Happy Learn About Butterflies Day!

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Learn about butterfliesMarch 14th is Learn About Butterflies Day–help us celebrate!

It may seem a bit premature to talk about insects that won’t reappear for another month or two, but our butterfly greenhouse opens in just over a month, so now’s the perfect time to brush up on your butterfly knowledge.

Also, it’s a good excuse to do these fun activities with your kids!

Why You Should Learn About Butterflies

1. They’re fascinating creatures.learn about butterflies

Butterflies are beautiful creatures that come in countless shapes, sizes, and colors. They live on every continent except Antarctica, and they’ve been around for at least 50 million years! They can’t hear (they sense vibrations like snakes), they taste through their feet, and some migrate up to 2,000 miles! Impressive, huh?

2. They help the environment.

Butterflies, like bees and other insects, are great pollinators; they help plants, trees, and shrubs to reproduce. Butterflies play an integral part in the food chain and their individual ecosystems. They also help scientific researchers by serving as indicators for how things affect our environment.

3. The more we know, the more we can help.

Due to factors such as climate change and habitat destruction, over 20 species in the U.S. are endangered or threatened. Though not yet considered a threatened species, Monarch populations have also been declining. The good news is, there are lots of things we can do to help–we just need to know a few things first!

How You Can Learn About Butterflies

1. Good ol’ fashioned BOOKS

We’ve got great resources on butterflies (for all ages) in the Natural Selections Gift Shop!

Learn About Butterflies

2.  Online Resources (Just be careful–not every source is a good one!)

A few good sources:

North American Butterfly Association

Monarchs: Near Threatened

Sponsor a garden at the National Butterfly Center
OR Create your own butterfly garden!

3. Visit Us

Come see these beauties up close from April 25 to November 1, 2015. Learn about different species, their life cycle, and other fun facts. We now offer the chance to feed the butterflies, too! Check out our Butterflies page for more information.

 Learn About Butterflies
Happy Learn About Butterflies Day–hope to see you soon!

Spring Forward: Exhibits, Events, and Warmer Temps!

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While it may feel like winter will never end, this weekend we “spring forward” by moving the clocks ahead an hour; if nothing else, at least it’s a step in the right direction!

Aside from the longer days, sunshine, and greenery to look forward to, we’re especially excited for spring because it means the return of our seasonal exhibits, plenty of kids visiting for field trips, and the anticipation of awesome events to come!

Dinosaurs Come to Life and Butterflies | April 25 – November 1

Our hugely popular dinosaur exhibit is back…and bigger than ever. Dinosaurs Come to Life features 6 static models and 7 life-size animatronic dinosaurs, the most we’ve ever had! With a whole T. rex family, the impressive Quetzalcoatlus (NEW!), and Dilophosaurus‘s new paint job, we can’t wait for you to see them all this spring!

Peaceful music, lush landscaping, and hundreds of flitting beauties–our butterfly greenhouse is like a springtime oasis. We also offer the opportunity to feed the butterflies. Since different species can be seen throughout the duration of the exhibit, be sure to stop in a few times to see them all!
Note: Memberships are great for visiting again and again!

New In the Gift Shop

In preparation for the slew of kids who will be coming through our doors soon, we stocked up on new items for the Natural Selections Gift Shop. Come check them out!spring forward

Event Sneak Peek

They’re still in the works, but we’re so anxious to share our events that we decided to give you a sneak peek!*

Ghost of the Bayou | May 22 – September 7

White alligators are extremely rare. From the Louisiana Bayou, these creatures are thought to be mystical, bringing good fortune to those who set eyes on them. We can’t say for sure if that’s true, but we invite you to visit this summer and find out for yourself…

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Dino Days | June 27 & 28

Join us for an entire weekend dedicated to dinosaurs. Paleontologist and dinosaur enthusiast “Dr. Dino” (AKA Chris DeLorey of the Brevard Zoo, FL) will be here to show off his extensive fossil collection and take guests on a special dino hunt! Fun activities, prehistoric artifacts, and animatronic dinosaurs–mark your calendars for this DINO-mite event!

Wine & Design: Paint for Conservation | July 11

On its own, Wine & Design is a great way to spend time with family & friends, paint a beautiful picture, and relax with a glass of wine (or two). This summer, we’re excited to pair the Wine & Design experience with a great cause: frog conservation.

Frogs are disappearing at an alarming rate, and this event will raise awareness and funds for the global amphibian crisis. Guests can paint a picture showcasing these beautiful creatures, then walk through our Exhibit Gallery to admire them in person. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to the AZA Amphibian Conservation Grant Fund, which supports amphibian-related conservation as well as scientific and educational initiatives.

Much of this event is still being planned, but we hope you’ll consider attending to help support this worthy cause (and enjoy a beautiful evening at the zoo)! We will post more information as soon as possible, but tickets should be on sale by late May.

