Friday, April 29, 2011

BUFFALO ZOO AND POLAR BEARS INTERNATIONAL GIVE FIRST LOCAL PAW OF APPROVAL AWARD TO NICHOLS SCHOOL

Buffalo, N.Y.The Buffalo Zoo, in conjunction with Polar Bears International (PBI), has awarded its first annual “Paw of Approval” Award to Nichols School. On April 27, Buffalo Zoo President and CEO, Dr. Donna M. Fernandes, and Polar Bears International (PBI) President and CEO, Robert W. Buchanan presented the Paw of Approval Award to Head of School, Rick Bryan, who accepted the Award on behalf of Nichols during a presentation that also included one of the School’s fifth-grade classes.

PBI launched the Paw of Approval Award program in 2010. This honor recognizes businesses and organizations that make a conscious effort to reduce their carbon footprint by introducing initiatives to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This year, PBI expanded the program by reaching out to its Arctic Ambassador Centers, like the Buffalo Zoo, to acknowledge local organizations who are putting conservation measures at the forefront of their plans.

Nichols School was selected as the recipient of the Award for taking great strides in reducing its carbon footprint through the Big Green Initiative, a wide-ranging approach to campus sustainability, focusing on campus energy, materials, land and water use. Projects resulting from this initiative include conserving resources, composting food scraps, natural landscaping and incorporating sustainability education into its curriculum. The initiative promotes environmental literacy and sustainability education by involving all aspects of the School community.

Nichols also opened the Class of 1963 Center for Mathematics and Science in January 2010. The 24,000 square-foot facility boasts a sustainable design and numerous eco-friendly features. Among these are: a green roof, tinted window glass, south facing hallways, energy efficient lighting, concrete floors, reused desks and tables, a rain garden, energy saving sinks and toilets, hand dryers and sensor lighting.

The Award given to Nichols consists of a framed, limited-edition polar bear photograph by Daniel J. Cox of Natural Exposures.

“The PBI Paw of Approval Award recognizes environmental leadership within our community,” said Fernandes. “We’re very proud to announce Nichols School as our first recipient.”

“We are honored to be recognized for our environmental sustainability efforts with the Big Green Initiative,” said Bryan. “We weave this consciousness into daily life and curriculum at Nichols – from our Upper School students who study environmental science and lead projects such as composting – to our fifth-grade students who visit the Zoo annually and work on projects applying what they experienced during that trip.”

The Buffalo Zoo was also a recipient of an award during the presentation. Buchanan presented the Zoo with PBI’s inaugural Champion of Polar Bear Award in recognition of the Zoo’s excellence in polar bear conservation.

“The Buffalo Zoo’s community outreach has been invaluable in informing, empowering and motivating the public to take action to reduce their carbon footprint,” Buchanan said.

Buchanan said that sea-ice losses in the Arctic threaten polar bear survival. Polar bears rely on the sea ice to hunt, breed, and, in some cases, to den. According to PBI’s Senior Scientist Steven C. Amstrup, however, it’s not too late save polar bears and their sea-ice habitat by significantly reducing CO2.

“The research shows that hope remains,” Buchanan said, “but it also shows that we must act quickly. Zoos like the Buffalo Zoo can play an important role in informing and inspiring the public. That’s why we’re pleased and proud to recognize the Buffalo Zoo’s achievements.”

The Buffalo Zoo is part of PBI’s network of Arctic Ambassador Center Zoos. These centers focus on animal well-being and enrichment, take a leadership role in stewardship and carbon reduction efforts in their communities, and participate in PBI polar bear research efforts. They also take part in PBI outreach programs including:

· Leadership Camps on the tundra for teens, zookeepers, and zoo educators that focus on polar bears and a warming Arctic

· Tundra Connections broadcasts, which link scientists and educators in the field during the polar bear migration with students in remote classrooms

“We have been very proud to partner with PBI on a number of projects, including most recently ‘Bundle Up For Polar Bears’ in the public schools and ‘The Bear Minimums’ for area families,” Fernandes said. “Our relationship with PBI has enabled us to have even more resources to help us spread the message of polar bear conservation.”

