Extreme Heat Notice: Due to high heat & humidity, the Children’s Zoo may close early, and some animals may be indoors or off exhibit for their safety. Please stay hydrated and take breaks in shaded or indoor areas. 
Presented by:
A day built around the animals, plants, and people working to protect them. Meet conservation partners, dig into our first annual native Seed Sale, and see how small actions add up to big change.
Admission & Hours
The Festival is included with regular Zoo admission, or free for Friends of the Zoo members. Runs 9 AM to 3 PM.
Our First Annual Seed Sale
Fall is prime planting season. Take home native pollinator seeds and learn how to get them growing.
Meet Conservation Partners
Local and global organizations share the work being done to protect species and habitats, right alongside our keepers.
How to Experience the Festival
Small Actions, Big Change
From local pollinator gardens to global field projects, the Festival is your chance to see how small actions create big change for animals and ecosystems everywhere.
Conservation Booths
Local and global partners share the work being done to protect species and habitats.
Keeper Chats and Docent Discovery Carts
Hear from our team about the wildlife right here at the Zoo.
Hands-On Activities
Crafts, games, and lessons the whole family can dig into together.
Pollinator Learning
See how backyard gardens connect to conservation work happening worldwide.
Old Phone? New Treat!
Bring in your old cell phones, tablets, and iPads. Each device earns you a chip, and every chip gets you a free fountain drink at the Café.
Try Your Luck at the Raffle
Five dollars gets you five tries at some great prizes, all while supporting the Zoo’s conservation work.
First Annual Native Seed Sale
Fall is prime planting season for pollinator gardens. Stop by the Seed Sale for native flower seeds, plus a quick class on how to get them growing at home.
A Monarch Village
where kids of all ages can take part in activities to make and take items that support Monarch Butterflies, and earn their Monarch Marshall Badge for doing so.
Birdhouse Building Station
Build a high quality birdhouse right here at the Festival, then take it home and give your backyard birds a new place to nest.
Fold-Your-Own Zoo Animals
Pull up a seat at our Origami Tables and fold your very own zoo animal to take home, no experience necessary.
A Few Fresh Reasons to Come Out
Beyond the usual booths and chats, we’ve added a few new ways to get involved.
Our First Annual Seed Sale
Fall is prime planting season for pollinator gardens. Stop by our brand new Seed Sale for native flower seeds, plus a quick class on how to get them growing at home.
Time & Details TBD (More to come)
Old Phone? New Treat.
Bring in your old cell phones, tablets, and iPads. Each device earns you a chip, and every chip gets you a free fountain drink at the Café.
Try Your Luck at the Raffle
Five dollars gets you five tries at some great prizes, all while supporting the Zoo’s conservation work.
Booths, Chats, and Activities All Day Long
With Zoo staff and local partners on hand throughout the grounds, there’s always something new to find during the Festival.
- Docent Discovery Carts
- Native Seed Sale & Planting Class
- Keeper Chats
- Toad Abodes
- Seed Bombs
- Edible Earths
- Animal Hats
- RSPO booth
- Micro-beads
- This-Not-That booth
- Recycling
- Endangered Species Tower
- Freshwater Mussels station
- Waterways Protection
- Streambed Trailer
- Earth Tattoos
- Connect with us in the Animals & Man Conservation Center
Our Community Partners
The Festival is made possible through the participation of local organizations who share our commitment to wildlife and conservation.
Join Us for the Wildlife & Nature Festival
Bring the whole family and spend the day connecting with wildlife, plants, and the people working to protect them.
Proceeds from this event directly support the Zoo’s conservation efforts, animal care, and educational programs that inspire our community to protect wildlife and wild places.
