.

CBS47's Grandparents Day is sponsored in part by the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, the Fresno County Public Library and the Fresno-Madera Area Agency on Aging as well as these participating sponsors.

DINO NITE

 

September 8, 2012

5:00p.m. to 9:00p.m.

Join us at Fresno Chaffee Zoo for an evening of prehistoric proportions! Join us at Fresno Chaffee Zoo for an evening of prehistoric proportions! Hang out with Buddy the Dinosaur from Dinosaur Train, uncover bones in Dino Dig, see Ross Laird’s Winged Wonders Bird Show,  enjoy a screening of  ValleyPBS’ top rated children’s show Dinosaur Train. Enjoy arts & crafts tables, dinosaur bio-facts, vendor booths and the BFF Express (a private breast feeding and diaper changing area provided by First 5 Fresno County), returns for an encore! Plus, Meet Mr. Steve from PBS Kids and see the Diamonds in the Rough Band on the Diamond Stage!

Ticket prices:

ValleyPBS or Fresno Chaffee Zoo Members:

$12 Adult and $9 Child (ages 2 -11yrs)

Non-Members: $15 Adults and $12 Child (ages 2 - 11yrs)

Children 1yr and under are FREE

Tickets are available for purchase at www.FresnoChaffeeZoo.org and www.ValleyPBS.org, or by calling 559-498-5921 or 559-266-1800

Dino Nite is presented by Fresno Chaffee Zoo and ValleyPBS.

Dino Nite is sponsored by:
DLC L.I.F.E., California Kidds Pediatric Dentistry, Lennar, Veterinary Emergency Services, Bank of the Sierra, Valley Teen Ranch, Anthem Blue Cross, and EHS Medical Group.

Teen L.E.A.D.E.R.S.

Lead by Educating with Activities and Demonstrations on the Environment, Resources and Sciences

Join Me and Be Plastic Free!

Hello all! My name is Shauna Dauderman and I'm a Fresno Chaffee Zoo employee and the mastermind of the 30 Day Plastic Challenge, which I’ve nicknamed “30DPC”.

This is my personal journey on the plastic challenge path, avoiding single-use plastic and, so far, it has been smooth sailing.

July 10th marked the first ten days of the 30DPC and a majority of those ten days were spent on a family vacation away from home.

I was in Los Angeles on day one of the Plastic Challenge and, although the city is a huge, urban metropolis, it was not difficult to find substitutes for plastic. My family stayed in Embassy Suites for two days, which offered a continental breakfast that was completely plastic-free. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Dodger Stadium in downtown L.A. offered almost all concessions in cardboard containers and glass bottles.

Shortly after returning home, I shopped for items that were free of any single-use plastic. I invested in some canvas bags and was absolutely thrilled to find peanut butter in glass jars.

On vacation, I couldn't help but pick up the
non-decomposable plastic that I saw lying
around on Cayucos Beach

I was on a roll until my local supermarket would not let me purchase fresh produce without a plastic bag. I did end up purchasing the produce and made a mental note to save the bags and use them again or to buy produce at a Farmer's Market where plastic bags are not a requirement for purchase.

On July 2nd, the Teen LEADERS volunteer program went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium to collaborate with their volunteers and to enjoy the aquarium. My brown-bag sack lunch that day consisted of an orange, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with bread that was purchased wrapped in paper, and fresh cucumbers and carrots that I packed in re-usable Tupperware. 

The last three days of my vacation were spent in Morro Bay, California. I brought my plastic-free groceries with me for snacks and did not use a straw or plastic utensil whenever my family ate out.

Although it has been challenging at times, my experience with the 30DPC has been extremely rewarding. I have never felt as fulfilled as I have now, explaining how I am doing my part to conserve and do what I love. Are YOU up to the challenge? Follow along with other Teen LEADERS' 30DPC journey on our blog. Looking forward to sharing other ways we can be plastic-free!

Teen L.E.A.D.E.R.S

Lead by Educating with Activities and Demonstrations on the Environment, Resources and Sciences

It was 6:45 AM Monday morning, and 32 teens were loading on a bus for the 3 hour drive that lay ahead of them. But these weren't just any normal teenagers, and this wasn't any normal bus ride. These were FCZ Teen LEADERS, and we were on our way to the Monterey Bay Aquarium!

                        The aquarium welcomed us with open arms- or should I say fins? flippers? tentacles? They have a teen program very similar to ours, focused on sharing messages about why we should care about wildlife and how we can protect our planet. We made this trip to meet them first-hand and share ideas, tour the aquarium, and of course have a lot of fun! The aquarium staff planned an exciting day for us with behind-the-scene tours, walks around the aquarium, icebreaker games, lunch on the beach, and I've got to say, the most entertaining game of beach tag I have ever played!

