We’re spreading the word – green practices are important!

• The Minnesota Zoo has a Green Team, dedicated to increasing green practices among Zoo staff and throughout the Zoo.
• Zoo education programs for K-12 students have a strong environmental component, teaching students about the importance of “reducing, reusing, and recycling”, providing things they can do to help the environment, and much more.
• The Zoo’s Earthfest event, in honor of Earth Day, is all about being 'green'.  Local environmental agencies host tables and share information about recycling, composting, green building and sustainable living with the public. The Zoo’s Education Department also has tables for making crafts using recycled material, worm composting, and educating about endangered species.
• The Zoo hosts an annual “Fish First” event, featuring seafood tasting from top Twin Cities’ chefs, in an effort to raise consumer awareness about the importance of buying seafood from sustainable sources.
• The Zoo participates in Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program. Aquariums staff educate the public about Sea Food Watch cards and distribute them near the Coral Reef display and Discovery Bay. Lancer Food Service, the Zoo’s food vendor, also practices sustainable seafood initiatives and promotes them to the public.
• The Zoo’s gift shops promote and sell green product to guests including but not limited to organic & bamboo apparel, fair trade merchandise, educational books, and reusable merchandise bags made from recycled materials.