Green Zoos

You can easily connect with the natural world this spring by stepping out into your own backyard, but your family can get a much bigger glimpse of the animal kingdom by visiting a local zoo. While all zoos are great opportunities for fun, exploration, and learning, we’ve outlined some of our favorites, all of which place importance on conservation efforts for animals, humans, and the planet.

Bronx Zoo
For a fun-filled (and educational) way to spend your weekend, take an outing to the Bronx Zoo. Hang with the great apes at the Congo Gorilla Forest or get into the wild with the Asian jungle where 800 critters share mangroves and beaches. Featuring anacondas, tigers, and crocodiles, (oh my!) the Bronx Zoo also offers many tips on how to go green and preserve wildlife, such as buying ocean-friendly seafood, recycling eco waste, and unplugging electronics when not in use. The zoo is also involved in the Carbon Footprint Project, which aims to help New York City residents lessen their consumption load and help save the animals! Learn about upcoming Bronx Zoo events as well as ways to go green at bronxzoo.com.

Daily 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2300 Southern Blvd., Crotona Park, NY 10460

San Diego Zoo
San Diego is said to have some of the best weather on the planet. Warm temperatures, sunny skies–Sounds like a perfect day for the zoo! With a wide range of animals, plants, and ecosystems, you’ll likely need an entire day to check out all of what the San Diego Zoo has to offer. Little (human) cubs will love the Wildlife Park events, which include a butterfly jungle, caravan tour, and savanna safari! And for the lioness in your family, be sure to check out the research seminar or photo caravan safari series. And for all your eco-minded needs, the zoo also offers go green seminars as well as a “Dare To Go Green” guide for both home and office. For information on visiting, membership, upcoming events, and even ways you can support conservation, visit sandiegozoo.com.

Through March 8th 9 a.m.–5 p.m. & March 9th- April 3rd 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
2920 Zoo Drive, Balboa Park, CA 92112

Philadelphia Zoo
There are a million reasons to visit the Philadelphia Zoo. It’s almost spring, so the weather will be great. You can play with barnyard animals, feed otters, and watch lions, pandas, and tortoises. You can take a zoo tour and learn everything you ever wanted to know about the animal kingdom. You can learn how the zoo is taking action to protect wildlife halt climate change with their FootPRINTS program. You can even have your birthday there! (Or celebrate the zoo’s birthday–this year marks their 150th anniversary.) Check out philadelphiazoo.com to learn more!

March through November, 9:30 a.m.- 5:00p.m.
3400 W. Girard Ave, Philadelphia 19104

National Zoo
Inject some adventure into your family’s tour of the nation’s capital with a visit to DC’s National Zoo. The zoo houses all sorts of animals, with everything from the Golden Lion Tamarin (a small monkey) to the Scarlet Ibis (a colorful bird). It also offers group packages and zoo news, which lets you in on the zoo’s latest arrivals, births, and hatchings. The National Zoo are also firm believers in conservation, and offer a multitude of educational programs and workshops to that end. Worried about the commute? The DC metro is inexpensive, with subway stopping right at this animal paradise. Learn more at http://nationalzoo.si.edu.

Grounds open daily 6 a.m.- 9 p.m.
3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

Cincinnati Zoo
Interested in seeing pint- size predators or a botanical garden with beautiful and exotic plants? Come to the Cincinnati Zoo! With exhibits, plants, gardens, and (of course) ANIMALS, this place is a (fur)ball of fun for the whole family. To ensure you see the whole zoo in one day, get an all-day ride train pass and visit all your animal friends at a faster pace. And with Easter just a hop away, the zoo is offering ten ways to green the holiday, including using recycled baskets, filling them with shredded newspaper (instead of the fake green grass), and giving organic candy. For more information on the Cincinnati Zoo and ways to go green for Easter, visit cincinnatizoo.org.

Daily 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m & May 25, 2009- September 7, 2009 9:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.
3540 Beldare Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45220

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
If you want to watch a koala sleeping or a bear cleaning its cub, visit the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC. In addition to being home to a whole caboodle of cute creatures, the zoo offers education programs to those interested in learning more about wildlife. Riverbanks also partners with Associations of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to support and help conserve a wide range of animals and amphibians. Learn more about AZA or check out Riverbanks Zooview Live Webcam at & Garden riverbanks.org.

Daily 9:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m.
500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, SC 29210