            According to Teen LEADER Sam, the best part of the day was touring the aquarium with the MBA volunteers. "We got to see all the cool, engaging parts of the aquarium, like the Kelp Forest and new ‘Jellies Experience’ exhibit. It was fun spending the day with teens our own age that share common interests." Another highlight was spending time in their Discovery Lab, where we got hands-on with some underwater critters such as sea stars, urchins and decorator crabs. We even got to feed an abalone its lunch!  

            Our trip to Monterey was definitely one to remember. Teen LEADER Monica knew just how to recap the best parts of her day, "Playing on the beach! Tours! Meeting new people and really getting to know them!" The experience of connecting with and learning from so many others who care about the oceans and the future of our planet was encouraging, energizing, and reminded us all why we volunteer our time to help our environment as Teen LEADERS. 

            This trip, along with all parts of the Teen LEADERS program, was made possible by a grant from The Ocean Project. We would like to thank them for their very generous sponsorship not only to this program, but to other ocean conservation projects world-wide.

Teen L.E.A.D.E.R.S

Lead by Educating with Activities and Demonstrations on the Environment, Resources and Sciences

Paying It Forward

As a Teen LEADER veteran, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in truly unique experiences that make for great memories. I’ve traveled, canoed, and cleaned up local rivers, but no experience has been more rewarding than working the Activity Station cart. Through working with young zoo visitors at the cart, I’ve learned that the true basis of making a change is simple—interaction and influence. It is there, during the hot summer, at the zoo, behind the cart where I feel closest to the cause of inspiring people to help our environment in simple, everyday ways.

 

As a student, a daughter, and a teenager, I’m always being taught and always being influenced—never really influencing. Sure, I’m getting smarter and growing wiser every day, but what good are knowledge and wisdom if they are never shared? When I’m out at the cart, sharing my experience, knowledge, and awareness with both children and parents alike, I feel like it’s all worth something. Last Tuesday, my friend Sam and I were at the cart doing a simple activity that illustrates the function of blubber using a glove filled with Crisco and ice water. A small figurine of a harbor seal sat on the cart, which drew the attention of a very young girl. Before the activity, I asked her what animal it was. Without hesitation, she said, “Pacific harbor seal”. I was shocked—this girl was still in diapers! Her interest and specificity at such a young age inspired me to share what I know with children even more.

Similar to our cart activities, the childhood stories’ ability to simplify complicated morals and concepts that are growing more and more complex with time astounds me. I take these concepts to heart, and love the simplicity with which I am able to educate children on unfortunate issues that generations of today will leave in their hands to fix.

Stay Young,

Hunter Laningham

Teen L.E.A.D.E.R.S.

Lead by Educating with Activities and Demonstrations on the Environment, Resources and Sciences

Greetings readers!

My name is Jared Price. I am an educator at Fresno Chaffee Zoo and just finished my junior year at Los Banos High School. The past two weeks I took a little time off my job for a vacation in Italy (my first trip to Europe!) but I still managed to take a little bit of the zoo with me.

Everywhere I traveled I brought along my red Fresno Chaffee Zoo water bottle to help:

• Reduce my own consumption of single-use plastic water bottles

• Show all of the teens I was traveling with just how easy it is to go REUSABLE

And I made sure to photograph the entire journey!

Choosing a reusable water bottle over single-use plastic is SO IMPORTANT to our environment because:

• Using the same reusable bottle multiple times, you can save hundreds of plastic water bottles from ending up in landfill or as litter that eventually drifts down rivers and into the sea

Reusable water bottle making history at the Roman Coliseum!

• Plastics often find their way into our local ecosystems where they can endanger native wildlife

• Choosing to use a reusable water bottle also can save you a lot of money - Just think about much money you spend buying bottled water. After all, isn’t it just water?

• You’re saving WATER by going reusable- did you know it takes an average of 1.5 gallons of water just to MAKE a normal sized single-use bottle? That doesn’t even count the water needed to fill it!

• Reduce your carbon footprint and energy use- even producing and recycling plastic bottles uses a lot of energy!

Making a pit stop at the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Throughout my trip, I took my FCZ water bottle everywhere. From the ancient ruins of the Roman Coliseum, to the canals of Venice, and even to seaside cliffs of Sorrento, my bottle was by my side. In fact, it was pretty nice always having it with me. I saved a lot of money by not buying water. In Italy an average size bottle of water would commonly sell for 3 euro!  That means over the course of my 10 day trip I saved at least $38 US dollars! It was also a lot of fun. Commonly when photographing my bottle I’d get some funny looks, but that was a great part of sharing my message when I got to explain the reasons behind my funny antics to those I was with.

So how can YOU help? One easy thing to do is commit to carrying your favorite reusable water bottle. It’s really not that hard, I took mine all over Italy!  

