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Shades of Green and Turtles,
Too
By Jennifer McMaster
and Robert Kemnitz
One of the joys of the Louisville Zoo is that there’s so much to do.
And no matter how carefully you study your Zoo map and plan your
route, from Gorilla Forest to the Islands (and don’t forget to stop
by the Elephant Exhibit for Elephant Aerobics!), there’s always
something else you try to squeeze into your visit.
With that in mind, the Louisville Zoo now offers a respite from the
hustle and bustle of our everyday lives as well as a break during
your typically busy Zoo visit. Just a few steps away from the
Giraffe and Rhinoceros Exhibits lies the Etscorn
Garden. Here, you will find a meditative spot brimming with annual
and perennial beds of flowers and grasses complemented by shrubs and
small tree groupings. Each element of the garden seasonally presents
spectacular colors surrounded by exquisite shades of green. Benches
beckon you to relax and enjoy not only the sights and smells of this
verdant paradise, but also the sounds of a cool waterfall and the
playful scampering of wood turtles.
The Irvin F. and Alice S. Etscorn Garden was named after its
benefactors and was designed by John Korfhage Landscape and Design,
Inc. and built in conjunction with the Zoo horticulture &
maintenance staff. The garden provides yet another way to focus on
the Zoo’s expanding botanical collection.
As the garden was being designed, Assistant Director Mark Zoeller
hit upon an idea that would add a wildlife conservation element to
the garden while contributing to the natural beauty. After all, as
any gardener knows, buds and blossoms aren’t the only wildlife that
flourish in a garden. “We thought that bringing turtles into the
landscape would allow them to add their own splash of color,” says
Ectotherms Curator Bill McMahan. “Plus, turtles are a nice reminder
to us all to slow down and take in the world once in a while.”
McMahan suggested wood turtles, which he refers to as “Yankee
turtles” because they exist primarily in the north, from New
England to Michigan. Wood turtles are threatened in the wild due to
human encroachment and the rise in raccoon populations, the wood
turtle’s leading predator. Trustees of the Louise K. Judah estate
contributed funds to create the wood turtle pond.
Protecting the wood turtles in Etscorn Garden is a priority for Bill
McMahan. Several strategies are being tested including barriers and
hot wires to ward off ambitious raccoons. Hopefully, the six wood
turtles that set up residence in April will reproduce and help
propagate the species. “It is a chance to include a gentle reminder
of the Zoo’s commitment to conservation,” says McMahan. “Plus, the
turtles are a nice treat for Kentuckians who’ve never seen them
before and for transplanted New Englanders who can visit a native
species.” Many of the garden’s plants are also indigenous to New
England.
In the spirit of reflection and remembrance, Zoo supporters may make
a contribution to dedicate a cobblestone brick, tree, bench, or
garden spot to a loved one or to celebrate a significant occasion.
Diane Davis, the Zoo's former development director, was one of the first
people to make a donation for a bench in memory of her late husband.
“The staff helped me select a wonderful location for Ronnie’s bench.
It gives me a warm feeling to see someone enjoying this special
place while relaxing on the bench.”
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