GLAZA to Participate in #GivingTuesday in Support Wildlife, 12/3

The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) has announced its participation in #GivingTuesday, a movement to celebrate and provide incentives to give that culminates with a global day of giving on December 3, 2013. #GivingTuesday is a first of its kind effort by a unique blend of charities, families, businesses and individuals to transform how people participate in the giving season, similar to how Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become synonymous with holiday shopping.

According to GLAZA President Connie Morgan, "We invite people to participate in #GivingTuesday by playing a personal role in conserving and saving wildlife through donating to one or more of GLAZA's programs. In keeping with the season's spirit, donations can be made in honor of a loved one, as a gift to a friend or family member, or simply for the giver."

Among GLAZA's giving opportunities:
ADOPT AN ANIMAL
What do you get the person who has everything? Consider something wild. A Holiday ADOPT item from GLAZA allows you to pick from a wide variety of LA Zoo denizens and includes an official ADOPT certificate, animal fact sheet and more. Prices range from $35 to $1,000.

SUPPORT BEHAVIORAL ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES
Environmental enrichment is the process of providing stimulating environments for Zoo animals in order for them to demonstrate their species-typical behavior, to allow them to exercise control or choice over their environment, and to enhance their well-being. Enrichment includes the design of stimulating enclosures and the introduction of objects, sounds, smells or other stimuli to add creativity and fun. A gift of any amount can provide any number of animals increased activity throughout the day.

PROVIDE A SCHOLARSHIP TO SEND ONE CHILD TO ZOOCAMP
ZooCamp is the Los Angeles Zoo's seasonal day camp for kids ages 4 through 12 offered each winter, spring, and summer. ZooCampers participate in a variety of activities, including classes on conservation and zoology, arts and crafts, identification of plants and animals, and animal encounters. In the past 25 years, more than 17,500 campers have participated in the ZooCamp adventure that combines learning with doing. Each year GLAZA works to raise funds to support ZooCamp scholarships for children with financial need so that more than 100 children each year can attend ZooCamp at no charge. The cost of ZooCamp is approximately $400 per child.

PROVIDE A SCHOLARSHIP TO SEND A BUS-LOAD OF STUDENTS TO THE ZOO
ZooPals is a unique scholarship program available to schools with financial need, such as Title I schools, so that underserved schoolchildren can visit the Zoo. Funded solely by grants, this special program provides qualified schools and/or groups with free admission and free transportation to the Los Angeles Zoo for a self-directed or docent-guided tour. ZooPals funding allows recipients (who would otherwise be unable to experience the Zoo) to make a direct connection to nature and animals as they learn important lessons about conservation and ecology. The cost to send a bus full of school children to the Zoo for the day is approximately $500.

TRIBUTE GIFTS
Show your loved ones and our animals how much you care this holiday season by making a gift to support the Zoo in honor of someone special. We will mail a special card to them (or to you for an easy stocking stuffer or special Hanukkah gift) noting the tribute.

MAKE A GENERAL DONATION TO SUPPORT THE ZOO'S MISSION
A general donation supports everything GLAZA does to assist the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens in its mission to nurture wildlife and enrich the human experience. Funds raised support worldwide conservation programs, education, enrichment and research.

#GivingTuesday began when a group of friends and partners, led by the 92nd Street Y, seeing an opportunity to channel the generous spirit of the holiday season to inspire action around charitable giving, came together to find ways to promote and celebrate the great American tradition of giving. The concept gained steam, leading to a group of founding partners including the United Nations Foundation, DonorsChoose.org, Mashable, Blackbaud, charity: water, GlobalGiving, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Kiva, Darden Restaurant Group, Groupon, Unilever and VentureThree Capital. Each week, new organizations have joined the movement and are providing creative ways people can embrace #GivingTuesday and collaborate in their giving efforts to create more meaningful results. "#GivingTuesday is a counter narrative to Black Friday and Cyber Monday because it reminds us that the spirit of the holiday giving season should be about community and not just consumerism," said Kathy Calvin, CEO of the UN Foundation. "The most meaningful gift we can give our children, loved ones, friends and neighbors is the commitment to work together to help build a better world."

The private, non-profit Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, founded in 1963 has funded plant and animal exhibits, species conservation, capital projects, and education and community outreach programs at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens for more than five decades. GLAZA also builds and invests endowment funds and operates seven essential departments on behalf of the L.A. Zoo: development, special events, marketing, publications, membership, volunteers, and oversight of the food and retail concessions. There are 73,000 member households in GLAZA representing more than 300,000 adults and children, the largest membership base of a cultural organization in Los Angeles. GLAZA additionally boasts a volunteer corps of more than 800 individuals.

The landmark Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, attracting 1.6 million visitors each year, is home to a diverse collection of 1,100 animals representing 250 different species, many of which are rare or endangered. Its lush grounds on 133 acres feature a botanical collection comprising over 800 different plant species with approximately 7,000 individual plants. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), whose members meet rigorous professional standards for animal welfare, the Zoo has achieved renown as an international leader in the preservation of endangered species and a conservation center for the care and study of wildlife. Among its most popular habitats are the LAIR (Living Amphibians, Invertebrates, and Reptiles), Elephants of Asia, and Campo Gorilla Reserve, with the eagerly awaited Rainforest of the Americas habitat scheduled to open soon. The Zoo's location in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways ideally positions it as a convenient destination enjoyed by locals and vacationers of all ages who can visit every day of the year except Christmas Day.

For more details about the #GivingTuesday movement, visit www.#GivingTuesday.org. #GivingTuesday donations may be made online at www.lazoo.org.

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