Member Appreciation Month Highlights
- Week One: June 1-7
Daily, exclusive Meet the Keeper Chat sponsored by CenterPoint Energy Foundation with an ambassador animal at 10:00 a.m.; plus Member Mornings at 8:00 a.m. from June 5-7 - Week Two: June 8-14
FREE access to TXU Energy presents Mythical Realms. - Week Three: June 15-21
Surprise and delight. Subscribe to our channels and newsletters to learn about our Week 3 surprise for members. - Week Four: June 22-30
FREE unlimited rides on our Wildlife Carousel.
For more information about these benefits, see the FAQ below.
Recycle Your Small Electronics
During Member Appreciation Month, we’re hosting a recycling drive where you can drop off your old or unused small electronic devices at the Member Service window at the Zoo’s main entrance.
Recycle and Win at Houston Zoo
You’ll automatically be entered into a raffle for a Gorilla Encounter and the two members who recycle the most will be gifted animal art painted by one of our gorillas. 1 entry counts per device; multiple devices are welcome.
This simple action helps reduce demand for minerals mined from gorilla habitat and plays a direct role in safeguarding gorillas in the wild. See what you can donate here.
Become a Member and Save
Don’t miss out on the fun during Member Appreciation Month! Visit the Zoo anytime and skip the reservations! As a member, you’ll enjoy FREE admission for 12 months while helping support animals here at the Zoo and in the wild. Your membership pays for itself in as few as two visits per year!
Share Your Recent Memories
Members, we want to hear from you! Starting in June, participate in our social media giveaway by sharing a recent Zoo memory on Facebook or Instagram. Four lucky winners in June will win a Houston Zoo prize pack for sharing their story and be featured on our Fan Friday social media posts. Prize packs may include a reusable tote bag, giraffe feeding tickets, and more.
Member Spotlight: Meet our Houston Zoo Members
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The Park Family Houston Zoo Members since 2011
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![Sylvia Mayer]()
Sylvia MayerHouston Zoo Member since 1994
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Lauren Beamon Houston Zoo Flock donor since 2015
Min and Heidi Park joined the Houston Zoo in 2011 when Ethan was just one year old — drawn in by a family membership and Heidi’s teacher discount. What began as weekend strolls through the Zoo grew into something far greater. Ethan fell in love with the animals, connected with Zoo educators, joined Zoo Crew, and became a member of the Teen Leadership Council. In 8th grade, he championed his school’s entry into the Houston Zoo’s Saving Wildlife School Partnerships program. This April, he was recognized on Earth Day as one of 10 national winners of the Disney Conservation Fund Award for his Seven Lakes High School Prairie Restoration Project — an effort to revive the Katy Prairie for future generations.
“It is a place that has helped Ethan find his ‘Why’ in life at such a young age and continually gives him opportunities to explore his passion.”
— Min Park, Ethan’s father
The Houston Zoo didn’t just give Ethan a place to visit, it opened doors to new possibilities. We are celebrating Ethan and the entire Park family this Member Appreciation Month for showing the world what a Zoo membership can truly become.
Sylvia was born in Houston, and some of her earliest childhood memories are of the Houston Zoo. She became a member as a young adult and has never really stopped. She has brought her children to the same lion water fountain she drank from as a girl, attended events like Feast with the Beasts, volunteered at the Zoo, and built a family tradition around Member Mornings. Along the way, she developed deep connections to our keepers and animals such as Berani the Malayan tiger; animals in the Galápagos Islands habitat, which reminds her oldest son of the work that he has done as a scientist; Yzma the llama; and many more.
“Do you love animals? Do you enjoy learning? Are you passionate about conservation? Is being outside in nature important to you? Do you value family time? If you answer yes to any of these questions, then the Houston Zoo is the place for you.”
— Sylvia Mayer
For Sylvia, the Houston Zoo has never been just a destination but a place she considers home. We celebrate her this Member Appreciation Month for a lifetime of loyalty, love, and showing up for the animals and the community she believes in.
A native Houstonian, Lauren grew up visiting the Houston Zoo with family and on school trips. As an adult, it was Flock, the Houston Zoo’s donor club for young professionals and philanthropists, that brought her back. She became a member around 2015, then a Flock Patron in 2021, and this year joined the Flock Committee, moving from participant to someone who actively shapes the experience for others. Along the way, she brought her daughter to the Zoo for the very first time at just four months old, turning a personal rediscovery into a family tradition. The penguin habitat opening, Zoo Lights Donor Night, easy Saturday mornings with the lions — the Houston Zoo has become a regular place of wonder for her family.
“It means connection, discovery, and community. It’s where I can become a kid again — while learning something new. Every visit provides a new experience! And the Houston Zoo’s commitment to animals in the wild is unmatched. You get to have a great experience while contributing to conservation efforts. ”
— Lauren Beamon
Lauren didn’t just return to the Houston Zoo, she became part of what makes it a place where everyone belongs. We are celebrating her this Member Appreciation Month for her commitment to community, conservation, and the next generation of zoo lovers.
