April is Earth Month, and it’s a great time to take action to be a better friend to the environment! After all, a healthier planet means healthier habitats and a better future for wildlife. Here are five easy ways you can celebrate Earth Month, inspired by actions we take daily at Brookfield Zoo Chicago.
1. Keep waterways clean
Always make sure to keep wildlife safe by properly disposing of fishing gear when you’re back on land after fishing! Did you know that the majority of Illinois waterways, including the Illinois River and the Mississippi River, flow to the Gulf of Mexico? This means that anything carried by the water, such as litter and fishing lines, has the potential to hurt wildlife that lives not only in rivers, but in the Gulf, too.
This includes the bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) that we’ve followed for more than 40 years as part of our Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (SDRP) in Florida. Over the years, the SDRP has saved the lives of numerous dolphins that were caught in entanglements caused by discarded fishing lines. Learn more about how we save dolphins!
2. Repurpose yard waste
Consider making your own mulch from leaves, grass clippings, pine needles, and branches to enrich your soil and make your garden grow! After the 1,000 trees from our annual Holiday Magic celebration are taken down, Brookfield Zoo Chicago recycles these trees by turning many of them into mulch to be used around the Zoo.
Additionally, some of the trees are provided to animals for enrichment. We also have a Browse program, which sources local leaves, twigs, and branches to meet the dietary and behavioral needs of animals. This sustainable initiative not only supports the health of the animals but also promotes local conservation and reduces waste.
3. Recycle your used cell phone at the Zoo
Did you know that many cell phones contain coltan, a mineral used to create capacitors? Unfortunately, coltan is mined primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is home to Endangered mountain gorillas (International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List). By donating your used cell phone at the Zoo’s EcoCell boxes, these devices will be recycled instead of ending up in landfills. This helps reduce the demand for coltan. Our EcoCell boxes are located along Bramsen Tropical Forest pathways, inside the Gorilla Conservation Center, and by our Macaws building.
4. Participate for penguins
When you take part in the Penguin Encounter or Penguin Feeding Adventure at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, you are supporting the health and habitats of penguins in the wild! For many years, Brookfield Zoo Chicago has supported the Punta San Juan Program in Peru—the native home of Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti). Our veterinarians travel to Peru to perform annual health assessments and develop tools for sustainable marine management.
Your purchase of these incredible experiences helps support our conservation work with penguins in Peru. Learn more about our work in Peru.
5. Go digital for trees
Did you know that Brookfield Zoo Chicago is an ArbNet accredited arboretum? As such, we are committed to the conservation of trees, and choosing digital over paper is a key way we can help protect trees worldwide. Download our mobile app in advance of your next Zoo visit for a digital wayfinding map that can help you find any location you need within the Zoo!
