Urban Wildlife

Rock & Roar Zoo Party Fundraiser June 14

Submitted by Cheri Mikowski, WZZM Receptionist & Community Blogger

Friday, June 7th, 2013, 9:00am

Rock & Roar Zoo Party Fundraiser June 14

Celebrate the beginning of summer with the best party in town at the John Ball Zoo on June 14.

The event starts at 7 p.m. with a pre-party inside the Bissell Tree House. Visitors can then mingle throughout the zoo, enjoying food stations, demonstrations, activities, a silent auction, musical entertainment and much more. The event wraps up at 11 p.m.

Proceeds from the zoo party will benefit the new tiger exhibit. For ticket information, visit the John Ball Zoo Society's website or call (616) 336-3063.

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Sibley Elementary students fight invasive plant

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 3:23pm

Sibley Elementary students fight invasive plant

Students at Sibley Elementary are doing their part to help stop invasive plants from taking over Millennium Park.

On May 14, students removed Garlic Mustard from the park, replacing the invasive plant with native plant seed balls they formed themselves. Preventing the spread of Garlic Mustard helps keep the food supply intact for birds, butterflies and other wildlife.

Last year, Sibley students built nesting boxes to support the wood duck population. A spokesman for the Grand Rapids Public Schools says activities like this teach students the importance of preservation and show them how they can make a difference.

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Arthritis Walk honors Grand Haven child

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Wednesday, May 1st, 2013, 4:53pm

Grand Rapids, Mich. (Arthritis Foundation) – Honoring 14-year-old Riley Innes of Grand Haven, the Arthritis Foundation will host Arthritis Walk on May 4, 2013, at the John Ball Park Zoo in Grand Rapids.

This annual event promotes the health benefits of physical activity while raising awareness and support for programs, services, and research that help people with arthritis.

Arthritis Walk is a fun and non-competitive three-mile walking event. Walkers will enjoy refreshments, music, messages, and other family-friendly activities all on the beautiful grounds of the John Ball Park Zoo. Proceeds support the Arthritis Foundation’s work to prevent, control, and find a cure for arthritis.

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Bissell Tree House Tour

Submitted by Cheri Mikowski, WZZM Receptionist & Community Blogger

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013, 11:00am

John Ball Zoo, located at 1300 W. Fulton St. in Grand Rapids, is a great place to host your parties.

The zoo is offering tours of its Bissell Tree House facility that started accepting reservations on August 1, 2012. RSVP to facilityrental@johnballzoosociety.org or call (616) 336-4314 to take a tour Wednesday, April 17, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

For more pictures and information, visit www.johnballzoosociety.org and click on "facility rental".

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WMEAC Film Series

Submitted by Michele Miller-Hansen, WZZM 13 Online Producer

Thursday, January 3rd, 2013, 3:12pm

Get inspired to take sustainable action! The WMEAC Film Series is a fun and accessible program designed to educate the West Michigan community on pressing environmental issues by offering screenings as an opportunity to engage audiences, inspiring them toward sustainable action. This is demonstrated throughout the series with expert speakers and panelists.

We're bringing back our environmental film series this winter with the West Michigan premiere of Promised Land, the first full-length feature film focused on the controversial topic of fracking, at Celebration Cinema! North. The series continues with a slate of four monthly documentaries to be screened at the Grand Rapids Public Museum on the first Tuesday of each month.

Promised Land
Friday, January 4, 7:30 p.m.
Celebration Cinema!

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Owl Moon

Submitted by Cheri Mikowski, WZZM Receptionist & Community Blogger

Monday, December 31st, 2012, 12:33pm

This family program takes place on January 3 from 6pm to 7:30pm at the Blandford Nature Center located 1715 Hillburn Avenue NW in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Parents can RSVP their children, birth to 7 years of age to take part in this fun experience. Children will have the chance to sip hot chocolate & listen to a winter classic tale about adventures during the night of a young boy & his grandfather. A guided hike to talk with the owls will follow.

Cost: $5 – members/ $6 non-members. Limit 45 Total participants.

Call: (616)735-6240 to RSVP

Go to www.blandfordnaturecenter.org for more event listings.

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Winter Break Special: Winter Survival

Submitted by Cheri Mikowski, WZZM Receptionist & Community Blogger

Thursday, December 20th, 2012, 2:36pm

RSVP soon, for this Winter Survival Special taking place on January 2, 2013 from 9am to 1pm at the Blandford Nature Center in the Learning Lab & on Trails located at 1715 Hillburn Avenue NW Grand Rapids, Michigan. This session will give you the knowledge of being prepared if you ever got stranded in the dead of winter. Learn some valuable survival techniques, including shelter building, constructing a fire & the proper attire.

Cost: $20/Members, $25/Non-Members (School age children 8-12 years of age)

Call: (616)735-6240 to RSVP or www.blandfordnaturecenter.org for other event listings.

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