“Our volunteers range in age from 16 to 86, and they’re an essential part of the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, creating a better environment for our animals and our visitors,†says Kirin Daughter, GLAZA’s manager of volunteer programs, “We have 800 volunteers and 800 reasons to volunteer. We’re looking for people with a willingness to learn and a commitment to the welfare of our animals.â€
Many of GLAZA’s docents and volunteers have provided over 40 years and more of service. In 2010, GLAZA docents alone contributed more than 80,000 hours to the Zoo.
DOCENT PROGRAM
GLAZA offers a comprehensive program for adult docents, who serve as volunteer teachers, sharing their knowledge of the Zoo and its flora and fauna with adults and children through touring, use of biofact carts, and numerous educational programs and classes. Docents complete a 23-week training program offered at the Zoo each fall in conjunction with UCLA Extension. Classes begin Saturday, October 1, 2011, or Tuesday, October 4, 2011, from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
The weekly six-hour class focuses on taxonomy of both the plants and animals at the Zoo as well as ecology and conservation. Docents’ duties are as varied as those performing them, and individual opportunities are discussed and developed throughout the training course. Docents must be 18 years or older when applying and be able to commit 100 hours per year for a minimum of two years.
Applications are accepted through late September and are available at www.lazoo.org in the “Volunteers” section.
The Los Angeles Zoo is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. Free parking is available.
Full descriptions of volunteer and docent opportunities and requirements are available at www.lazoo.org in the “Volunteers” section, and general information is available by calling (323) 644-4703 or emailing volunteers@lazoo.org.
