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Lecture - Cristina Mittermeir Wildlife Photographer

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 23:30:00 GMT

Lecture - Cristina Mittermeir Wildlife Photographer
Start Date: 25-Mar-10 6:30 PM
End Time: 25-Mar-10 8:15 PM
Event Details:

March 25, 2010
Cristina Mittermeier Wildlife Photographer

Executive Director International League of Conservation Photographers
Brown Education Center
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for refreshments
Event begins at 7:00 p.m

From the popular to the scientific, Cristina's work has appeared in major magazines around the world including Nature's Best, Latina, Elan, National Geographic, National Geographic Explorer, Organic Connections and American Photo in the United States, Rumbos, Escala and Sale la Foto, in Mexico, Explorador and Terra in Brazil, Man and Biosphere in China, among others.

As a photographer and writer since 1996, Cristina has co-edited 9 books, including a series published with Conservation International and Cemex. Megadiversity: Earth's Wealthiest Countries for Biodiversity (1996), Hotspots: Earth's biologically richest and most endangered ecoregions (1998), Wilderness Areas: Earth's Last Wild Places (2002), Wildlife Spectacles (2003), Hotspots Revisited (2005), and Transboundary Conservation: A New Vision for Protected Areas (2005), and Pantanal: South America’s Wetland Jewel (2005). Her latest book project, The Wealth of Nature will be available for pre-order online before the event.

Purchase your ticket for this event today!

Limited Time Only - Purchase Cristina Mittermeir's Book - The Wealth of Nature

Limited pre-sale of The Wealth of Nature now available online for pickup at the March 25th Lecture Event.

The Wealth of Nature, produced by The International League of Conservation Photographers with partners Conservation International (CI), IUCN, The WILD Foundation and CEMEX. CI’s President and legendary conservationist, Dr. Russell A. Mittermeier, and ILCP’s founder and Executive Director, Cristina Mittermeier, examines ideas on how to integrate the real value of important services – fertile soil, fresh water, breathable air, and a moderate climate – into traditional economic systems to benefit all of Nature, including humans.

Limited quantities available. Book signing by Cristina Mittermeier the evening of March 25th.

Call of the Wild Speaker Series is generously sponsored by:

Tapeats Fund

Charles T Bauer Foundation

Food Provided by:

Pongos Helping Pongos

Sat, 27 Mar 2010 23:00:00 GMT

Pongos Helping Pongos
Start Date: 27-Mar-10 6:00 PM
End Time: 27-Mar-10 8:00 PM
Location: G Gallery in the Heights, Houston, Texas
Event Details:

Pongos Helping Pongos:
Paintings by Orangutans, for Orangutans

Pongos Helping Pongos Art Auction and event
March 27, 2010 G Gallery in the Heights

6:00-8:00 p.m.

301 East 11th Street, Houston, Texas

The Houston Zoo's 4th Pongos Helping Pongos Art Event will be held at the G Gallery beginning at 6pm on March 27th. This very special evening will feature over 40 individual paintings done by our orangutans, elephants, siamangs, babirusa and clouded leopards. Each painting will be professionally framed thanks to our partners at YolArt Fine Arts and accompanied by conservation information and an animal artist biography. The paintings will be displayed at G Gallery in the Heights for a single night in a fine arts setting, including a wine and cheese reception and photographic portraits of the featured artists (but taken by humans). Professional photographs of wild orangutans and Bornean elephants will also be available for sale thanks to Houston photographer Paul Swen. The auction event concludes at 8:00 p.m.

Browse through these samples of some amazing orangutan artwork!

All the paintings, photographs and portraits will be sold by silent auction which will end at 8pm with all the proceeds donated to the preservation of orangutans in their natural habitats.

The benefits of this program are many. It provides Zoo animals an outlet to express their intelligence, personalities, and abilities. It allows them to fulfill their mission as ambassadors for their species. It generates precious funds that support conservation actions on the ground and behavioral enrichment initiatives at the Zoo. At the same time, this program engages the local community, creating a deeper appreciation for the lives of all animals and inspiring a greater concern for their well-being. And all of this is achieved through the exhibition and sale of the animals’ own art, an annual event that we call Pongos Helping Pongos. Pongo is the scientific name for orangutans, so this translates as Orangutans Helping Orangutans.

Meet Cheyenne - one of the Houston Zoo's orangutan artists!

-and-

Meet some "human" artists who support Pongos Helping Pongos!

Since 2004, Pongos Helping Pongos has raised over $100,000 for the Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Project and Elephant Conservation Program in Sukau, Sabah, Malaysia and $20,000 in support of field conservation efforts at Indonesia’s Gunung Palung National Park. Both projects are located on the island of Borneo and represent some of the last remaining habitats for wild orangutans. In addition, a portion of the annual art sales are applied toward orangutan behavioral enrichment projects at the Houston Zoo. The Houston Zoo is proud to be a partner of the Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Program, supporting research, education, and awareness programs for orangutans, elephants, and habitat protection in the region.

