ZooMontana Blog

Be My Valentine

2010-01-29T00:19:00.001-07:00

FAMILIES CAN SPEND A FREE DAY AT THE ZOO

ZooMontana plans 2nd Annual family Valentine’s Day event

Visitors can get into the zoo free of admission on Sunday, February 14th if they bring in a Valentine for their favorite animal.

ZooMontana will again host Be My Valentine from 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. on Valentine’s Day. People will be allowed free admission into the zoo if they bring in any item off of ZooMontana’s Wish List. Some items include: old perfumes and spices, cardboard rolls, stuffed animals, old toddler toys, large pet balls, garden hoses, hollow logs, and more. A full list of items can be viewed at www.zoomontana.org.

“Valentine’s Day is a great time to visit the zoo,” said ZooMontana Marketing Director Jenny McCullough. “Our animals are typically a lot more active in the cooler weather which allows for some entertaining observations.” Special animal enrichments and keeper chats will take place throughout the day. Children will also be able to write Valentine notes to their favorite animals at each exhibit. The zoo will also have a special sale on memberships during the event. All memberships sold or renewed will be $5.00 off; making most memberships $45.00 instead of $50.00.

ECF

2010-01-29T00:18:00.001-07:00

To give back to a community who supports us so enthusiastically; we have introduced a new Education Conservation Fund (ECF). This fund will provide scholarship opportunities for area high school students as well as contribute a donation to their school. The new fund will be supported by a general admission fee increase of $.25 cents went into effect in January. The additional fee, along with one dollar from every new or renewed membership, will go directly into the ECF. Our newly renovated Jr. Zoo Crew program intended for middle school students to explore the four “R’s”(reduce, reuse, recycle and restore) will also benefit from the new fund through activities and support in annual science fairs. What’s more, ZooMontana will use the ECF to work with local elementary educators to provide much needed support for science and math programs. Through the Education Conservation Fund, we hope to connect students to their natural world and encourage them to become conservation crusaders in their own back yard.

Animal Art Camp Full

2010-01-12T21:53:00.002-07:00

Our Animal Art Camp is now full, but please consider registering for the Around the World in 5 Days Spring Break Camp!

Animals enjoying the snow

2010-01-02T22:12:00.003-07:00

Bruno with his tire

Prince making a snow angel

River otter checking out the visitors

2009-12-03T16:30:00.001-07:00

2009-12-03T16:23:00.001-07:00

Our Baby Bighorn Is Growing Up!

2009-11-15T22:40:00.000-07:00

Cas

2009-11-15T22:37:00.000-07:00

Our male wolverine, Cas, hanging out on a chilly day.

Zoe Hanging Out

2009-11-15T22:32:00.000-07:00

Educational Trunks / Outreach

2009-11-15T21:35:00.001-07:00

Wicked Wine Walk

2009-11-05T14:01:00.003-07:00

I thought I would post some pics from our Wicked Wine Walk. It was a pretty good way to spend the evening before Boo at the Zoo. We enjoyed delectible appetizers from Beyond Basil and some irresistable wine from Simply Wine .

Boo at the Zoo

2009-10-29T09:11:00.002-07:00

Boo at the Zoo is this Saturday, 1-6! the weather is going to be 59 degress and partly cloudy.....perfect :)

Have a Green Halloween!

2009-10-23T14:57:00.008-06:00

Here is a link the the Director of the zoo sent me about ways to "Go Green" for Halloween. My fav is #2 Make Your Own Mask. I had no idea you could make your own face paint!

Thanks a Bunch!

2009-10-21T13:33:00.004-06:00

We just want to say thank you to Vann's for giving back to the community and supporting ZooMontana through their own version of an economic stimulus package. In the month of September they donated 5% of the total sale ($299+) to a Montana-based business specified by the customer. Bringing us to our 2nd round of thank you's......Thank you to Jonathan Coollins and Frank Clouse for choosing ZooMontana as the reciepient of your donation! We really appreciate it and your money will go towards the growth and maitenance of ZooMontana!

Thank You!

Pantyhose Pumpkins

2009-10-21T08:29:00.007-06:00

Yesterday I was looking up ideas for decoration for our event coming up, Boo at the Zoo, and came across this little project . I'm a bit of a DIY nut so I'm excited to try this one out. The directions call for dying the pantyhose, but is it sad I already have some orange ones......?

