Riverbanks Zoo throws ‘Party for the Planet’ for good cause

WHAT: Party for the Planet

WHEN: Saturday, April 23

WHERE: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

If Mother Nature were your real-life mother, she would be so mad at you.

Not only would she take away your cellphone and tablet, but also your TV and maybe even your car. So, why is she so angry? Just look around. This planet is a pigsty! There is literally trash everywhere. From the depths of the oceans to the air we breath, we have pushed our poor, tired Mother Nature to the brink of having a nervous meltdown – literally. So it’s only right at times like these that we rally to show our love and support for her by throwing a huge and much-deserved party.

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden will join more than 120 zoos and aquariums from around the continent for “Party for the Planet,” the largest celebration in honor of Earth Day in North America.

“We’ve participated since the beginning when it was launched through the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA),” said Syndi Castellucio, Riverbanks’ event day planner. “The main purpose of the event is to celebrate nature. It’s going to focus on the things that we want people to appreciate and understand: Earth’s natural resources.”

The zoo and garden sides have teamed up for this bio-diverse event, with exhibits and events planned for just about every half hour throughout the park. Highlights include animal enrichment talk-backs, as well as information on oceans, waterways, marine debris, climate change and how we humans affect the environment.

So what can we do?

According to Castellucio, if we all pledge to conserve, protect and preserve the species and resources we have, we can start making a difference. In fact, at this event each party-goer will be challenged to take the plastic pledge.

“If you take the pledge, we’re going to put a big sticker on you – 4 inches, to be exact – that says, ‘I pledge to refuse and not use plastic for the day.’ At the park we’re going to have them promise not to use straws, lids and single-use bags. And then challenge them to take it a step further; do it at home.”

They’ve even partnered with SCE&G to inform homeowners how they can incorporate solar energy into offsetting their electricity costs.

“We take very seriously our community and our members and guests connection to the zoo,” said Castellucio. “Party for the Planet is only the beginning. It’s part of the trifecta: Earth Day, Endangered Species Day and World Oceans Day. It’s April, May and June so they’re backed right up to each other and this is the party that gets it all started.”

THE VIBE: From the gate you will notice loads of activities like a trash talk, the plastic pledge and even a plastic pledge for kids that will result in a bottle cap mural in the likeness of Earth. The goal of the event is to not beat you over the head with environmental cautionary tales but to help you – and younger generations – understand that we have natural resources but they are not limitless. If you misuse, mishandle or mismanage them, there are consequences.

THE VERDICT: There is so much that we can do to help protect our planet and all its inhabitants, but it starts with us. Check out Party for the Planet to learn more about how you can help. Take the plastic pledge and lead by example. To quote a mighty champion of Earth named Captain Planet, “the power is yours!”

This story was originally published April 19, 2016 at 8:01 PM with the headline "Riverbanks Zoo throws ‘Party for the Planet’ for good cause."