The Louisville Zoo Youth Board presented the Zoo’s Foundation Board with a $4,000 check on Nov. 20—two days before Thanksgiving.

“The check was the perfect sentiment right before the Thanksgiving holiday, because we are so thankful for these wonderful young people who make up the Youth Board,” said Louisville Zoo Director John Walczak. “These teens have been significant contributors to many Zoo projects.”

The Youth Board has given more than $49,000 to the Zoo since 1997, which includes $7,000 for Lorikeet Landing, $15,000 for Gorilla Forest and $10,000 for the Boma African Petting Zoo.

The most recent $4,000 check is the first part of the $20,000 pledge the Youth Board made in 2006 to the Glacier Run Capital Campaign. Volunteer Coordinator Diane Taylor said the Board hopes to have the complete amount donated by 2010 in time for the exhibit’s estimated opening.

“I am so excited about this donation and very proud of the Youth Board,” Taylor said, noting that seeing the Youth Board fulfill its $20,000 pledge is one of the reasons she returned to the Zoo full-time. (She retired in 2004 after 27 years at the Zoo, and then worked part-time at the Zoo from August 2005 until she returned to the Zoo full-time earlier this month.)

“This small group of teens put in a lot of work to raise these funds,” Taylor said. “Nowadays it seems as if you only hear of teens doing bad things. Well, the teens on this Youth Board are doing awesome and amazing things! They are truly making a difference in the world.”

The Youth Board, consisting of 40 teens, raises money through face painting, sand art and removable tattoos at various times throughout the year. During the recent “World’s Largest Halloween Party!” at the Zoo, the Board made more than $3,000. Taylor said some companies even “hire” the Youth Board to set up special booths during company events at the Zoo.

“The Zoo’s Youth Board is always willing to go the extra mile to support their Zoo and its mission by helping raise funds. The Youth Board is very excited to contribute to the Glacier Run exhibit with their $20,000 donation,” said Davor Kusec, 16-year-old President of the Louisville Zoo Youth Board. “The first installment of the pledge shows that we are on the top of our game and that we are serious about reaching our goal.”

As Vice President of the Louisville Zoo Youth Board, Emily Goldstein, 16, knows the importance of Glacier Run. She recently returned from Canada where she spent 11 days studying polar bear migration with scientists while representing the Louisville Zoo as a teen artic ambassador.

“I can’t imagine a world without polar bears,” she said. “These magnificent

animals exemplify the awesome beauty of the Artic. Yet polar bears and their ecosystem are on the brink of destruction and extinction, threatened by our abuse and neglect. The mighty, magnificent polar bear has become a symbol of hope for a change in our global environmental policies. Glacier Run is not only an important part of the Zoo’s future, but it is going to be important to Kentucky as a whole. Its emphasis on saving the Arctic ecosystem will help educate the Commonwealth about global climate change and other conservation issues.”

Mayor Jerry Abramson touted the Youth Board’s dedication.

“The Youth Board has long been a true fri/files/storyimages/of the Zoo, donating thousands of dollars for some of the Zoo’s most exciting exhibits,” Abramson said. “The Youth Board’s support ensures that Glacier Run will be an innovative and dynamic exhibit our community can enjoy for years to come.”

Walczak agreed.

“The Zoo Youth Board is an important part of our Zoo family,” Walczak said. “Their commitment, hard work and enthusiasm speak volumes. I know these young teens will continue to take the charge of advancing the Zoo’s mission of ‘bettering the bond between people and our planet’ for years to come.”

The $25 million Glacier Run capital campaign currently sits at $12.2 million (which includes the $20,000 Youth Board pledge).

TEEN VOLUNTEERING

Volunteers have been making a difference at the Louisville Zoo for more than 21 years. During the 2006-2007 (July-June) fiscal year the Louisville Zoo had a total of 1,404 volunteers in a variety of departments including Horticulture, Maintenance, Administrative and Animal areas.  Together they contributed more than 62,524 hours of service with a total value of $1,371,558.75.

The Zoo Teen Volunteer Program is available for students ages 13 through 18 who are interested in exploring career opportunities in the zoo industry. Students must be 13 years old by the application deadline of the year in which they wish to participate. To serve on the Zoo Youth Board, one must first serve as a teen volunteer.

Volunteer benefits include learning about the animal world, its ecology and conservation, making new friends, developing new skills and contributing to the quality of life in our community.

            “Being a teen volunteer also provides leadership opportunities as well as on-the-job experience like showing up on time, working with others and doing paperwork,” Taylor said. “When I talk to potential volunteers, I can tell who really wants to volunteer and who doesn’t. There has to be a passion for the Zoo and its mission.”

Taylor works with each teen volunteer individually to select just the right volunteer opportunity that matches his or her availability, interests and special needs.

To discuss volunteer possibilities contact Volunteer Coordinator Diane Taylor at (502) 238-5350 or e-mail mary.taylor@louisvilleky.gov [3].