Zoofari Volunteers NEEDED!

Sign up in Better Impact to reserve your volunteer shift—you may also register one additional person to volunteer alongside you. 

Volunteer shifts are generally ~2–3 hours, and there are a variety of fun roles and experiences throughout the evening.

First Shift: 5–8pm or 6–9pm (or 2-hour shift within those times)

Second Shift: 8–11pm (or 2-hour shift within those times)

Volunteer role examples:

• Welcome Drink Station
• Information Station
• Raffle Ticket Sales
• Suite Attendants — welcoming and assisting suite guests
• Silent Disco
• Restaurant Help
• Fun Themed Events - Wishing Well, Foolish Advice
• And more!

You’ll work for roughly half of the event, and then you’re welcome to enjoy the rest of the evening as a guest!

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION 

PICNIC COMING SOON!

Our Volunteer Appreciation Picnic will be extra spooky this year, on Monday, October 26, 2026!

We can’t wait to celebrate YOU! 

This is our big, end-of-year social event where we come together to enjoy dinner, prizes, drinks, and plenty of fun.

A quick reminder: per the Volunteer Handbook, this is the only event that requires active volunteer status (50 hours per year) to receive an invitation. Invitations will go out the last week of September to all volunteers who are on track to reach that 50-hour mark by year’s end.

What you need to do:

• Be sure all of your hours are logged by end of day Friday, September 4th. We’ll be pulling the report that evening to finalize the invitation list and request complimentary tickets.
• If life events have kept you from your usual volunteer hours this year, please don’t worry—we understand! Simply ask your volunteer supervisor to send Brittany and Amber an email so we can make sure you’re included.

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

**Don't see Events opportunities available in your Opportunity List? No worries!  Reach out to Brittany and we'll get you added in Better Impact.**

Chewie, First Time Mom at 30!

We all know Chewie is PREGNANT, but why does this matter?

 News organization, AXIOS, explains:

"Every western lowland gorilla birth is significant because the species is critically endangered in the wild, making Chewie's first pregnancy a win for both the Cincinnati Zoo and global conservation efforts."

Bowyer Farm: A Pit Stop Travel Essential for Migrating Birds

What Can You Do to Support Birds on Their Migration Journeys?

Plant for birds! 

Incorporating native plants into your garden is a great way to support migratory birds, as they host many insect species that birds rely on for protein and building muscle.

At least 204 bird species have been spotted out at Bowyer Farm. Click below to find out more from our fellow volunteer, Sylvia.

Remembering Skittles

Posted Aug 11, 2026 by Liz Bishop

One of the first things people think of when they think about the Cincinnati Zoo is the unforgettable sound of the gibbon calls echoing through the Zoo each morning.

For many years, guests and staff were greeted by the songs of two buff-cheeked gibbon sisters, Skittles and M&M, as they brachiated across Gibbon Island. 

Skittles was an extraordinary ambassador for her species and an unforgettable part of the Cincinnati Zoo. Her presence, personality, and morning calls brought joy to countless guests. 

She will be deeply missed, but the memories she created and the lives she touched will remain part of the zoo for years to come.

Dan Marsh Talks Turkey! (vulture)

I challenge you to try NOT to learn something new in this WVXU story!

Turtle Update - Cincinnati.com

One month after release, Cincinnati Zoo’s rehomed Eastern box turtles are thriving at Bowyer Farm. Explore early research findings, GPS tracking insights, and conservation efforts helping protect this native Ohio species.

Horticulture Events in August

As the summer comes to a close, we are celebrating another successful annual trial year in our gardens. 

This year, our partners have generously donated over 850 varieties of plants.

 During the week of August 24th, we are hosting two important Horticulture events that will give us an opportunity to show off our gardens:

Wednesday, August 26^th – 5^th Annual Breeder Showcase & Tradeshow (7am – 3:00pm)

Thursday, August 27^th – Plant Trials Symposium (8am – 5pm) 

We are expecting over 300 local and regional attendees both days representing the green industry and amateur gardeners alike including breeding companies, propagators, finished growers, landscape designers, educators, and various horticulture affiliated organizations.