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Volunteering During animals, event schedules, continuing education opportunities,
and volunteer program milestones. The volunteer program
a Pandemic hosts virtual meetings and celebrations as well.

While the Merry Mask Makers made masks, other
The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily closed Brookfield volunteers also pitched in. Some prepared materials for future
Zoo to both the public and volunteers last March, and again use in Zoo Camp and Play Zoo activities. Others created
in January and February of 2021. However, the Volunteer Brookfield Zoo Volunteers’ Nature Walks—currently edited
Engagement program has remained active, pivoting from by Mary Martinez and Lisa Bathey—that encourages zoo
mostly on-site to off-site activities. Last year, volunteers volunteers to share photographs and essays about experiences
collectively contributed nearly 25,000 hours to the Chicago with wildlife and nature during the pandemic.
Zoological Society and Brookfield Zoo. Volunteers spent about 10,600 hours in self-directed
“Volunteers have remained incredibly engaged and continuing education last year. They can earn volunteer
supportive. We didn’t stop communicating with them,” hours by watching wildlife and nature programming avail-
said Mezydlo. They continue to receive Mezydlo’s weekly able on television and online. A favorite has been Brookfield
emailed newsletter filled with the latest news about zoo
Zoo’s “Bringing the Zoo to You” videos. These fascinating
and educational presentations—featuring Brookfield Zoo
animals and the staff members who care for them—have
become a lifeline that connects volunteers to the zoo and
the animals they love.
When the zoo reopened to the public last July on a
limited basis, most volunteers remained off-site. But when
shifts opened up for “gazebo greeters” to welcome guests
back to the zoo, 80 volunteers donned masks and reported
for duty during the summer months.
The Chicago Zoological Society and Brookfield Zoo
are looking forward to welcoming our volunteers back just
th
in time to celebrate the program’s important 50 anniversary.
We are so grateful for all of their hard work and dedication
over the years.

2010 The Chicago Zoological Society hosted
the national conference of the Association of Zoo
and Aquarium Docents and Volunteers (AZADV).
After three years of planning, Brookfield Zoo
2007 The giraffe is the animal mascot of the zoo’s welcomed several hundred volunteers from all over
volunteer program. A giraffe calf born in 2007 was named the country for the week-long event. The conference
Arnieta, in honor of Arnieta Kurtz, the Society’s longest- included prominent keynote speakers in the field
serving volunteer at that time. She passed away in 2018 of conservation and trips to local zoos, nature
with 46 years of volunteer service. A memorial plaque at centers, and other conservation-related institutions
the HABITAT AFRICA! water hole marks the special and museums. CZS volunteers previously hosted
relationship between our volunteers and our giraffe. the conference in 2001.

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