*Event details subject to change
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Check back for more details and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for other important zoo updates.

In the mean time, until Spring actually arrives, keep warm!
(Our Winter Warm-Ups are perfect for getting out of the cold…hint, hint)

 

 

 

 

Give from the Heart: Valentine’s Day Gifts that Give Back

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give from the heart - fair trade jewelry

Sick of giving the same old flowers and candy to your special someone? Why not give from the heart with these Valentine’s Day gifts that give back?

give from the heart - fair trade jewelryWe carry countless fair trade items from around the world, but we think the Brass Images line is especially exquisite, making it a great gift for Valentine’s Day (or any occasion…like a Tuesday).

Based in South Africa, Brass Images produces handcrafted brass and copper jewelry. Artisans apply high heat to these metals to produce ruby red copper and antiqued brass finishes without the use of paints or dyes. Gemstone accents add a colorful touch to the beautiful ethnic designs. These pieces have a unique yet polished look that can be dressed up or down and are sure to make a statement this Valentine’s day–because nothing says, “I Love You” like gorgeous jewelry that supports artisans in South Africa!

give from the heart - fair trade jewelry

Not your style? Not to worry. Check out these other fair trade gifts on the Product Spotlight page, or stop in the Natural Selections Gift Shop and browse our wide selection in person!

Note: the beautiful metal leaf sculpture featured in these photos is also for sale!

It’s Not Too Late: Last Minute Gifts from Reptiland

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It happens every year: time is running out, and you just need one or two last minute gifts…

We’ve got you covered!

Our Holiday Gift Guide has some great ideas, or enlist the help of our gift shop staff–they’re happy to help you find the perfect gift. From high end items to costume jewelry and the smallest of stocking stuffers, we have it all. We’re also open from 10:00am to 5:00pm through Christmas Eve (closed Christmas day).

Or give the gift of a zoo experience (and buy it over the phone)!

Behind-the-Scenes Tours
Tour our off-display areas, see animals not exhibited in the zoo, and talk one-on-one with our animal experts.

Zoo Membership
membership

Ideal for families and individuals alike, our memberships offer unlimited free admissions for one year as well as discounts and other perks!

…and never underestimate the power of Gift Cards! Let the cardholder decide how to spend their zoo dollars, whether it’s on zoo membership, admissions, of merchandise!

No time to stop in and shop? No worries. Give us a call at 570.538.1869 and complete your order over the phone! We’ll even email a file that can be printed and given to the recipient until your gift arrives, complete with a description of what is included (for BTS tours & membership).

Good luck shopping for your last minute gifts, and best wishes for a happy & healthy holiday season!

zulugrass beaded jewelry

Natural Selections Gift Shop Spotlight: Zulugrass

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We strive to fill the Natural Selections Gift Shop with fun, educational items for children, while at the same time providing high-quality, unique gifts for adults. One of the product lines we’re proud to carry is Zulugrass.  A member of the Fair Trade Federation, Zulugrass offers beautiful handmade beaded jewelry, and purchasing it supports the very women that make it!  Read how it all started, then come to the Natural Selections Gift Shop to check Zulugrass out for yourself!

Zulugrass

Leading a traditionally pastoral lifestyle, the Maasai people of the Great Rift Valley of Kenya and Tanzania herd cattle and live off the land. Despite modernization and change happening around them, the Maasai continue to keep their culture and traditions alive, adorning themselves with colorful clothing and ornaments.

After a terrible drought devastated the area and killed their cattle, essentially destroying their livelihood, the Maasai men were forced to drive the few remaining cattle miles away in search of better grazing, while the women were left (ill-equipped) to feed, clothe, and support their families.

zulugrass

photo courtesy of leakeycollection.com

Philip and Katy Leakey live among the Maasai, and decided they had to do something to help their neighbors get through the hard times that lie ahead. By utilizing the natural resources around them and the skilled beadwork of the Maasai women, the Leakeys came up with an idea…and Zulugrass was born!

zulugrass beaded jewelryZulugrass jewelry is made from tall, native grass that is dried, cut into beads, dyed in over 200 colors, and strung onto durable elastic. The Leakeys added the touch of Czech glass beads for a more contemporary look with a bit of sparkle. The strands can be worn as necklaces, bracelets, anklets, chokers, and even belts!

zulugrassWomen began harvesting blades of grass one at a time for the unique handmade jewelry. Word spread of the opportunity that Zulugrass presented, allowing women the flexibility to bring their babies and toddlers to work and earn money for each piece of jewelry they made. Soon, women were walking as far as 2 hours each way to take advantage of this!

Zulugrass continues to grow, and now over 1,400 Maasai women are making Zulugrass, using their skills to support their families while maintaining the integrity of their traditional lifestyle.

Zulugrass is a fair trade product that supports the local economy of the Maasai people in Kenya.  For more information on Zulugrass jewelry and other fair trade products they make, visit www.leakeycollection.com.