Contact: Laura Stegman
Public Relations for the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association
310/470-6321 (office), 310/991-2835 (mobile)

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGH-SCHOOL STUDENTS, GENERAL VOLUNTEERS AND DOCENTS OFFERED BY GREATER LOS ANGELES ZOO ASSOCIATION
 
PROSPECTIVE GENERAL VOLUNTEER INFORMATION MEETING
(Ages 16 and Up)
Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 
PROSPECTIVE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT VOLUNTEER INFORMATION MEETING
(Grades 9 – 11)
Saturday, July 18, 2009, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 
PROSPECTIVE DOCENT INFORMATION MEETING
Saturday, July 25, 2009, 10:30 a.m. to noon
 

Volunteer opportunities for high school students, general volunteers (16 and
up) and adult Docents are offered by the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association
(GLAZA), announces Kirin Daugharty, manager of volunteer programs. To
explore the possibilities, general volunteers are invited to an information
meeting on Saturday, July 11, 10 am to 4 pm; prospective high school student
volunteers (entering 9th, 10th and 11th grades) are invited to an
information meeting on Saturday, July 18, 2009, 10 am to 4 pm; and
prospective adult Docent volunteers are invited to an information meeting on
Saturday, July 25, 10:30 am to noon. All three meetings take place at the
Los Angeles Zoo's Witherbee Auditorium, and check-in tables will be set up
at the Zoo entrance. Pre-registration is required only for the July 11
meeting.

"Volunteers are an essential part of the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical
Gardens, creating a better environment for our animals and our visitors, and
we offer comprehensive training," says Daugharty. "No previous experience
is required, just a willingness to learn and a commitment to the welfare of
our animals."

More than 750 individuals participate in GLAZA's docent and volunteer
programs, many of whom have provided over 40 years and more of service. In
2008, GLAZA docents alone contributed more than 66,726 hours to the Zoo.

GENERAL VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

General volunteer opportunities for ages 16 and up include the following:
MURIEL'S RANCH VOLUNTEERS (Muriel's Ranch is the Zoo's contact yard, located
in the Winnick Family Children's Zoo. To be eligible, general volunteers
must pass the prerequisite two-hour Muriel's Ranch training class, provided
monthly. Volunteers play liaison between the goats and the visitors by
assisting with crowd control and occasionally maintain the yard.); and
SPECIAL EVENTS VOLUNTEERS (The Zoo hosts a number of special events
throughout the year, including Big Bunny's Spring Fling, Boo at the Zoo, and
Reindeer Romp, to name a few. Volunteers assist Zoo visitors with themed
crafts, give-aways, photo opportunities, and directional assistance.)

Behind-the-scenes opportunities are also available, including:
FOOD PREP VOLUNTEERS (Food Prep is available to general volunteers who have
passed the 30-hour introductory period and are at least 18 years of age.
Volunteers assist keepers with preparing animal diets such as cutting up
fruits, vegetables, meat, and divvying out mealworms and crickets.);
ENRICHMENT VOLUNTEERS (Enrichment is available to general volunteers who
have passed the 30 hour introductory period and are at least 18 years of
age. Volunteers help create feeder and play devices as well as exhibit
adaptations.); and
RESEARCH VOLUNTEERS (Research volunteering is available to people 18 years
of age and over who have completed the Observing Animals: Behavioral Studies
in Zoos UCLA Extension course taught on Zoo grounds offered in the Fall.
The class teaches observational techniques and is a non-invasive study on
behavior.).

Reservations ARE REQUIRED for the July 11 information meeting. Call (323)
644-4703 or email volunteers@lazoo.org .

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Students entering grades 9, 10, or 11 in the fall are eligible for GLAZA's
High School Student Volunteer program, an academically challenging
opportunity to help at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens in a
variety of ways ranging from working at special events and Children's Zoo
assistance to supporting public education programs. Members complete a
10-week training course to learn about the world's biomes, animal
adaptations, conservation, ecology, and education, and they are required to
volunteer a minimum of 60 hours per year for two years. The course is
offered on Sundays from 9 am to 4 pm beginning in early September.
Applicants must attend the day-long July 18 meeting, which includes a
presentation about the program, group activities and interviews.
Applications are accepted through July 2009. Reservations ARE NOT required
for the meeting, but please contact the Docent Chair at (323) 644-4702 or
docents@lazoo.org with questions.

DOCENT PROGRAM

GLAZA offers a comprehensive program for adult docents, who serve as
volunteer teachers sharing their knowledge of the Zoo and its flora and
fauna with adults and children through touring, use of biofact carts, and
numerous educational programs and classes. Docents complete a 23-week
training program offered at the Zoo each fall in conjunction with UCLA
Extension. The weekly six-hour Friday or Saturday classes focus on taxonomy
of both the plants and animals at the Zoo as well as ecology and
conservation. Docents duties are as varied as those performing them, and
individual opportunities are discussed and developed throughout the training
course. Docents must be 18 years or older when applying and be able to
commit 100 hours per year for a minimum of two years. Applications are
accepted through August 30. Reservations ARE NOT required for the July 25
meeting, but questions may be directed to the Docent Chair at (323) 644-4702
or docents@lazoo.org.

The Zoo's docent and volunteer programs are among many programs presented by
the private, non-profit Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, founded in
1963. This year marks more than 45 years of GLAZA's success in supporting
the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden's work as an educational resource
for the citizens of Los Angeles, and as an international center for the
conservation of endangered wildlife. GLAZA provides support for Los Angeles
Zoo exhibits, conservation, capital projects, education programs, community
outreach, research, and more through fund-raising and an endowment,
membership, special events and more. GLAZA currently has 65,000 member
households, the second largest membership base of a cultural organization in
Los Angeles. Many of its nearly 300,000 individual members have sustained
their GLAZA support for more than 20 years. The Los Angeles Zoo is an
international leader in the conservation of endangered species and one of
the city's major cultural and entertainment resources.

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The Los Angeles Zoo is located at 5333 Zoo Drive in Los Angeles' Griffith Park at
the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways.  For tickets and information, call 323/644-4708.