During his stay in Buffalo, Buchanan also met with Fernandes, the Zoo’s Board of Directors and other Zoo staff members, which include alumni from these programs.

“Our ongoing relationship with the Buffalo Zoo is important to us—and to the polar bears,” Buchanan said. “Zoos like the Buffalo Zoo have the ability to reach hundreds of thousands of people with their conservation message.”

About Nichols School

Nichols School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school serving grades 5 through 12. Located in Buffalo, N.Y., Nichols is non-denominational, with 558 students from across Western New York and Southern Ontario, as well as several international students. The dedicated faculty is focused on preparing students to thrive in the global community of the 21st century. Students develop strong work ethic, integrity and responsibility in their academic, social and personal lives. Founded in 1892, Nichols is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools. Visit www.nicholsschool.org.

About the Buffalo Zoo

Founded in 1875, the Buffalo Zoo is the third oldest zoo in the United States. Each year, the Buffalo Zoo welcomes more than 400,000 visitors and is the most visited cultural attraction in Western New York. Located on 23.5 acres of Olmsted's beautiful Delaware Park, the Buffalo Zoo houses approximately 1,200 endangered and domestic animals and offers visitors a variety of events and educational programs year-round. The Buffalo Zoo’s philosophy is to exhibit animals and plants in naturalistic settings that represent their native habitats. The Zoo is dedicated to providing visitors with a better understanding of nature, including how animals relate to each other, their environment and to humankind. For more information, visit www.buffalozoo.org.

About Polar Bears International

Polar Bears International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the worldwide conservation of the polar bear and its habitat through research, stewardship, and education. Visit their web site to learn more about their programs at www.polarbearsinternational.org.


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Monday, April 25, 2011

Bear Awareness, May 21 at the Buffalo Zoo


Presented by Goya Foods

Visit the Buffalo Zoo today, and learn about our continued efforts at raising public awareness about bears and how their habitats are affected by global climate change. Highlights include informational tables, crafts, keeper talks and enrichment for the animals. The event runs from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and is free with Zoo admission. Please call (716) 995-6133 for more information.

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Celebrate Spring on May 8 at the Buffalo Zoo


Celebrate warmer weather at the Buffalo Zoo by witnessing sheep shearings at our Delta Sonic Heritage Farm, enjoy keeper talks, animal enrichments, a birding tour of the M&T Bank Rainforest Falls and have the opportunity to participate in some games. The event runs from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and is free with Zoo admission. For more information, please call (716) 995-6133.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Wines in the Wild, July 27


For years now, the annual Wines in the Wild event has been one of the summer’s most sought after tickets. Taking place on the grounds of the Buffalo Zoo on July 27, 2011, this annual benefit for the Zoo’s Adopt an Animal fund showcases some of the best restaurants, breweries, wineries and other specialty services in the Western New York Region. 2500 friends of the Zoo come together to help the Zoo and sample some of the best the area has to offer.

It is a great chance to make some of the Zoo’s friends your customers. If you want to bring the best of your establishment, join some longtime Zoo partners like Brodo, Brooklyn Lager, Buffalo Brew Pub, Flying Bison Brewery, Lake Effect Artisan Ice Cream, NorthAmerican Breweries, Long Trail Brewing, Lebro’s Restaurant, Perry’s Ice Cream, Pizza Plant, Johnson Estate Winery, Risa’s Restaurant, Global Group, Rich Products Catering, Sweet Jenny’s and many more.

Click here to show off your best to Western New York and help the Zoo.

If you want to help both your appetite and the Buffalo Zoo, come enjoy our basket auction, a silent auction and a visit from some our animal ambassadors. The event runs from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $40 pre-sale through July 26. Click Here for $40 Tickets. A limited amount of VIP tickets are available by phone only at a cost of $100, which includes a special champagne toast, early admission and special VIP bag of area goodies. Click Here for $100 Tickets. Or you can call (716) 995-6131 to order tickets by phone. You must be 21 years or older to attend. The more the merrier, so bring your friends and neighbors to enjoy this wonderful, casual evening to benefit the Buffalo Zoo. Wines in the Wild is the premier event of the summer and sells out very quickly. Don’t delay—get your tickets today!

