CBS47 Grandparents Day and Expo

Grandparents create special relationships and impart lessons that last a lifetime. As President 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.”

Grandparents, join CBS47 at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo on National Grandparents Day, Sunday, September 11th. Visit the CBS47 Grandparents Expo inside the zoo from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with over 35 organizations with services for your Grandparents.

CBS47's Grandparents Day is sponsored in part by the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, the Fresno County Public Library and the Madera County Agency on Aging.

Teen L.E.A.D.E.R.S. Program is Making a Difference

August 12, 2011 – River Clean-Up Project

This week the Teen LEADER volunteers (usually found manning the Activity Station at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo) completed a trash clean-up project on the San Joaquin River. Throughout the 8.5-mile canoe route, the volunteers showed their unwavering dedication to water conservation by rowing the course while picking up garbage that they came across in the river and on surrounding banks.  Teen LEADER Dilpreet Kaur stated, "It was a truly unique experience. I loved that we all made a difference in cleaning up such an important natural habitat." Along the route the team encountered several deer, several birds of prey, many egret and heron species, belted kingfishers and even a beaver!  All Teen LEADERS agreed that it felt good to leave these animals’ environment cleaner than they found it.

COME JOIN US!

Teen LEADERS did their part in making our local waters a cleaner place and so can you! Simply join the "Clean Water Team" through the San Joaquin River Stewardship Program by following this link: http://sanjoaquinriver.sportisite.com/ and clicking on the "Clean Water Team" box to learn more. Check their website for information on community river clean-up days coming up soon.  Don't forget to stop by the Fresno Chaffee Zoo's Activity Station, located across from Stingray Bay, to learn more about what the Teen LEADERS have to share about water conservation and protecting aquatic habitats in our area. Hope to see you soon!

Teen L.E.A.D.E.R.S. Program is Making a Difference

This week's blog post features two Teen LEADERS that put out extensive effort volunteering this summer at the Activity Station through the Teen LEADER program. Alex Adams has been a Fresno Chaffee Zoo volunteer for the last 4 years. He is 16 years old and attends University High School in Fresno and has a great interest in pursuing a major in Economics at Harvard University. Adams started out Junior Counseling at the Zoo’s Summer Adventure Camps offered for children age 5-12 and has recently split his summer volunteer hours between Junior Counseling and becoming a Teen LEADER. "I've volunteered at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo for so long because it's just a great experience," says Adams, “I'm definitely more aware of my water usage and how my actions can positively or negatively affect the environment."

The other featured Teen LEADER is Jared Price, a zoo volunteer since 2008. He is also 16 years old, attends Los Banos High and is interested in pursuing Marine Biology at San Diego State University. He started spending time at the zoo as a summer camper, then participated in the Shadow Keeper program, where he learned what it was like to be a zoo keeper, then moved on to camp junior counselor, becoming a Bird Show volunteer, and now has the title of "Teen LEADER" under his belt. Jared states, "I love the zoo- it's a part of me," and then goes on to elaborate, "From being a Teen LEADER I've learned to manage my time and guest relations. I also learned to be more conscious of my water and plastic usage."

All in all, both Alex and Jared have benefited from the program and have plenty of information to share regarding water and water habitat conservation. Come and check out the Activity Station at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo to experience the activities and games that excellent Teen LEADER volunteers like Alex and Jared have to share.

Univision's Día de la Familia

Univision Fresno invites you to Día de la Familia Hispana (Day of the Hispanic Family) at Fresno Chaffee Zoo on Sunday, August 14 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. There will be activities, food, and much fun for the entire family. In addition, performing live…CONTROL, BANDA TIERRA DEL SOL, EL TIEMPO LEOPARDO SALVAJE, LUZ MARIA and EL GRUPO TATUAJE, MARIACHI HERENCIA RODRIGUEZ, and a special performance by CHICHICUILOTE. Don’t miss this event!

La familia de Univision Fresno les invita al Día de la Familia Hispana en el Zoologico Chaffee de Fresno, el Domingo, 14 de Agosto 9am - 6pm. Habrá actividades, comida y diversión para toda la familia! Además presentándose en vivo CONTROL, BANDA TIERRA DEL SOL, EL TIEMPO LEOPARDO SALVAJE, LUZ MARIA Y EL GRUPO TATUAJE, MARIACHI HERENCIA RODRIGUEZ, Y ACTUACION ESPECIAL del CHICHICUILOTE. ¡Acompañenos!

Volunteer at the WILDEST place in town!

Fresno Chaffee Zoo is currently recruiting volunteers who have a love for animals and a passion for serving our community.  Docent volunteers are enthusiastic, energetic, and dedicated individuals who enjoy working with people of all ages, like to learn about the natural world, and are committed to cause of wildlife conservation. Docents provide meaningful and engaging information through a variety of activities including leading tours, presenting animal programs to the public, and staffing hands-on displays.

The twelve-week training classes will be held Fridays from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. beginning September 2nd. All applications must be received by August 13th. Classes include in-depth lectures, behind the scenes tours, keeper talks, and hands-on activities.  Docents must be at least 18 years of age. For an applications and more information contact Alysia Fierro in the Zoo's Education Department at 559-498-5945 or email afierro@fresnochaffeezoo.org

Producers Dairy Ice Cream Zoofari

Producers Dairy Ice Cream Zoofari, a summertime tradition for over twenty years, will take place at Fresno Chaffee Zoo on Saturday, August 13 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 by Oklin Bloodworth and Rosetree. Be amazed by Marvelous Magician - Tony Blanco, get your face painted, and meet the Kings County Dairy Princess and Yo Gabba Gabba!! Purchase tickets from our website (click on the "Add to Cart" buttons), buy in person at the Zoo admission booth or call 559-498-5921.

This event sells out. Get your tickets early!

Ice Cream Zoofari Ticket Prices
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

A big thank you to our event sponsors!

Teen L.E.A.D.E.R.S. Program is Making a Difference

Week of July 29th:

The Teen LEADER Activity Station located across from Stingray Bay in the Fresno Chaffee Zoo is always bustling with Teen LEADER volunteers, children and adults interacting and ready to learn. One of our most popular games is entitled "Fishing Time" and has a very important message. Kids are simply invited to “go fishing” in a clear container filled with sand and plastic sea creatures as well as foam seaweed, sea shells, and magnetized fish. There are two methods to try; the hook and line, which uses a small, magnetized fishing pole that only attracts fish, vs. the trawling method, which uses a small net drug through the bottom of the tank catching all manner of sea life “by catch,” making trawling the poor alternative method due to its heavy impact on species that are unintentionally harvested and then tossed away.

Teen LEADERS then introduce adult spectators to the Seafood Watch program, designed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium to rate the health and environmental impact of various seafood choices. Adults are offered a hand pocket guide listing which fish are the best choices based on the environmentally-friendly ways that they are caught or raised. This activity builds awareness of the negative impacts of some fishing methods and teaches smart alternatives to keep our oceans clean and plentiful by minimizing choices that create the most harmful effects on ocean health. The empowerment to make a difference and the knowledge that both adults and children take away from this activity is valuable in more ways than one. Come and check out this activity and the other fun, educational games that the Activity Station has to offer. Hope to see you here soon!