We look forward to hosting the best Pongos Helping Pongos event we have ever held so call your friends and hold a space on your calendar for a truly memorable evening that supports our artistic animals and the field conservation efforts focused on their wild counterparts.

For more information or to help support this event please contact conservation@houstonzoo.org

Become a fan of Pongos Helping Pongos on Facebook!

Special Thanks to Pongos Helping Pongos Sponsors

G Gallery in the Heights

301 East 11th Street

Houston, Texas

Elephant Baby Shower

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 05:30:00 GMT

Elephant Baby Shower
Start Date: 28-Mar-10 0:30 AM
End Time: 28-Mar-10 2:30 PM
Location: McNair Elephant Habitat, Houston, Texas 77030
Event Details:

It's a Baby Shower for Shanti, the Elephant!

McNair Asian Elephant Habitat

Sunday, March 28

12:30pm - 2:30pm

Shanti, our 19-year-old female Asian elephant, is due to give birth this spring.

We'd like you to come and celebrate her BIG arrival with us on Sunday, March 28 from 12:30pm to 2:30pm at the McNair Asian Elephant Habitat.

Shanti will need a lot of support and care for her new baby, and the Elephant Team has provided a wish list of items that would help.

We've got a TON-of-FUN!

Make sure you come early because you don't want to miss this!!

Beginning at 12:30pm:

Educational BioFacts - Get the facts about elephants including their eating habits, family life, and their body structure.

Congratulations Card - Wish Shanti and the Elephant Family your well wishes for their new baby. Your affections weigh heavy on their hearts!

Guessing Game - Can you guess the circumference of Shanti's belly? How many inches do you think she is? If you guess it correctly, you could get a special kiss from the elephants!

Elephant Ears - Have you ever wanted to have ears like an Asian Elephant? Well, now is your chance! Make a pair of elephant ears to take home. Practice listening like the baby elephant will to its mom, Shanti.

Beginning at 1:30pm:

Asian Elephant Meet the Keeper Talk - Learn all about Shanti and the other elephants from the Keepers that care for them every day. This Meet the Keeper Talk is special because they will talk about all of the amazing things that Shanti and her family are experiencing.

Shanti's cake and gifts - What's a party without cake and gifts?! Shanti and her family will have a special cake and open gifts. And, of course, we've got some for you too!

For additional information or questions about donations and activities,
please contact Maya Ford, Marketing Promotions Manager at 713.533.6717.

See you there!

If you haven't heard, the Houston Zoo is expecting 2 elephant calves this year! Later this year, we’ll begin to renovate and enlarge our current Asian elephant exhibit – just in time for when the new elephant babies start to grow up!

As a non-profit, we rely on the ongoing support of the Houston community to make these major upgrades possible. In everything we do, we strive to create the most natural and comfortable environment for our animals, so that Houston Zoo guests can get the most out of their visit and be inspired to protect wildlife themselves.

You can make a difference today.

Consider making a donation to the care, feeding, and housing of the new baby elephants and all of the animals that call the Houston Zoo home.

McNair Elephant Habitat

1513 Cambridge

Houston, Texas 77030

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
Start Date: 3-Apr-10 9:00 AM
End Time: 3-Apr-10 10:30 AM
Location: Karamu Outpost, Houston, Texas 77030
Event Details:

You can see many animals here at the Zoo, but this is the only time you can see a bunny quite like this! Join us for this year’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, where kids can meet the Bunny himself! You’ll also enjoy a hot breakfast buffet, and get up close and personal with some other furry (but much smaller!) animals, courtesy of our Zoo Keepers.

Saturday, April 3, 2010
9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Reservations Required

Want more information? Read our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Karamu Outpost

1513 Cambridge

Houston, Texas 77030

Zoobilee

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 22:00:00 GMT

Zoobilee
Start Date: 8-Apr-10 5:00 PM
End Time: 8-Apr-10 8:00 PM
Event Details:

Come on over and join us at the Zoo for a wildlife adventure just for members! It's a family celebration with numerous keeper chats, a children's DJ and much more.

Children are invited to embark on a Zoo-style global trek to meet some of our remarkable residents and get a special passport stamped from exotic lands. A small snack will be provided for each member. Plus, you will receive a 20% discount on food purchased from Zoo concessions and on gift shop purchases.

Zoobilee

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 22:00:00 GMT

Zoobilee
Start Date: 9-Apr-10 5:00 PM
End Time: 9-Apr-10 8:00 PM
Event Details:

Come on over and join us at the Zoo for a wildlife adventure just for members! It's a family celebration with numerous keeper chats, a children's DJ and much more.

