Como Park Zoo & Conservatory will celebrate Earth Day with a three-day Party for the Planet sponsored by Xcel Energy on April 20-22. Visitors will find a myriad of free activities focusing on fun, creative ways to save energy, money and the planet with plant and animal ambassadors, interactive games, creative crafts and more! Plants and animals are experts at conserving energy. Visitors to Como's Party for the Planet will be encouraged to follow their lead by visiting themed energy stations learning ways to reduce energy use at home while preserving habitats near and far.
Xcel Energy will premier its new Polar Bear video providing a sneak peak inside the Polar Bear exhibit that includes energy efficiency tips and information. They’ll also encourage people to take the “Efficiency Proficiency” quiz on Facebook to be entered into a contest to win a $1,000 gift certificate for an ENERGY STAR qualified appliance.
"We're happy to partner with the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory to show people not only how easy it is to save energy and money but how big the environmental impact of small improvements can be," says Crystal Manik, Xcel Energy senior marketing business consultant.
Guests can also visit Disneynature’s CHIMPANZEE booth to participate in activities on how to protect habitats and wildlife in our own community and to play plinko for a chance to win CHIMPANZEE prizes!
Party for the Planet is a nation-wide celebration to help visitors discover ways to connect to the local environment to make a collective difference in conservation on a national and global level.
Recycle your cell and other small electronics at Como!
Gorillas and cell phones are connected—but not by a wireless carrier. The eastern part of the Congo is a prime source for an ore called Coltan (columbite-tantalite), used as a coating for cell phone components and other electronics. Illegally mined by rebel bands, the quest for Coltan has contributed to the destruction of gorilla habitat—a trend you can help reverse by bringing your old cell phone or handheld gadget to Como, The funding Como receives for every phone is then used to support Como’s conservation partnership with Gunung Palang Orangutan Project, a research effort studying the feeding ecology of orangutans. So, when you bring in your phone or gadget you’re supporting both gorillas and orangutans in the wild. Como has earned “Silverback” status as a major cell phone recycler, collecting more than 5,000 cell phones from the community since it joined the program in December 2005. Recently added to the items visitors are welcome to drop off for recycling are:
• iPods & other MP3 players
• Laptops
• Handheld game systems
• E-readers
• GPS handheld units
• Portable hard drives
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Green Activities: Chimpanzee Movie
It's not every day that you can do something good for the planet while going to the movies, but Disney's Chimpanzee (released April 20th by Disneynature) lets you do just that. For everyone who attends during opening week, Disneynature will donate to the Jane Goodall Institute.
I really enjoyed the film. Tim Allen's narration provides just enough humor to be engaging, without detracting from the story. The way the story is told is amazing - and so is the story itself, a story that really brings attention to how complex nature can be. The sensitive scenes are tastefully done - such as the fights between groups of chimpanzees - so that kids aren't shocked or scared. My daughters (2 and 4) did get a little bit uneasy in a few scenes, but overall had no problem with the film. The movie was a little bit long for the two-year-old, but the four-year-old was just fine through the whole thing. Afterwards, she was able to articulate most of the story to her father, which is good - it shows that this film has a very wide range of ages for which it's appropriate.
Another big benefit is the wealth of information available on the Chimpanzee website. You can find age-appropriate educational (and fun) activities for Chimpanzee and the other films released by Disneynature.
If you're looking for a film that is both engaging and educational, I recommend Chimpanzee.
Disclosure: I received screening tickets to facilitate this review.
I really enjoyed the film. Tim Allen's narration provides just enough humor to be engaging, without detracting from the story. The way the story is told is amazing - and so is the story itself, a story that really brings attention to how complex nature can be. The sensitive scenes are tastefully done - such as the fights between groups of chimpanzees - so that kids aren't shocked or scared. My daughters (2 and 4) did get a little bit uneasy in a few scenes, but overall had no problem with the film. The movie was a little bit long for the two-year-old, but the four-year-old was just fine through the whole thing. Afterwards, she was able to articulate most of the story to her father, which is good - it shows that this film has a very wide range of ages for which it's appropriate.
Another big benefit is the wealth of information available on the Chimpanzee website. You can find age-appropriate educational (and fun) activities for Chimpanzee and the other films released by Disneynature.
If you're looking for a film that is both engaging and educational, I recommend Chimpanzee.
Disclosure: I received screening tickets to facilitate this review.
Winning Green: Green Up Your Yard Contest
In commemoration of Earth Day, TurfMutt would like to see what you are doing to green up your yard.
Share a photo of yourself doing your part to make the landscape more green, more water-wise and a true backyard habitat for you and family – whatever that might be! Share with friends and family!
Send a jpeg or gif photo to turfmutt@opei.org by April 25th5pm Pacific.
The lucky winner gets a TurfMutt-branded Green Pack with eco-friendly school supplies inside, which could include a lunchbag, colored pencils, notepads, a water bottle and a seeded bookmark.
*By sending us this photo, you are okay with having your photo posted on the TurfMutt.com Web site and on the TurfMutt Facebook page. You must be in U.S. or Canada to receive the prize.
Why TurfMutt.com?
If you are a homeowner, parent or avid backyarder, TurfMutt.com is a handy resource for activities, ideas and tips on how to make your yards and green spaces healthy, strong and working hard to keep our air and water cleaner and home cooler.
Simply sign up for TurfMutt’s blog about the latest news and tips on creating and maintaining green spaces. Don’t forget, you can find TurfMutt on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.
If you are a teacher or student, you can learn more about the educational materials and the curriculum on the @School page. Due to overwhelming success, the TurfMutt curriculum is now expanded and available for K-5 grade levels!
Share a photo of yourself doing your part to make the landscape more green, more water-wise and a true backyard habitat for you and family – whatever that might be! Share with friends and family!
Send a jpeg or gif photo to turfmutt@opei.org by April 25th5pm Pacific.
The lucky winner gets a TurfMutt-branded Green Pack with eco-friendly school supplies inside, which could include a lunchbag, colored pencils, notepads, a water bottle and a seeded bookmark.
*By sending us this photo, you are okay with having your photo posted on the TurfMutt.com Web site and on the TurfMutt Facebook page. You must be in U.S. or Canada to receive the prize.
Why TurfMutt.com?
If you are a homeowner, parent or avid backyarder, TurfMutt.com is a handy resource for activities, ideas and tips on how to make your yards and green spaces healthy, strong and working hard to keep our air and water cleaner and home cooler.
Simply sign up for TurfMutt’s blog about the latest news and tips on creating and maintaining green spaces. Don’t forget, you can find TurfMutt on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.
If you are a teacher or student, you can learn more about the educational materials and the curriculum on the @School page. Due to overwhelming success, the TurfMutt curriculum is now expanded and available for K-5 grade levels!
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