It's Closer Than You Think!
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo Newsletter
July 2010
For the first time in at least 30 years (maybe forever, but that's as far back as we can confirm), a Vanilla Orchid is blooming in our Victorian Greenhouse.
What wonderful Zoo friends we have, supporting us with another fabulous Wild Wine, Beer and Food Safari! The "Safari" with auction raised over $60,000 for our animal care, education programs and related operations. Our new Green Tree Boas exhibit is open in the Rainforest, and keep your eyes peeled for Vampire Bats scheduled to come this fall. These were two animal exhibits supported by the proceeds from the Wild Wine Beer and Food Safari. Thank you again for your generous support! (Photo by Shannon Calvert.)
Connecticut Free Shakespeare celebrates another extraordinary summer at the Zoo by presenting William Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." Moonstruck lovers, mismatched couples, secret passions, hidden identities, practical jokes, wacky sword fights, comic revenge, happily ever after! Performance dates are July 16-18, 21-25 and 28-30. Shows are at the Peacock Pavilion (rain location inside the Carousel Building). FREE admission. Performance at 8 pm; Zoo opens for picnics at 6:30 pm. For more information, call (203) 393-3213 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (203) 393-3213 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visit ctfreeshakespeare.org.
Enjoy a day of great golf and fun while supporting the Zoo. Join us Monday, Oct. 4 at the exclusive Connecticut Golf Club in Easton. The day's festivities will include a round of golf, great food, a silent auction and raffle. Contact Whitney Fairbrother at 203-394-6569 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 203-394-6569 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
Through Aug. 20 (weekdays at 1 pm) -- Animal Tales Story Time. Stories, crafts and animal encounters.
Through Aug. 29 - Wonders of Wildlife. Come on over and meet some the world's most fascinating animals! Explore exotic places like deserts, rain forests, wetlands and even CT's backyard forests while learning about the amazing adaptations that allow animals to call those places home. Presented at the Zoo's Learning Circle, this event is FREE with Zoo admission. Presented daily except Mondays and Tuesdays.
July 5 to Aug. 13 (9 am-12:30 pm) -- Zoo Patrol summer education program for children. See article.
July 16-30 (8 pm) -- CT Free Shakespeare presents "Twelfth Night." See article.
July 17 (10 am-4 pm) -- Bowling for Rhinos. Join our zookeepers for outdoor games, Wii bowling, a bake sale and other run activities to raise money for rhino conservation efforts at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya.
July 21 (7 pm) -- Evening Lecture Series: Reforestation. Dr. Herster Barres of Reforest the Tropics will discuss the organization's research and voluntary CO2 off-set program. Free.
July 22-25 and 28-31 (12:30-1:30 pm) -- Theater for Kids: "Jack and the Beanstalk: The True Story." CT Free Shakespeare presents an original musical production, perfect for children in preschool through first grade.
The Zoo is partnering with ten other organizations and the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County to present FCBuzz Goes Live - Connecting you to great events every month!
Join us Wednesday, July 14th at The Fairfield Museum and History Center to attend a summer evening of Town Ball.
Vacations can be fun, relaxing and green. For the ultimate green vacation, go camping. Visit a national or state park and unplug, turn off and tune out. The sounds of your kids' videogames will be replaced by the sounds of nature. Remember: leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures.
Charter a sailboat. Celebrate wind power. Feel the wind in your hair and the sea spray on your face. Bird watch, sunset watch, whale watch - all without the sounds and smells of engines. Many charters also use local or organic foods.
Try an eco-volunteer vacation. Many organizations offer a variety of choices. From working on an organic farm, to trail maintenance, to research projects, there is something for everyone. Get more information at World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farming, Sierra Club, Earthwatch, Global Vision International and The Nature Conservancy.
Take a Staycation and enjoy all the green Connecticut has to offer: the Zoo, state parks, nature centers, farmers' markets, bike rides, the beach - the list is endless.
More tips: Take a train, stay at a "green" hotel, buy carbon offsets and buy locally made souvenirs.
What animal exhibited in our New England Farmyard Bug House can flick abdominal hairs at harassing predators?
