May 18 @ 9:30 am – 2:00 pm EDT

Taking environmental action has never been so much fun! Join us for a day of activities including Keeper Chats, animal pop-ups, and our Annual Plant Sale. Our Educators and community partners will show you new ways to support conservation and be good stewards of our shared Earth!

THIS EVENT IS FREE WITH YOUR GENERAL ZOO ADMISSION AND TAKES PLACE RAIN OR SHINE!

Purchase Zoo Tickets Here

Activities

Before the event

  • Eco-Cell recycling drive: From now until 10:30am on May 18, bring your no-longer-needed electronics to our Membership Office to be properly recycled by ECO-CELL! Those who donate an approved item (click here for list) will win a FREE ticket to the Zoo for Party for the Planet
  • Shoreline cleanup: Participate in a shoreline cleanup at the Zoo’s Adopt a Spot location prior to Party for the Planet at 8:30am to receive free entry into the Zoo for the event! Pre-registration required; send an email to [email protected] to sign up.

During the event

  • Animal Ambassador greeters in the Plaza from 9:30am-10:15am and from 1pm-1:45pm
  • Turtle Oasis Grand Opening: Join us to celebrate the grand opening of Turtle Oasis, an exhibit dedicated to the conservation of American freshwater turtle species! Meet some of our turtle and tortoise ambassadors up-close, see our Turtle Oasis residents and hear from their keepers!
  • The Virginia Zoo’s Annual Plant Sale: Select from a variety of native species and pollinator-friendly plants that will make a great addition to your own garden.
  • Browse Party: Help us prepare enrichment and animal diets during our Browse Party in the pavilion from 12pm-2pm and support our animals! Much of the browse we use at the Zoo is generously supplied as part of a 3-year partnership with the Norfolk Botanical Garden.
  • Learn about Healthy Habits: Enjoy games and activities with our Zoo educators and volunteers to learn things like making your yard friendly to all wildlife, being a responsible consumer and pet owner, disposing of waste properly, and how to get involved in community science projects at the Zoo!
  • Community Partners: Meet and learn from the following community partners about the work they do to make a difference for our planet — AskHR Green; Chrysler Museum; City of Norfolk Division of Environmental Storm Water, Environmental Sustainability and Office of Resilience; Elizabeth River Project; Keep Norfolk Beautiful; Nauticus; Norfolk Botanical Garden; Norfolk Public Library; Tidewater Compost; Tidewater Master Naturalists; Virginia Aquarium; Wetlands Watch
  • Bounce House: Get your kiddos an unlimited bounce wristband for $10 and let them jump to their heart’s desire!

Event Map