Jared Price

Educator, Fresno Chaffee Zoo

Producers Dairy Ice Cream Zoofari

August 11, 2012 
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Producers Dairy Ice Cream Zoofari, a summertime tradition for over twenty years, will take place at Fresno Chaffee Zoo on Saturday, August 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. Beat the heat in this all-you-can-eat ice cream FUNdraiser. Enjoy unlimited ice cream, sherbets, frozen yogurt, sundaes and smoothies with zoo-centric names such as Rocky Toad, Mint Monkeys ‘n Cream, and Cockatoo Cookie Dough. Guests will satisfy their sweet cravings while strolling through the Zoo and getting the latest scoop on their favorite animals. Kid-friendly entertainment will include live music and magic!

This event sells out. Get your tickets early!

 Ticket Prices: Children 1 yr. and under are FREE

Fresno Chaffee Zoo Members: 

Adults (12 years and up) $12.00 

Children (2-11 years) $8.00

Non-Members: 

Adults (12 years and up) $14.00 

Children (2-11 years) $10.00

Non-Member Day of Event: 

Adults (12 years and up) $16.00 

Children (2-11 years) $12.00

Ticket orders made after August 6, will be held at Will Call at the Zoo entrance. 

Order online at www.fresnochaffeezoo.org  , the front admission booth, or by calling 559-498-5921. 

Thank you to our generous sponsors: 

Monterey Beach Clean-Up

After learning about oceans, the importance of keeping them clean and healthy, and their own connection to the marine environment even in the Central Valley, approximately 175 students from Tioga Middle School in Fresno helped out the seashore over 150 miles from home-- at a large beach cleanup and dune planting event on Municipal Beach on the morning of June 5^th. Tioga students were selected for this cleanup event by participating in a writing contest in their Language Arts classes. Students with the top five essays in each class were awarded permission slips to attend this event. Their essay’s focused on pollution in the ocean and how it effects our environment.   

Fresno Chaffee Zoo organized the event and gave presentations to the youth in their schools prior to June 5^th.  Kids’ Ocean Day, honoring World Oceans Day on June 8th, is being organized statewide by the California Coastal Commission.  The Monterey event is part of the 19^th Annual Kids’ Adopt-a-Beach Cleanup, a series of Kids’ Ocean Day Adopt-A-Beach Cleanups at six beaches up and down the California coast and one in Marineland, Florida.  The event for Fresno students involved removing litter from the beach as well as installing native plants on sand dunes to filter polluted runoff before it reaches the ocean.

Fresno’s Chaffee Zoo is running the program locally by giving presentations at the school site and organizing the June 5th event. “The Fresno Chaffee Zoo Education Staff is grateful for this opportunity to have Central Valley students participate in a coastal beach cleanup project. This grant funded program provides a special opportunity for some of our children to learn more about how humans impact our natural world and also about stewardship behaviors and actions. Participating in this Monterey beach cleanup and dune planting gives these students a special connection to the ocean. We hope this hands-on experience empowers them and helps them understand that each person can make a difference in keeping our earth clean.” said Adrienne Castro, Director of Education, Fresno Chaffee Zoo.

“These kids are like modern-day knights in shining armor,” said Mary Shallenberger, Chair of the California Coastal Commission.   “They are defending our ocean from marine debris and other forms of pollution that harm marine life.  I’m so proud of them that they took this day to go forward into battle with everyday trash to keep it out of the sea.  It makes me optimistic that these young people will continue the crusade to keep our coast and ocean clean.”  The Coastal Commission coordinates the program statewide and provides financial support from the Whale Tail License Plate Fund.

Fresno Chaffee Zoo provides environmental education programs to visiting students from the Central San Joaquin Valley. As stated in the mission statement, “Fresno Chaffee Zoo inspires wonder of our natural world, provides an engaging learning environment, and creates a passion for conservation.” The zoo allows students to come to one location and learn about animals in a variety of habitats.

The Malibu Foundation for Environmental Education and the California Coastal Commission started the annual event in Los Angeles in 1994. With funding from the Whale Tail License Plate, this program expanded to serving Central Valley children in 2001. The program focuses on reaching children in underserved and inland schools.  Prior to the cleanup, the program includes a school presentation providing information about the importance of the ocean and how the students’ actions affect it. 

The California Coastal Commission is the statewide coordinator of the Kids’ Ocean Day Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup, the year-round Adopt-A-Beach program, and Coastal Cleanup Day. All of these programs are funded by the generous support of the Whale Tail License Plate Fund. Over 205,000 plates have been sold since 1996, raising $19 million dollars for marine education and protection.  For more information about the California Coastal Commission’s programs and how to buy a Whale Tail Plate, call (800) COAST-4U or visit www.coastforyou.org.