Zoo Earth Day Celebration

CONTACT: Kyle Shepherd
Direct: 502-238-5331  |  Media Only: 502-744-5639
kyle.shepherd@louisvilleky.gov

Earth Day Festival

Louisville Zoo Celebrates Earth Day April 19
with half-priced admission sponsored by LG&E and KU

The Louisville Zoo will celebrate Earth Day on April 19 with a news conference and announcement of winners of the 3rd annual Trashformation art contest, $8 general admission and activities to celebrate sustainability. Patrons can learn more about the Zoo’s conservation efforts and visit dozens of “eco-themed” exhibitors.

Sponsored by Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company, the Earth Day Festival is the highlight of the Zoo’s “Party for the Planet: A Month-Long Celebration of the Earth,” in April.

Admission for the general public on April 19 is just $8 per person, all day, courtesy of LG&E and KU. Parking will be free.  (Zoo members and children age 2 and under always receive free admission.)

Trashformation recycled art entries will be on display all day in ZooVision and winners will be announced at 11 a.m. at a news conference Winners in each of the categories will receive a gift certificate from Earth Fare: The Healthy Supermarket.

Other activities will revolve around what people can do to help save our planet. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., patrons can learn about the Zoo’s conservation efforts and visit eco-partner environmental displays at stations throughout the Zoo. Guests can discover ways to connect to the local environment and make a collective difference in conservation on a national and global level.

Eco-partner exhibitors include:

  • Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest
  • Falls of the Ohio
  • Greater Louisville Sierra Club
  • Jefferson County Clerk’s Office
  • Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District
  • Just Creations
  • Kentucky Chapter for Hazardous Materials
  • Kentucky Division Forestry
  • Kentucky Division of Water
  • Kentucky Ornithological Society
  • Kentucky Waterways Alliance
  • Louisville Water Company
  • Olmstead Parks Conservancy
  • River Metals Recycling
  • United Nations, Kentucky Chapter

LG&E and KU’s “Mini-City” Demonstration will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Glacier Run classroom foyer to teach children and adults how to be safe around electricity. The Mini-City is a table-top display that uses live current to demonstrate proper safety techniques using outdoor and indoor scenarios. LG&E and KU’s popular “Louie the Lightning Bug” will buzz the crowd to delight children and adults from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Zoo’s front plaza.

LG&E and KU’s Birds of Prey exhibit will also be on display in the Glacier Run classroom from April 13-19. The display is designed to educate Zoo attendees about birds of prey, some of which actually have habitats at the company’s power plants. The company partners with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife to ensure the animals continue to thrive for years to come. Those visiting the exhibit are encouraged to compare their “wingspan” to various birds of prey and participate in a social media contest. The winner will receive two tickets to The Louisville Zoo. In conjunction with the display, Zoo docents will be on hand with raptors in the classroom from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 19 and at 1 p.m. the Zoo’s Animal Health Center will talk about how the health center cares for raptors and birds.

The Zoo encourages guests to ride their bike (bike racks will be available at the Zoo) or take TARC to the celebration to help protect the environment. For a list of TARC’s buses and schedules, visit www.ridetarc.org.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to high attendance during the Earth Day celebration, members of the media are encouraged to plan for increased traffic and crowds. Please call Media Relations Manager Kyle Shepherd at 744-5639 or 238-5331 prior to arrival and sign in at the receptionist desk.)

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The Louisville Zoo, a non-profit organization and state zoo of Kentucky, is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

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Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company, part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies, are regulated utilities that serve a total of 1.2 million customers and have consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. LG&E serves 321,000 natural gas and 397,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties. Kentucky Utilities serves 543,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia. More information is available at www.lge-ku.com and www.pplweb.com.

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