Experienced green-thumbs wanted:

Adopt-a-Garden program
sprouts at the Louisville Zoo

 

A new volunteer gardening program, entitled “Adopt-a-Garden,” is taking root at the Louisville Zoo.

This budding program will allow individuals, families and groups with green thumbs to adopt specific garden sites throughout the Zoo. Signs will mark each garden site with the individual’s or group’s name.

“This is a wonderful way for gardeners to indulge in their passion for gardening while helping make the Louisville Zoo an even more beautiful resource for our community,” said Diane Taylor, Coordinator of Volunteers at the Louisville Zoo.

A required orientation session, which includes an overview of the Adopt-a-Garden program, will be held on Saturday, February 27, from 9 to 11 a.m. in the ZooVision building.

The program runs mid-April through mid-November, and sizes and locations of garden plots vary. This program is designed for experienced gardeners and no training is provided.

After volunteers join the program and select a garden plot, they are required to submit a plan for their area. Volunteers will be responsible for planting the garden, weeding, watering and maintaining it throughout the growing season, including spring and fall bed clean up. Cost of plants will be at the volunteer’s expense or, with prior permission, plants can be brought in from volunteers’ own gardens. The cost of plants may be tax deductible.

“The Zoo offers a unique venue for skilled gardeners to exercise their talents,” Taylor said. “It will also allow them to meet ZooKeepers and learn about animals. Some Adopt-a-Garden participants might even want to create a gorilla salad bar or grow food for other exotic species as an alternative to flowers.”

For additional information and to RSVP for the required orientation session, contact Diane Taylor, Coordinator of Volunteers at the Louisville Zoo, at 502-238-5350 or mary.taylor@louisvilleky.gov.

For other volunteer opportunities at the Louisville Zoo, visit http://www.louisvillezoo.org/jobs/volunteer.

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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 Association of Museums (AAM) and by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

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Get up-to-date information about the Zoo’s upcoming Glacier Run exhibit by checking out our new Glacier Run blog. You can also show your love for the Louisville Zoo by becoming a fan on Facebook and Twitter.

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