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MEDIA
RELEASE
June 29, 2010
CONTACT:
Kara Bussabarger
kara.bussabarger@louisvilleky.gov
502-238-5331 (502-744-5639 Media Cell)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Louisville Zoo docent sets new volunteer
record—10,000 hours
Register now for upcoming docent training
Docent Janie Glass is the first ever Louisville
Zoo docent to volunteer a total of 10,000 hours.
Glass has been a docent, a volunteer teacher
who works with the Louisville Zoo Education Department, since 1989.
Over the years, she has served as secretary and
treasurer of the docent executive board, historian for the group
researching and updating records of past docents and currently is the
record keeper of the docent monthly hours. Janie has also taught
countless classes to school groups, at nursing homes, hospitals and day
care centers. One of her favorite things is to do interpretation inside
the HerpAquarium exhibit.
“Janie is a wonderful example of volunteer
dedication,” said Louisville Zoo Education Curator Marcelle Gianelloni,
who oversees the docent program. “Our Zoo wouldn’t be such a
high-quality community asset without our volunteers.”
Volunteers are an essential part of expanding
the operation and outreach of the Zoo, and docents are specifically
trained volunteers who teach others about animals. They make
presentations to school groups and various community organizations, and
they often add to Zoo visitors’ experiences with informal sessions with
animals and biofacts (biological artifacts like animal bones, feathers
and fur) on Zoo grounds. Docents volunteer more than 24,000 hours per
year for the Zoo.
“The docent organization is the backbone of the
education department,” Gianelloni said. “We couldn’t do what we do
without them.”
SEEKING DOCENTS
The Louisville Zoo is currently seeking docent
volunteers to work with the Louisville Zoo Education Department to
provide knowledge and information to Zoo guests. Docents help teach
school groups, day camps, share information with Zoo visitors and even
get to conduct educational outreach presentations in the community.
The next docent orientation sessions are
Thursday, July 15, and Saturday, July 17, at the MetaZoo Education
Center from 9 a.m. to noon.
The orientation session introduces one to the
rewards and advantages of being a docent at the Louisville Zoo, as well
as explains the obligations and responsibilities. Currently, the
Louisville Zoo has 142 volunteer docents, several of whom will talk
about their docent experience during the orientations.
If one chooses to become a Louisville Zoo
docent, extensive training will be provided. The training course
includes 50 hours of in-depth lectures, behind-the-scenes tours, keeper
talks and hands on activities. All of these experiences will help expand
one’s knowledge of the animals and plants at the Louisville Zoo and
enable him or her to provide information to all Zoo guests. There is a
$60 fee that covers the cost of training, a docent manual, T-shirt and a
badge.
Pre-registration for the orientation is
required, and one must be at least 18 years of age to participate. To
register, please contact Louisville Zoo Assistant Education Curator Doug
McCoy at
doug.mccoy@louisvilleky.gov or (502) 238-5343.
There are many other volunteer opportunities
for adults and teens throughout the Zoo that not only help with
education, but with animal care, horticulture and fundraising. For more
information on those volunteer opportunities, visit
http://www.louisvillezoo.org/jobs/volunteer or contact Louisville
Zoo Volunteer Coordinator Diane Taylor at
mary.taylor@louisvilleky.gov or (502) 238-5350.
***
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).
***
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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