In May of 2018 I volunteered at Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute (CIMWI) for 11 days. CIMWI is a part of the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program…
Surveying AIS on Minnesota’s Lakes!
I have completed my training and am officially an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Detector for the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC)! So now what? Well, now I must…
Como Zoo Releases One of North America’s Most Critically Endangered Amphibians Back into the Wild
A Toad’ally Awesome Thing Is Happening At Como Zoo! On Monday June 17th, as part of Como Zoo’s behind-the-scenes species preservation and conservation efforts, 3,288 Wyoming Toad tadpoles were…
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory Delivers Missing Information Critical to Sustaining Biodiversity
Despite volumes of data currently available on mankind, it is surprising how little we know about other species. A paper published this week in the journal Proceedings of the National…
AIS: From Novice to Knowledgeable!
For the last month, I have been working to transform from a nervous person who doesn’t know anything about identifying fish and plants to a competent volunteer for the Minnesota…
So You Want To Do Some Conservation?
I have been working at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in different education roles since 2017. Thanks to Como Friends support of my Conservation Champions project, I am starting a new…
Come Visit Our Newest Residents!
Two recently orphaned puma (also known as mountain lion and cougar) cubs from different locations in Northern California are now playing, bonding, and calling Como Zoo home. Visitors can now…
Como Harbor on the Horizon
Como Harbor, a $20.38 million reinvention of Como Zoo’s seals and sea lions habitat, is coming into view. Since the official groundbreaking last spring, the heart of Como’s campus has…
Kid Conservation Champs
By saving energy at home you can protect and preserve the animals and plants you love in their natural habitats. Xcel Energy has a bold vision for the future. They’re…
Meet Penelope!
Thank you to the thousands who came to Como over MEA weekend and voted! Penelope received 43% of the vote! Penelope born Tuesday morning, October 2, is the 8th calf…
Monitoring Polar Bear Movement
September of 2010 was my first trip to Churchill, the polar bear capital of the world. I was invited as part of Polar Bear International’s keeper leadership camp, now called…
Zookeeper Melanie’s Work with Project Puffin
Project Puffin, June 7-23 2018, Matinicus Rock, ME This summer, I was fortunate to participate in Project Puffin through the National Audubon Society. Project Puffin began in 1973, working for…
Rescuing Marine Mammals in California
April 26 This April and May, Zookeepers Becky and Julie will be heading to Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute (CIMWI), in Santa Barbara, California, to help rescue and rehabilitate sick,…
Rehabbing Penguins in South Africa
As a Conservation Champion, I spent two weeks in Cape Town, South Africa with the South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB). African penguins are endangered and…
Releasing Orangutans in Borneo
Earlier this month, I took part in the Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation’s “Year of Freedom” campaign as a 2017 Como Conservation Champion grant awardee. BOS Foundation currently cares for…
