The AAZK Lion Country Safari Chapter in West Palm Beach, FL has been focused on increasing fundraising efforts to benefit conservation organizations locally and internationally. Chapter members have developed a cell phone recycling program on property that encourages guests to bring in used cell phones for recycling. This program not only helps save valuable wildlife habitats and reduces electronic waste entering landfills, but also helps fund conservation projects sponsored by the chapter. Last year, the chapter was able to recycle over 1,700 cell phones, placing the AAZK Lion Country Safari Chapter among the top ten collection organizations with recycling partner ECO-CELL.
Several regular fundraisers throughout the year such as a staff art show, bake sale, holiday candy-gram sale, and chili cook-off competition allow the chapter to support a number of conservation initiatives including “Trees for You and Me.” Each year the AAZK Lion Country Safari Chapter has participated in this chapter challenge campaign and consistently ranks among the top contributors.
The chapter’s most successful fundraiser event is “Bowling for Rhinos.” Last year, an inaugural “Twilight Tour” of the safari with a focus on Lion Country Safari’s white rhinos promoted “Bowling for Rhinos” and helped raise additional funds for rhinoceros conservation. Since it was such a smashing success, the chapter is expanding the pre-event, night tour this year to allow more people to experience this unique opportunity to see the animals after hours. We look forward to another year of celebrating the zookeeping profession and commitment to wildlife conservation!
The AAZK Board of Directors sends their sincere appreciation to the Lion Country Safari Chapter for sponsoring this month’s issue of the Animal Keepers’ Forum. The Chapter made a special contribution designated for the AKF with their re-charter materials. It is the special contributions of our Chapters that allow our Association to continue to grow, expand your professional development opportunities, and reaffirm our commitment to your flagship conservation programs. Our thanks go out to the Lion Country Safari Chapter for sponsoring this month’s AKF, and to all of the Chapters that support the Association throughout the year.
The three top winners, and Lion Country Safari Chapter members, holding their art from this year’s AAZK Staff Art Show (from left to right): 2nd Place-Sara Ziegenfuss; 1st Place-Ashleigh Kandrac; 3rd Place-Sean Mallee.