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Mother's Day Brunch, May 8 at the Buffalo Zoo


Treat mom to a special sit down Mother's Day Brunch, by Current Catering! There will be one seating at 11:00 a.m., and pre-paid, non-refundable tickets are required due to limited seating. Tickets include Zoo admission, crafts and a gift for each of the moms. The prices for non-Zoo members are $20 for adults and $15 for children, ages 2-14. Children under the age of 24 months will be admitted for free. Members will receive a $3 discount per ticket. To make your reservation, please call the Events Coordinator at (716) 995-6133 or Click Here for Tickets

Monday, April 11, 2011

Buffalo Zoo Saddened By Death of Gorilla


Buffalo, NY – Members of the Buffalo Zoo staff are saddened by the death of Becky, a 29 year-old female western lowland gorilla, who passed away on Sunday, April 10th.

Animal care staff had observed Becky becoming significantly more lame over the course of the last week. On Sunday, she was immobilized to receive additional therapy for severe inflammation of muscle tissue and to undergo further diagnostic examination. While under anesthesia, her heart failed and she died. Preliminary necropsy results indicate she had severe inflammation of the lining of her abdominal wall and an infection on her leg. The Zoo is awaiting the final histopathology report to determine the source of these infections and whether they were involved in her heart muscle failure.

Becky was born at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago on October 15, 1981. She arrived at the Buffalo Zoo in May of 1987. During her lifetime, she gave birth to seven babies, including daughter Lily, who still resides at the Buffalo Zoo. Her other offspring are at zoos in Denver, Fort Worth, North Carolina, Omaha and Santa Barbara.

Becky was very popular with Zoo personnel and will be greatly missed. She will be remembered by her keepers for her intelligence, stubbornness and spunk.

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Thursday, April 7, 2011

Wild Workshops at the Buffalo Zoo

Eco-Challenge
Date: April 16, 2011
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
We all know the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling. Now find out how our friends in the animal world do just that everyday! From owls reusing nesting sites, to millipedes in the rainforest recycling nutrients back into soil, we will discover examples of recycling animals throughout the zoo. Through hands-on activities we will challenge ourselves to be more like the animals we encounter by finding unique ways to be ‘green’, like vermiculturing (worm-composting), eating a no-waste lunch at school, or using a rain catcher at home!

click here to download the WILD WORKSHOP REGISTRATION FORM

Pre-paid registration is required, and all participants are required to pay the workshop fee. For more information call us at (716) 995-6128

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Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Tickets on Sale Now For Breakfast With the Easter Bunny at the Buffalo Zoo!

Buffalo, NY – Hop on down to the Buffalo Zoo to dine with your favorite cotton-tailed friend during Breakfast With the Easter Bunny on April 16, 17 or 23!

The whole family will enjoy an “eggstravagant” breakfast brunch, catered by CJ’s Catering, the opportunity to visit with the Easter Bunny, a small treat for the kids and the chance to meet some of the Zoo’s animal ambassadors.

Breakfast With the Easter Bunny will take place on April 16, 17 and 23. The event will be held twice each day, with the first breakfast beginning at 9:00 a.m. and the second commencing at 11:00 a.m. (Please note that the 11:00 a.m. seating on April 17 is SOLD OUT.) Pre-paid, non-refundable tickets are required due to limited seating.

The prices are $14 for adults and $12 for children. Zoo members will receive a $3 discount per ticket. Children under 24 months old will be admitted for free. (High chairs are not available.) The fee for parking in the Zoo lot is $3.50 (with a portion of the proceeds going toward worldwide conservation projects).

For more information or to make reservations, please call the Buffalo Zoo at (716) 995-6133, or register online at www.buffalozoo.org.
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