The Utica Zoo Is Holding A Docent Training Class

If you love animals and the Utica Zoo, share that love all while teaching others about the Zoo and their animals.

Chances are you've seen or met a Docent at the zoo before. They're the ones who walk around with smaller animals and teach everyone about them and the rest of the Zoo.

A zoo docent is a volunteer, teacher, or guide who is dedicated to educating the public about the environment, wildlife, conservation, and the Utica Zoo.

Imagine having an inside connection to the Utica Zoo where you get access to the animals and events that most never even dream of.

The Utica Zoo is holding Docent classes on Thursday, November 29, and Friday, November 30, from 4 p.m. to 7 both days.

Here's what a Utica Zoo docent does:

• Assists with education classes both on and off zoo grounds
• Promotes the zoo’s mission by acting as a zoo ambassador and educating the visiting public on important conservation topics through the use of bio-facts, live animals, and other educational tools
• Leads guided educational tours
• Helps during special events
• Participates in animal enrichment activities, and much more!

Prospective Docents must be 18 years old and be at both days of the training course.

Zoo officials also recommend you have at least a two-year college degree, because training course will cover very important information that all docents are required to know, and maintain knowledge of.

Pre registration is required for the classes and the fee for the course is $25 for non-members and $20 for members.

This fee covers any/all materials that will be handed out during or after the course is completed, a docent t-shirt, and a name badge.

The fee also covers your first year of ‘docent dues’ (docents are asked to pay an annual fee of $10 to the Docent Organization that may be used for multiple things, such as: enrichment items, docent trips, picnics, etc.).

You can pre-register by contacting Nicolette Hajdasz at volunteer@uticazoo.org or 315-738-0472 Ext. 34.

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