Visitors celebrate Earth Day, animals at Cosley Zoo
Cosley Zoo joined more than 100 other zoos across the nation in celebrating Earth Day with a Party for the Planet Saturday.
The party at the Wheaton zoo included a performance by Dave Orleans, who played recycled instruments and did some "earthsinging," emphasizing environmental themes.
In addition, local conservation groups met with visitors to discuss their eco-friendly work, including The Conservation Foundation, SCARCE and the Wheaton Park District Green Team.
Of course, visitors had a chance to celebrate the animals as well, with duck feedings, chicken feedings, up-close viewings of a bobcat training session and animal presentations.
The Cosley Zoo held the event in conjunction with other zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to give visitors a chance to consider how their daily activities impact the environment. Cosley received its fourth consecutive accreditation from the association this past September.
"By helping to foster an appreciation for the Earth and its resources, we hope to inspire others to do their part to keep it healthy and protect our wildlife," Cosley Zoo Education Manager Natasha Fischer said in a statement.