LINK

2009-10-21T08:25:00.003-06:00

So I just got the link to the site of the estate sale from the post below....click here , to check it out!

ZooMontana Estate Sale to benefit ZooMontana and the Yellowstone Art Museum

2009-10-20T09:37:00.006-06:00

Fine and decorative art from the estate of William Petersen

I can't believe I'm already talking about Christmas but it is coming up......quickly! So, if you have one of those people on your list that is IMPOSSIBLE to shop for check out this art auction. Even better, it benefits TWO non-profits!

-Painting and works on paper by Lanny Grant, Mark Thompson
-Sculpture by Michael Compton, Kent Ullberg, and others.
-Persian rugs
-Autographs of Tom Cruise, Mike Mansfield, and others
-Stamps
-Native American Art

All of this and much, much more is on view in the Yellowstone Art Museum's Young Artists' Gallery. All items sold by sealed bid in two large showings.

Showing 1 on view October 17-November 2
Showing 2 on view November 6-29

For more information call ZooMontana at (406) 652-8100 or the YAM at (406) 256-6804

Addicted.....

2009-10-14T13:49:00.004-06:00

Addicted to facebook? Become a fan of ZooMontana ! Keep up to date on events, our critters, new pics, and you can converse with other fans of ZooMontana. Also, our website, ZooMontana.org, is undergoing some construction (not as annoying as the Shiloh rd construction though), keep checking it out for further updates!

ZOOmba (zumba)

2009-10-03T10:14:00.004-06:00

Dance into the autumn season with Zumba! Saturday, October 17th at 10:00AM we will be hosting a Zumba dance class out on the Plaza! The cost is $15.00 and all of the proceedds will go to support the zoo! Here is a little more info..."ZUMBA combines high energy and motivating music with unique moves and combinations that allow you to dance away your worries. Based on the principle that a workout should be fun and easy to do, ZUMBA is great for the body, and great for the mind.
ZUMBA is a fusion of Latin and International music/dance themes creating a dynamic, exciting, effective fitness system! The routines feature aerobic/fitness interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body. ZUMBA utilizes the principals of fitness interval training and resistance training to maximize caloric output, fat burning and total body toning. It is a mixture of body sculpting movements with easy to follow dance steps."

(haha this was the cheesiest picture I could find)

Wicked Wine Walk

2009-09-28T11:36:00.008-06:00

We have been getting tons of you asking about any Wild Wine Walks we will be having this fall. Our last one was in August and it was a huuuuge hit! We decided we needed to have another one ASAP! September has come and gone and we have yet to have one and with Halloween soon approaching we thought that it shouldn't just be for the little kiddies! That's why we will be having our 1st anual Wicked Wine Walk, Friday, October 30th! Come out and enjoy a nice fall evening complete with wine, animal artists, auctions, friends, and most importantly.......a huanted trail just for you thrill seekers! I will have more details soon to come.......by the way, what do you guys think about coming in costume? please leave your comments below.....we need your feedback!

Winter Hours

2009-09-26T15:24:00.002-06:00

Admissions are open 10-3 and grounds close at 4. we will resume our longer hours next spring.

Fall Programs!

2009-09-24T12:19:00.003-06:00

Here is a run down of all of our Fall Education Programs we offer. Please contact Courtney at education@zoomontana.org or call at 652-8100 with any questions. these are great opportunities for your kids to get invloved in something other than xbox on their time off from school!

October 15th
We offer 2 sessions filled with stories, games, crafts, and animal encounters! Choose to attend one session or attend both! Both sessions are appropriate for ages 6-8 years. Please bring a snack and sack lunch if attending both sessions. Remember to dress for the weather!
Session 1: 9:00-12:00 Camouflage Detectives!
Session 2: 1:00-4:00 p.m. Nocturnal Senses!
Pricing: Members: $30/session, $50 for both sessions
Nonmembers: $35/session, $60 for both sessions

