Biodiversity comes alive

Spend the morning exploring the African rainforest and the afternoon viewing wildlife from South America. Visit reptiles and amphibians found right here in our backyards of Georgia, as well as those from around the globe. Compare and contrast bird species from the largest kori bustard to the noisy crested screamer. And while you’re taking a trip around the world, learn more about Zoo Atlanta’s commitment to wildlife and wild places through our conservation and research initiatives. Whether you bring your class for a Self-Guided Field Trip or an educator-led program, you will be immersed in the diversity of species and the important roles they play in their ecosystems.

Zoo Atlanta is small in size at just over 40 acres, but big in experiences. With over 1,000 individual animals representing nearly 250 different species in our care, Zoo Atlanta is a great place to learn and explore the diversity of wildlife without having to hop on a plane or leave the city. With the opening of the all-new African Savanna later this summer, students have the opportunity to observe elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostriches and more in a naturalistic setting while learning how we are all connected, with ways they can make a difference for species around the world.

To gain a deeper connection to Zoo Atlanta’s living resources, sign-up for an educator-led Zoo Challenge program or Wild Walk. Through these programs, students have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of real-life challenges facing wildlife and what Zoo Atlanta is doing to help. They will walk away with a deeper appreciation for the species here at Zoo Atlanta as ambassadors for their wild counterparts. Students will be asked to think like researchers and will be inspired to take conservation action.

Zoo Challenge programs are designed for students grades Pre-K through 12 and can enhance your field trip to the Zoo through inquiry-based explorations that focus on creating connections for your students while supporting the curriculum of your classroom and the Georgia Standards of Excellence in Science. Whether you’re looking to further explore the rainforest, or you want to learn more about the importance of pollinators on our planet, you can choose the program that best fits your curriculum, your students and your context!

Take a walk on the wild side with Wild Walks as Zoo educators lead you on a guided tour through the Zoo to discover amazing animals from around the world. During these exclusive tours, the guides will share fun facts and interesting stories for an inside scoop on what it’s like to care for these creatures. In addition, walkers will learn about Zoo Atlanta’s conservation and research initiatives and find out how they can speak for the wild. All tours can be tailored to cover grade-specific standards with advance notice. For an additional charge, upgrade your older explorers (3^rd grade and up) and extend your tour to take a look behind the scenes at the Animal Nutrition Kitchen or the Veterinary Clinic.

In addition to a Zoo Challenge program or Wild Walk, or if you decide to tour on your own, make sure to check back and visit the Teacher Resources page for a number of activities and lessons that will complement and enhance your visit.

As the 2018-2019 school year comes to a close, we thank you for a great year and look forward to inviting you and your students back for an exciting 2019-2020 school year! Feel free to reach out this summer with any questions and to book your programs for the next year! To learn more visit https://zooatlanta.org/learn/schools-groups/.