Audubon Zoo will join conservation partners such as Entergy and NASA, to celebrate Party for the Planet: Spring into Action, the kick-off to Audubon’s series of events dedicated to making a positive impact on nature and wildlife. The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA)-accredited zoos and aquariums spend $230 million on field conservation alone, supporting projects benefitting more than 800 species in 130 countries. To date, the AZA Conservation Grants Fund has provided $7.7 million in support for 400+ projects worldwide. Currently, Audubon provides access to natural spaces and restored green spaces for pollinating insects and birds. At this event, visitors will have the opportunity to eceive pollinator seeds to continue taking action to make a positive impact on the natural world.

Guests can take part in fun opportunities to experience the natural world including hearing from a NASA Solar System Ambassador, attend a workshop hosted by Waterwise, learn about the soon-to-reopen Audubon Insectarium, and many more activities connecting guests to nature. Admission to this event is free to the public.

“When we provide opportunities to help people learn about sustainability and conservation, our surrounding communities benefit,” said Deanna Rodriguez, President and CEO of Entergy New Orleans. “An important part of a clean energy future includes protecting our natural resources that exist today. That’s why we continue to partner with the Audubon Nature Institute to encourage everyone to help take care of our environment.”

Afterwards, visitors are encouraged to grow native plants in their homes/schools/ community gardens—regardless of how small the space—to provide food and shelter for pollinating insects and birds and/or plant native (not tropical) milkweed for monarch butterflies.

This event will be the first of several Earth Day-oriented series from Audubon this Spring and will take place Saturday, March 30 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) at the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, 11000 Lake Forest Boulevard, New Orleans. (Note: This is not the zoo or aquarium location).

For more information about the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, click here. In the past, OffBeat has reported on Audubon’s efforts to encourage electronic/plastic recycling around the holidays via their “Lights for Lions” campaign.