Annual Conservation Week set for April 14 – 18, Earth Day Celebration April 20

Providence, RI – Roger Williams Park Zoo’s annual Conservation Week and Earth Day celebrations are back again, offering families a slew of fun environmentally-themed activities and presentations during Rhode Island’s school vacation week, April 14 – 20.

One of the Zoo’s most popular annual events, this year’s Conservation Week is themed as a “Party for the Planet” and is set to offer a variety of earth and wildlife friendly activities, presentations and special appearances from Monday through Friday, April 14 – 18.

Each day of Conservation Week will include up-close encounters with the Zoo’s education animals, presentations detailing select Zoo animals and exhibits, an education station that will give an inside look at “How the Zoo Recycles,” enrichment demonstrations where visitors can watch as select Zoo animals receive novel food or play items and a “Year of the Frog” education station where kids can have fun with hands-on “froggy” activities while learning more about why frogs and other amphibians are quickly disappearing around the world.

Several one-day special appearances are part of the Conservation Week festivities as well. On Tuesday watch nature artist Mathilde Duffy as she creates artwork using the natural world around her as inspiration. On Wednesday create your own “peace flag” with your personal wish for the planet as part of the Peace Flag Project, and see an ethereal giant butterfly puppet by Ten31 Productions. Thursday offers an appearance by Rhode Island Resource Recovery’s recycling superhero, “Max Man,” along with giveaways and information on recycling. And finally, Friday will feature Will Machin, an environmental artist who will demonstrate how to make birdhouses from found objects.

The week culminates on Sunday, April 20, as the Party for the Planet continues with the Zoo’s annual Earth Day celebration. All of the activities and special appearances included in Conservation Week will be back again, coming together to for one great day of environmentally themed fun.

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In addition, Earth Day will also feature environmentally themed works by chalk artist Michael Macaulay, a tape art mural by the TapeArt Group and chainsaw artist Michael Higgins who will create an eco-themed art piece. An amphibian crisis talk by Lou Perrotti, the Zoo’s conservation programs coordinator, and display of an electric Model T will be featured as well.

The centerpiece of Earth Day is an environmental fair with displays, activities and giveaways from over 20 environmentally conscious organizations from around the state, including the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Clean Water Action, Earthwatch Institute, Environmental Council of Rhode Island, Farm Fresh RI, Narragansett Bay Research Reserve, Save the Bay, University of Rhode Island Master Composters, and many more.

All Conservation Week and Earth Day activities run from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; times for special appearances vary. Visit www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org for a complete schedule, or call 401-785-3510. Activities are free with regular Zoo admission of $12 for adults, $8 for seniors (62+) and $6 for children ages three to 12. Children under three and Zoo members are admitted free.

Roger Williams Park Zoo is operated and maintained by the Rhode Island Zoological Society and is owned by the City of Providence.

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EDITOR’S NOTE – PHOTOS AVAILABLE:

This and other photos (sized 5 x 7, 300 dpi) are available for download at: https://www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org/secure/press/pics.cfm

Photos may also be obtained on disk or through e-mail by contacting the Zoo PR office.

Animal enrichment presentations are planned as part of the festivities at Roger Williams Park Zoo’s annual Conservation Week, April 14 – 18, and Earth Day celebration, April 20. Other event highlights include environmental displays, hands-on activities demonstrations by environmental artists and more.

photo / Roger Williams Park Zoo

Over 20 environmentally conscious organizations from around Rhode Island will host displays at the environmental fair planned as part of Roger Williams Park Zoo’s Earth Day celebration on April 20.

photo / Roger Williams Park Zoo