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Last updated on January 24, 2008

The mission of the Friends of the Zoo is to promote and support the activities of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)by educating the visitors to the Bronx Zoo about the value of conserving wild life and wild places.

Description:
The Friends of the Zoo promote the mission of WCS by serving as interpretive guides at the Bronx Zoo. Through this interaction with visitors, school groups, and program participants, they promote wildlife conservation. They work with the visiting public. There is no animal handling or contact. Their duties include:

 Giving guided tours to groups including school children, Girl/Boy Scouts, adult groups
 Assisting the Bronx Zoo Education Department with general audience programs and special events
 Assisting other Zoo departments with special events and projects
 Offering exhibit interpretation (mini-talks)
 Staffing 'Touch and Discover' (artifact) carts throughout the Zoo
 Staffing the Zoo Center Information Desk
 Staffing the volunteer office to answer the phone and take tour reservations

History:
The Wildlife Conservation Society traces its origin to April 26th, 1895 when New York State chartered the organization as the New York Zoological Society. In 1899 the NY Zoological Society opened the Bronx Zoo to fulfill its mandate to advance wildlife conservation, promote the study of zoology, and create a first-class zoological park. Today the Bronx Zoo is recognized as a world class zoo. With award-winning, cutting-edge exhibits featuring over 4,000 animals, there is no other zoo in the world that offers the diversity, superb viewing, and world-renowned expertise that assures a rewarding experience and the knowledge that visitors can make a difference in the world around them.

Contact person: Leslie Schneider, Coordinator Of Volunteers, (718) 220-5142, (email)
Office fax number: (718) 733-2921

Address:

2300 Southern Blvd. Bronx, NY 10460 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.wcs.org

Directions:

BY SUBWAY Take either the #2 or #5 train uptown to East Tremont Ave/West Farm Square. Exit to the left, through the turnstile. At street level, walk straight ahead (follow train uptown) on Boston Road 2 1/2 blocks to the Bronx Zoo gate. This is the Asia entrance (Gate A). To avoid the long stairs at East Tremont Ave station you can take the #2 train to Pelham Pkwy. which has an escalator. However this is a longer walk to the zoo. From the Pelham Pkwy. station exit to the right off train and again at the token booth. Once on the street walk straight on White Plains Road 1 block to Lydig Ave (you'll be walking past the stores and away from Pelham Pkwy). Make a right on Lydig Ave. At the intersection of Lydig and Bronx Park East make a right, then a quick left on Boston Road at the stoplight. The Bronx Zoo entrance is directly ahead, after the underpass. This is the Bronx River entrance (Gate B).   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: #2 or #5 train uptown to East Tremont Ave/West Farm Square,   Walk distance (in minutes): 10 min   Nearest Bus Stop: Bx 12, Bx 9, Bx 22, Bx 19, 5 min minute walk

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Volunteer Reflections    Post Your Own!
Average Rating (4 reflections)

Overall Experience   
Teaching and learning to respect our world

I work as a volunteer for thr Bronx Zoo and have had the pleasure to meet thousands of adults,children and tourists from all over the world. we teach all we meet about wildlife and how man and animal can live and work together to protect all species from becoming extinct. I am so pleased when I ask a young child about a certain animal or habitat and they know the answer. I see the world different since I became part of the Bronx Zoo volunteer program. posted by Ezooteach@Aol.Com on July 31, 2005

Overall Experience   
A totally satisfying and enriching experience!

Bronx Zoo is a user-friendly educational and recreational conservation promoting location within city limits. I enjoy having contact with visitors from all over the world. It is the culmination of a life of teaching and sharing knowledge and experience. posted on July 21, 2005

Overall Experience   
provides interest, companionship, and challenge

Friends of the Zoo has been my second family for over 27 years. It means a lot to be working within an organization like WCS, whose mission and achievements are estimable in both conservation and education. It also means a great deal to be working with a group of people who have similar interests. As a child, I visited quite often, enjoying the Bronx Zoo and all its animals. As an adult, I have been lucky enough to help others to appreciate the beautiful surroundings of Bronx Park, the exciting work of WCS staff in the field, and the fabulous habitats for fascinating animals. Standing side by side with other dedicated volunteers, observing gorillas observing us, it becomes clear that working with FOZ has been one of the treasured experiences of my life, and becoming a docent was one of the best decisions I ever made! The Bronx Zoo has changed a great deal, in appearance and design, over the years, yet its goals and values remain consistent. It is a pleasure to have philosophical stability alongside new challenges. Friends of the Zoo provides both. posted by suegoldberg on July 19, 2005

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