Volunteer Opportunities Offered by GLAZA February 7, 2009

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
FOR HIGH-SCHOOL STUDENTS AND ADULTS
OFFERED BY GREATER LOS ANGELES ZOO ASSOCIATION
Prospective General Volunteer Orientation Information Meeting
Saturday, February 7, 2009, 10 a.m.
Volunteer opportunities at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens for adults and high school students will be presented and discussed at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association's (GLAZA) General Volunteer Orientation on Saturday, February 7, 10 a.m., at the Zoo's Witherbee Auditorium. General volunteers help with a number of activities throughout the zoo, and anyone 16 years and over is welcome to apply. The Orientation provides details about goals, requirements, and commitments necessary for the wide-ranging volunteer positions.
"We invite everyone to join this dedicated team," says Kirin Daugharty, manager of volunteer programs for GLAZA, which operates the Zoo's volunteer programs. "All that's required is a love of our natural world, an interest in spending time with visitors of all ages, and completion of the required training. There are many ways in which you can volunteer your time."
More than 750 individuals participate in GLAZA's docent and volunteer programs, and many have provided 20 years and more of service. To qualify, volunteers must submit an application, attend the February 7 Orientation and an interview, complete a two-week training course, and be fingerprinted.
"The Los Angeles Zoo is lucky to have one of the finest groups of volunteers in the country who donated over 70,000 hours of service last year," adds Daugharty. "Volunteers provide visitors with a unique and personal Zoo experience, and they play a vital role in fulfilling the Zoo's mission of 'Nurturing wildlife and enriching the human experience,' from helping with office work to assisting animal keepers."
Volunteer opportunities include the following:
MURIEL’S RANCH VOLUNTEER
Muriel’s Ranch is the Zoo’s contact yard, located in the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo. To be eligible, general volunteers must pass the prerequisite two-hour Muriel’s Ranch training class, provided monthly. Volunteers play liaison between the goats and the visitors by assisting with crowd control and occasionally maintain the yard.
SPECIAL EVENTS VOLUNTEER
The Zoo hosts a number of special events throughout the year, including Big Bunny's Spring Fling, Boo at the Zoo, and Reindeer Romp, to name a few. Volunteers assist Zoo visitors with themed crafts, give-aways, photo opportunities, and directional assistance.
FOOD PREP VOLUNTEER
Food Prep is available to general volunteers who have passed the 30-hour introductory period and are at least 18 years of age. Volunteers assist keepers with preparing animal diets such as cutting up fruits, vegetables, meat, and divvying out mealworms and crickets.
ENRICHMENT VOLUNTEERS
Enrichment is available to general volunteers who have passed the 30 hour introductory period and are at least 18 years of age. Volunteers help create feeder and play devices as well as exhibit adaptations.
RESEARCH VOLUNTEERS
Research volunteering is available to people 18 years of age and over who have completed the Observing Animals: Behavioral Studies in Zoos UCLA Extension course taught on Zoo grounds offered in the Fall. The class teaches observational techniques and is a non-invasive study on behavior.
The Zoo's docent and volunteer programs are among many programs presented by the private, non-profit Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, founded in 1963. The year 2009 marks four and one-half decades of GLAZA's success in supporting the Los Angeles Zoo's work as an educational resource for the citizens of Los Angeles, and as an international center for the conservation of endangered wildlife. GLAZA provides support for Los Angeles Zoo exhibits, conservation, capital projects, education programs, community outreach, research, and more through fund-raising and an endowment, membership, special events and more. GLAZA currently has 65,000 member households, the second largest non-profit organization membership in Los Angeles. Many of its nearly 300,000 individual members have sustained their GLAZA support for more than 20 years. The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is an international leader in the conservation of endangered species and one of the city's major cultural and entertainment resources.
The Los Angeles Zoo is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. Free parking is available. Full descriptions of volunteer and docent opportunities and requirements are available at www.lazoo.org in the "Volunteers" section, and general information is available by calling (323) 644-4703 or emailing volunteers@lazoo.org

Official Website: http://www.lazoo.org