October 16th-17th
Nocturnal Night at the Zoo! 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 a.m.
This is a sleepover that is appropriate for ages 9-11 years. At least one parent/guardian must accompany the child. Includes a Nocturnal Night souvenir, evening smores, a nocturnal night hike, Zoo admission for the entire next day, breakfast, up close animal encounters, a behind-the-scenes tour, keeper chat, and discovery activities! Dinner will not be provided. Maximum capacity is 15 children. Please bring all medications and dress for chilly outdoor activities!
Pricing: Members: $30/child, $20/adult
Nonmembers: $40/child, $30/adult

November Workshops:

Don’t spend the early dismissal days at home! Come to the zoo and learn about scat identification, skulls, hibernation, and winter behaviors of 3 types of animals. Choose to attend one workshop or attend them all! Lunch will not be provided. Appropriate for ages 8-11 years. Please dress for the weather!
November 4th: 1:00-4:00 p.m. Herbivores
November 5th: 1:00-4:00 p.m. Carnivores
November 6th: 1:00-4:00 p.m. Omnivores
Pricing: Members: $30/workshop, $75 for all 3
Nonmembers: $35/workshop, $90 for all 3

Winter Brrreak Workshops from Dec. 28th-Jan. 1st
Explore concepts of thermoregulation, tracking, den architecture, and more!
Choose to attend one day or attend them all! Please dress for the weather!
Workshop 1: 9:00-11:30 a.m. each day. Appropriate for ages 6-8 years.
Workshop 2: 12:30-3:00 p.m. each day. Appropriate for ages 9-11 years.
Pricing:
Members: $20/workshop, $85 for all 5
Nonmembers: $25/workshop, $110 for all 5

Cant Wait to hear from you!

Defining Moments

2009-09-18T23:07:00.011-06:00

It started out as just an everage day for one girl named Sierra. She and her family came to enjoy a day at the zoo and stopped by to take a peak at what we were doing for a Keeper Chat/Animal Enrichment. After I was done introducing Bruno I asked all of the kids listening, a question. Sierra answered correctly so we surprised her and took her into the bear building where she got to meet bruno up close and help zoo keepers Kari and Chanda do enrichment for him! Take a look at the cool pics below! We will be doing more of these "Defining Moments" but they won't be scheduled and you won't know we are doing one until the actual Keeper Chat/Enrichment......who will be the next lucky little one....????

Bruno IS in the background of this pic but due to my camera quality he didn't exactly show up.

Now you see what Bruno looks at all day!

Getting ready to hide some treats!

Check out Chanda's cool boots!!!

It's a bush! It's a tree! It's a vine! It's a person?

2009-09-13T10:20:00.002-06:00

At first glance there seemed to be a beautifully full grape vine growing up the side of our builing....then it moved....then it walked! Don't worry, we areen't running any weird experiments out here. We just had the priviledge of being entertained by a stilt performer by the name of Divine. She came all the way from San Diego to perform at ZooFari and it was probably one of the coolest/creepiest things I have ever seen. She seemed to grow right out of the building, or right off the tree! Then she started walking down the path and over the Eagle Bridge! Standing at over 8ft tall this was quite a sight! The pictures below do not do her performance justice because it was that neat!

Thank Goodness for Caffiene

2009-09-06T20:12:00.003-06:00

so here I am sitting in the nature store of the zoo peering out of the admissions window. Why am I doing this at such an indecent hour? well, because there is a wedding reception going on! That's right! So many couples made the zoo their venue of choice for their ceremony AND their reception. They seem to be having a pretty good time out there....me, I am just thankful for diet coke (that's where the caffiene comes into play), fashion blogs, and facebook to keep me awake! Next summer is already filling up pretty quickly so if you are interested or if you have any questions about using the zoo to host your next event just contact Caitlin (me!), guestservices@zoomontana.org.

ZooMontana Blog

Be My Valentine

ECF

Animal Art Camp Full

Animals enjoying the snow

Our Baby Bighorn Is Growing Up!

Cas

Zoe Hanging Out

Educational Trunks / Outreach

Wicked Wine Walk

Boo at the Zoo

Have a Green Halloween!

Thanks a Bunch!

Pantyhose Pumpkins

**LINK**

ZooMontana Estate Sale to benefit ZooMontana and the Yellowstone Art Museum

Addicted.....

ZOOmba (zumba)

Wicked Wine Walk

Winter Hours

Fall Programs!

Defining Moments

It's a bush! It's a tree! It's a vine! It's a person?

Thank Goodness for Caffiene

LINK