Cool Blue Bridgeport Means Free Zoo Admission Saturdays For City Residents

News release from Mayor’s Office:

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is joined by City officials to invite Bridgeport residents to “Cool Blue Bridgeport,” a virtual and on-grounds educational program about climate change in combination with free admission to the Zoo every Saturday.

Awarded as a grant from the City of Bridgeport through the American Rescue Plan, the Zoo will provide free admission every Saturday to Bridgeport residents through June 25, 2022, limited by ticket availability” Bridgeport residents must register for free tickets online at beardsleyzoo.org, using the code “COOLBLUE.” A photo ID with proof of residence will be required at the gate, either a driver’s license or a Park City ID.

Cool Blue Bridgeport (CBB) will provide programming throughout the school year, with a focus on climate change, climate action, and learning from the traits and adaptations of animals. Activities to promote youth and family learning will take place at the Zoo on Saturdays, as well as online to make learning accessible whenever it is convenient to Bridgeport families. CBB will engage families and young people through learning programs, hands-on activities, online videos, and design challenges.

The program includes:
· A Cool Blue Bridgeport Action (CBBA) Passport for Bridgeport families. Families will be offered conservation-themed activities both on site during their visit as well as online.

· The CBBA Passport will take residents on an exciting journey focusing on animals at the Zoo, their adaptations and climate dependencies.

· Bridgeport’s rich history as a port city and shoreline community will be incorporated by educators linking climate change to local geography and landmarks.

· The CBBA Passport will introduce students and families to new animals, new events, and new programming to assist them in exploring the Zoo in ways never before possible.

· Upcoming activities for the year will include various lectures, 10 Virtual Wild Assemblies with Bridgeport Public middle and high schools, Teacher Nights at the Zoo, and STEM/STREAM Design Challenges.

“This is just one more way that Bridgeport’s ARP grant funds are supporting educational and recreational programs to benefit Bridgeport families and young people. We appreciate all that the Zoo has to offer–it’s a science and nature experience, it’s a day out on beautiful grounds, and now the visit includes teachings on climate change,” stated Mayor Ganim. “We’ll all be doing more to address climate change and awareness of the issues–so we appreciate CBZ doing this in a fun way and making it a free day for residents at the zoo.”

“Climate change is happening all around us,” said Zoo Director Gregg Dancho. “Bridgeport is subject to the same challenges facing urban populations globally when it comes to climate change. We see it in the form of more frequent extreme storms, damaging winds and flooding, rising sea levels, and altered migration patterns in many animal species. The good news is that there are things that we can all do to help and we look forward to sharing these solutions.”

1+
Share

One comment

  1. When I was younger, I believed zoos were not harmful and enjoyed going and seeing the animals. I went because I loved animals. Then I educated myself and learned that these innocent animals are imprisoned and exploited in zoos and do not represent in any way how these animals live in nature. Zoos exist to make money to justify their existence and put minimal amount back into conserving species and their habitat, meanwhile fooling the public into believing they are actually doing something about conservation, a myth to keep the money coming in and their jobs intact. Zoo animals are abused and to be clear – the abuse is the actual imprisonment which harms them mentally, physically and emotionally every day and does not have to be physical beatings. These animals are not “sacrificial ambassadors” for their free brothers and sisters. It’s not their responsibility to entertain and educate people who choose not to educate themselves. Now as an adult I do NOT go to zoos because I love animals. – Madeline Dennis Raleigh

    1+

Leave a Reply