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Rice is a docent, or volunteer educator. “I’ve been a docent
longer than I’ve been a mom!” said Rice, whose son was born
in the early 1980s. Rice is the only remaining member of the
first docent training cohort of 1977. Much of the training
was held in a classroom. It was as rigorous as a graduate course,
she said, with trainees expected to learn the basic biology of
various animals, and much more. (Docent training is still
rigorous today and conducted mostly online.)
Her responsibilities as a docent changed over time, Rice
said. Early on, docents gave tours in the zoo’s animal buildings
and taught classes to school groups and zoo members’ children.
“Now we’re scheduled in animal exhibits where we engage the
public, help people locate animals, and talk about animals
and conservation. Of course, we also answer questions.”
She has filled many other roles. After the HAMILL
FAMILY PLAY ZOO opened in 2001, she joined the Early
Childhood Docent program. She was a writer and photogra-
pher for the former Docent Journal publication and a volunteer
research assistant—she observed and recorded the behavior
of gorillas and snow leopards for CZS scientists.
“I have learned a tremendous Rice has spent many hours in continuing education—

amount and made wonderful doing research for her presentations to zoo visitors and taking
advantage of opportunities to learn from curators, animal care
friends.” specialists, and other experts. “I have learned a tremendous
amount and made wonderful friends,” she said. “One of the
Susan Rice, Indian Head Park, Docent joyous things about volunteering at the zoo is that people bond
and Early Childhood Docent/Play Zoo together.” Every Monday morning, Rice and other volunteers
meet for coffee and conversation before their shift begins.
When asked what she has noticed about zoo visitors over
When Susan Rice began her volunteer service at Brookfield Zoo, the years, Rice had two observations. Today’s visitors are more
TROPIC WORLD was being built, THE SWAMP was occupied diverse. “The kids are also much more knowledgeable about
by primates, and “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom”—hosted animals and conservation than kids were when I started.”
by zoologist Marlin Perkins—was the rare wildlife program on TV. Rice and her husband, Tom, who is also a volunteer, are
That was 43 years ago. Bison Circle donors. She is a governing member of CZS.

1971 The creation of the Brookfield Zoo
Volunteer Volunteer League was led by Edith Duckworth
and Charlene Carper. From 1972 to 1999,
Program the League ran the Elephant’s Trunk Gift Shop
and donated its profits to the Chicago Zoological
Society. Approximately 20 of the original “ET”
History volunteers now serve as “ZOOper” volunteers,
contributing to the efficient completion of office
Timeline projects at the zoo. The eldest active ZOOper
volunteer, Val Damon, is 101 years old!
Left to right: The late Dr. George Rabb, president emeritus of CZS; Edie Duckworth,
lifetime trustee and volunteer program cofounder; the late Arnieta Kurtz, longtime
volunteer; and Dr. Stuart Strahl, CZS president & CEO

18 GATEWAYS | VOLUNTEERS