L.A. Zoo offers volunteer opportunities for adults and teens

Volunteer opportunities for high school students and adult Docents areoffered by the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA), announces Kirin Daugharty, manager of volunteer programs. To explore the possibilities, prospective high school student volunteers (entering 9th, 10th and 11th grades) and their parents are invited to an information meeting on Sunday, July 11, 2010, 10 am to 4 pm; and prospective adult Docent volunteers are invited to an information meeting on Saturday, July 24, 10 am to noon. Both meetings take place at the Los Angeles Zoo's Witherbee Auditorium, and check-in tables will be set up at the Zoo entrance. To attend, please call (323) 622.8114 to RSVP.

"Our volunteers range in age from 16 to 86, and they're an essential part of the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, creating a better environment for our animals and our visitors," says Daugharty. "We offer comprehensive training, and no previous experience is necessary. We're looking for people with a willingness to learn and a commitment to the welfare of our animals."

Daugharty was quoted in a recent newspaper story as saying, "We have 800 volunteers and 800 reasons to volunteer."

Many of GLAZA's docents and volunteers have provided over 40 years and more of service. In 2009, GLAZA docents alone contributed more than 76,000 hours to the Zoo.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Students entering grades 9, 10, or 11 in the fall are eligible for GLAZA's High School Student Volunteer program, an academically challenging opportunity to help at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens in a variety of ways ranging from assisting at special events and the Children's Zoo to supporting public education programs. Members complete a 10-week training course to learn about the world's biomes, animal adaptations, conservation, ecology, and education, and they are then required to volunteer a minimum of 60 hours per year for two years. The training course is offered on Sundays from 9 am to 4 pm beginning September 12, 2010.

Applicants must attend the day-long July 11 meeting (parents are requested to attend the morning session only), which includes a presentation about the program, group activities and interviews. Applications are accepted through July 11, 2010.

DOCENT PROGRAM
GLAZA offers a comprehensive program for adult docents, who serve as volunteer teachers sharing their knowledge of the Zoo and its flora and fauna with adults and children through touring, use of bio fact carts, and numerous educational programs and classes. Docents complete a 23-week training program offered at the Zoo each fall in conjunction with UCLA Extension. The weekly six-hour Monday or Saturday classes focus on taxonomy of both the plants and animals at the Zoo as well as ecology and conservation. Docents duties are as varied as those performing them, and individual opportunities are discussed and developed throughout the training course.

Docents must be 18 years or older when applying and be able to commit 100 hours per year for a minimum of two years. Applications are accepted through August 14, 2010.

The Los Angeles Zoo is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. Free parking is available.

Full descriptions of volunteer and docent opportunities and requirements are available at www.lazoo.org in the "Volunteers" section, and general information is available by calling (323) 622-8114 or emailing volunteers@lazoo.org.