Renew the Zoo

Spend a Saturday Beautifying the Zoo!

The second Saturday of each month, 8 to 11 a.m.

You may associate the phrase “endangered species” with animals, but did you know there are many endangered plant species? The first step in preserving an endangered animal species is preserving the flora in its habitat. Therefore, the role of the Zoo’s horticulture department is more than just to create beautiful gardens for the animals and visitors; it is to help spread the message of habitat conservation and vegetation management.

• Several native and endangered plant gardens throughout the Zoo provide food and cover for local animals and require less water and care than gardens of exotic plants. Visit our native gardens for ideas for your own garden. Then, ask an expert at your local garden center about the kinds of native plants you can grow. Remember, native plants mean less work for you!
  
• Drought tolerant plants are used when possible and irrigation control systems further reduce water demand.
• We protect the health of our gardens with integrated pest management instead of herbicides or pesticides.
• Our continuing restoration of the coastal dunes around the Zoo creates habitat for native plant and animal species.
• Our Adult Volunteer Program helps with the Coastal Conservancy Habitat Restoration Partnership.

Since 1994, the dedicated volunteers of the Renew the Zoo program have assisted the horticulture department in this important effort. There’s a lot to do and we need your help!

We invite you, your family, friends, school, religious organization or corporation to join us for a rewarding opportunity to enjoy fresh air, new friends, exercise and fun while beautifying the Zoo! Your group can even organize a special Renew the Zoo “team building” day based on your schedule! You’ll be rewarded for your hard work with free admission to the Zoo for the day, refreshments, free ride coupons and, of course, the warm feeling you’ll get from helping the Zoo and promoting conservation!

Each Renew the Zoo day begins with a warm-up session to loosen up those muscles and get the blood flowing for the day’s activity.

Involvement in Renew the Zoo means:

•    Weeding and cleanup to eliminate the need for harmful pesticides
• Meeting new people of diverse backgrounds and all ages who share your commitment to conserving the Earth’s plant and animal species
• Sharing your expertise and developing new skills and interests
• Becoming part of San Francisco Zoo’s history
• Contributing to the ongoing development and improvement of the Renew the Zoo program, to ensure it will remain the successful program it has become today
• Getting really, really dirty!
  
  When: The second Saturday of each month, 8 to 11 a.m.
  
  Where: Meet by the old entrance gate on Sloat Blvd. at 45th Ave.
  
  Wear: Something warm and comfortable that you don’t mind getting dirty. We provide tools and work gloves, but if you have work gloves, bring them just in case.
  
  To sign up: Pre-registration is required; call (415) 522-9702 or e-mail renewthezoo@sfzoo.org. Leave a message including: the date you’d like to work, name and phone number of a contact person, the name of your organization (if any) and the approximate number of people coming to the event.

  Visit our Calendar of Events for upcoming dates.