Earth Day

Did you know your Indianapolis Zoo started taking care of the world’s wildlife before Earth Day was established? The Indianapolis Zoo opened its doors to the public in 1964 and the very first Earth Day was held in 1970. After more than 60 years, the Zoo’s commitment remains intact!

The Zoo’s Conservation Impact

The Indianapolis Zoo’s influence reaches beyond what you see during regular visits. Members of the Global Center for Species Survival, Life Sciences, Conservation Educators and many more contribute to support biodiversity conservation and conservationists around the planet Earth!

Zoo team members:

• Support the research and release of Hellbenders in Indiana waterways
• Participate in conservation planning workshops for threatened species like the threatened Swallowtail butterflies and horseshoe crabs
• Support propagating efforts for native mussels
• Monitor rare plants
• Improve the resilience of communities protecting White-Bellied pangolins
• Support efforts to bring back the Mexican pupfish, which is extinct in the wild
• And more!

What Guests Can Do

Everyone can help the planet by making small choices every day that can have a big impact!

You can help protect our planet by:

• Reducing your foodprint by eating sustainably (choosing sustainable seafood, eating locally, reducing meat consumption, buying sustainable palm oil)
• Reducing plastic use
• Choosing FSC-certified wood and paper products 
• Recycling old cell phones 
• Enjoying time in nature

Take the Earth Day Pledge and join the Zoo in making small changes to protect our shared planet.