Breakfast with the Animals - Tigers

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Breakfast with the Animals - Tigers
Start Date: 10-Apr-10 8:00 AM
End Time: 10-Apr-10 9:00 AM
Location: Tigers Open Area, Houston, TX 77030
Event Details:

Breakfast Is Going Wild!

SOLD OUT
A very special experience exclusively for Zoo members only.
April 10, 2010

It will be a wild morning when you start your day with the Tigers. Pounce on over and you will have the opportunity to watch the feeding habits and enrichment activities of our Tigers and enjoy breakfast too.

Registration will begin the morning of March 12, 2010.

These events fill up fast, so don’t miss out on an extra special event where you will become more familiar with our carnivores and the enrichment that is utilized to enhance their lives.

This unique experience is designed to provide you with interesting educational messages while stimulating healthy natural-like behaviors in our animal ambassadors.

Juice and Buffet Breakfast will be served promptly at 7:30.

Space is limited to the first 50 people. Registration and prepayment are required.

The Houston Zoo reserves the right to cancel any Breakfast. In the event that such a cancellation occurs, we will notify you by email of the cancellation and of the reschedule date.

Cost is: $60 per person. There are no discounts for children. The registration fee is not refundable.

Guests should arrive at 7:15 a.m. for check in at the front entry of the Zoo.

Click Here to Register

Tigers Open Area

1513 Cambridge Street (North MacGregor)

Houston, TX 77030

Member Morning - Aquarium

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 14:15:00 GMT

Member Morning - Aquarium
Start Date: 11-Apr-10 9:15 AM
End Time: 11-Apr-10 10:00 AM
Location: Kipp Aquarium, Houston, TX 77030
Event Details:

Member Mornings offer you a chance to hear from one of our Zoo’s experts and gain professional insight about a select animal resident or area of the Houston Zoo.

Learn from the best in the field about what it really takes to care for the diverse animals that call the Zoo home. Plus, you can enjoy the Zoo before it gets crowded!

You will be greeted inside the Zoo’s main entrance in Hermann Park and escorted to exhibit area.

Programs begin promptly at 9:15 a.m. Approximate program length is 45 minutes.

Remember, "It's a New Zoo everyday!"...see you there!

Kipp Aquarium

1513 Cambridge Street (North MacGregor)

Houston, TX 77030

22nd Zoo Ball - A Way to Africa

Sat, 01 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

22nd Zoo Ball - A Way to Africa
Start Date: 30-Apr-10 7:00 PM
End Time: 30-Apr-10 11:45 PM
Event Details:

Zoo Friends of Houston’s
22nd Zoo Ball

A Way To Africa

Friday, April 30, 2010

Honoring
Anne and Charles Duncan
Cristina Buaas and Sheila Hulme, Chairs

Come, travel with us to Africa! Pack your binoculars and grab your passport! Zoo Friends of Houston, Inc. is pleased to inform you that we have discovered A Way To Africa - coming soon to the Houston Zoo! We are excited to announce that the proceeds from Zoo Ball 2010, A Way To Africa, will benefit the much anticipated African Forest exhibit at the Houston Zoo. We invite you to be a part of the Houston Zoo’s history by joining us in supporting the ongoing Phase One capital needs of the African Forest by being an underwriter for Zoo Ball 2010, A Way To Africa.

Click here for Underwriting and Naming Opportunities.

Purpose and Goals of Zoo Friends of Houston, Inc.

Zoo Friends of Houston, Inc. is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to providing broad support to the Houston Zoo. Chartered in 1969, operating with no paid staff, Zoo Friend’s fund-raising success depends entirely on members’ commitment and dedication. Since its inception in 1969, Zoo Friends has raised over $24 million for the creation of specific projects and exhibits, the purchase of zoo animals, support of the veterinary hospital, building renovations and educational efforts.

Zoo Friends produces two major fund-raising events – Zoo Ball and Family Party, held biennially. In 2003, Zoo Friends entered a new phase in its support of the Zoo. Recognizing that privatization caused the zoo to face new challenges, Zoo Friends made the strategic decision to continue to support the Zoo’s mission by raising unrestricted funds.

Zoo Friends members take great pride in contributing to the development of one of Houston’s most beloved and popular assets.

Member Morning - Howler Monkeys

Sat, 08 May 2010 14:15:00 GMT

Member Morning - Howler Monkeys
Start Date: 8-May-10 9:15 AM
End Time: 8-May-10 10:00 AM
Location: Primates - Howler Monkeys, Houston, TX 77030
Event Details:

Primates - Howler Monkeys

1513 Cambridge Street (North MacGregor)

Houston, TX 77030