Featured Volunteers

SHOOTING STAR AWARD: 2024

The Shooting Star Award is a periodic award, recognizing a unique contribution that supports the Volunteer Department.

Keeping everyone informed and up-to-date is no small feat, especially when we all use different forms of communication. Whether it’s TV, print, email, face-to-face, social media, or other channels, staying in the loop can feel like a full-time job.

Amidst this challenge, one volunteer stands out for their exceptional commitment. On average, this person dedicates 25 hours a week to not only sharing vital information but also engaging with us and strengthening our connection to the Zoo and each other. He keeps us engaged with creative posts like Throwback Thursdays and skillfully manages all the requests, suggestions, and comments we send his way.

We’re honored to acknowledge and thank Micheal de la Torre, a dedicated Docent for 26 years, for his tireless efforts in managing our Facebook group and keeping us both informed and entertained are truly appreciated.

Thank you, Micheal, for all that you do!

SILVER STAR AWARD: 2024

This year’s silver star recipient joined the Los Angeles Zoo as a general volunteer in 2015. They wanted to get closer to animals, so they quickly began to do food prep two days a week. They also wanted to share their love of animals with Zoo guests, both young and old, so they joined the 2016 Docent Provisional Class and graduated as a docent in 2017. In just over 8 years, this docent has contributed over 7,400 hours to the Zoo.

To be able to share our animals even more with Zoo guests, they became a member of the Animals and You team. Next, they joined the Special Needs Outreach Team, which gave them an opportunity to share fun facts about our animals with senior citizens, special education students and others who were unable to come to the Zoo.

Continuing in their efforts to share the Zoo with even more guests, this docent became a tour cart driver. Their extensive knowledge of the Zoo and of our animals makes a positive impact on our donors as she drives them about the Zoo.

Always wanting to do more to engage our Zoo guests by making learning fun, they became a member of the Education Station committee.

This docent wanted to assist in keeping our docents up to date on their animal facts. They have been co-writing/editing all our animal and plant fact sheets, as well as helping with the rewriting of the docent notebook. Beyond what docents see in print, this docent has provided lectures for both the Provisional Class and for the Annual Update. We can all thank her for our current awareness of the wonders of the pill bug. She has lectured for the Zoo magnet school as well.

This docent has been on the Friday Provisional Team since 2018 and has been the Friday Provisional Co-Chair from 2019 to 2024. During the 2020-2021 pandemic Zoo closure, this docent led the process of revamping the Provisional Class Curricula, streaming it from a 23-week program down to 19 weeks.

This docent is a member of the Training Committee responsible for the annual test that all docents and docent specialists must take each year.

And if this wasn’t enough, she participates in the bird feeder count and occasionally fills the bird feeder.

Perhaps it was because she did not have a career as a teacher, a botanist, a zoologist, or any kind of scientist that our silver star recipient jumped into so many volunteer areas with an open mind, open arms, and a magnificent capacity to work with others. Whatever the reason, The Los Angeles Zoo is extremely fortunate and has reaped the benefits of our amazing Silver Star recipient: Paula Riggin.

SHINNING STAR AWARD: 2024

This year’s “Shining Star” is someone who truly embodies the spirit of volunteerism and is always eager to step up and support the Zoo community, wherever help is most needed.

This person was selected not only for their exceptional character but also for the wide range of activities they assist with. From helping with food prep and special events, to mentoring new volunteers and driving carts, their contributions are as varied as they are valuable. They are someone who consistently answers the call to help, even overcoming their fear of snakes to ambassador in areas like the LAIR.

It is always a joy to run into our “Shining Star” at the Zoo because they exude warmth and generosity towards everyone – volunteers, staff, and visitors alike. This person has a genuine desire to make a positive impact, and we are so grateful for the countless hours and boundless kindness that they share with us week after week. So please join us in giving a round of applause to our wonderful “Shining Star” of the year, Charlene Sievers!