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Lectures

Join us for our Fall 2023 Lecture Series as we premier an exciting array of our own experts sharing their strategies for creating enriching and educational opportunities designed to connect children and families to conservation issues, wildlife, and green spaces at Brookfield Zoo and your own backyard. The best part: you can watch them first from the comfort of your own home! We hope you can join us for the premier of these recorded, virtual learning opportunities where we will hear from Brookfield Zoo’s own animal, conservation, and community engagement experts. You won’t want to miss your chance to be the first to learn from our extraordinary speakers so, sign up today!

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September 28, 2023 at 7 p.m.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE PENGUIN KIND: BALANCING ENTERTAINMENT, EDUCATION, AND ANIMAL WELFARE

Speaker: Emily Venckus, Lead Animal Care Specialist

This lecture will outline how and why Brookfield Zoo's popular guest Penguin Encounter was conceived, developed and implemented. It will detail how an educational, yet entertaining guest experience was balanced with exceptional animal care and welfare. 

ABOUT Emily

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October 11, 2023 at 7 p.m.

KING CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP ACADEMY: CELEBRATING URBAN GREEN SPACES

Speakers: Graig Mason, Sr. Manager of King Conservation Leadership Academy and Shelly Hope, Community Engagement Coordinator

Chicago's motto is "Urbs in Horto," which translates to "City in a Garden." This is a nod to the historical commitment of the city and surrounding Cook County to natural green spaces. In delivering the mission of the Chicago Zoological Society, the community engagement team of the King Conservation Leadership Academy can guide the explorations of community gardens, parks, preserves, and other natural spaces to "inspire conservation leadership by connecting people to wildlife and nature." Over the course of this session, our team will highlight several unique sites from in and around Chicago that host some of our programs and showcase the rich diversity of healthy green spaces ready for you to discover.

aBOUT Graig & Shelly

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November 8, 2023 at 7 p.m.

CONNECTING WITH NATURE ON OUR TERMS: KING CONSERVATION SCIENCE SCHOLARS

Speaker: Chris Conner, Manager of King Conservation Science Scholars

The King Conservation Science Scholars is Chicago Zoological Society’s premier teen engagement program and an innovative approach to leadership development, community advocacy, and conservation. With a focus on supporting the next generation of conservation-minded, community-driven leaders, the program uses environmental literacy to boast a learning ecosystem like no other. This presentation will share a glimpse into the program’s infrastructure which uniquely integrates the learning strategies, culturally relevant teaching, place-based and participatory education. It will also highlight some of the unique features that makes the King Conservation Science Scholars journey one of the most prominent and celebrated experiences among teens from the Chicagoland area and beyond.

About Chris

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More details coming soon!

More details coming soon!

aBOUT this speaker

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Lectures

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE PENGUIN KIND: BALANCING ENTERTAINMENT, EDUCATION, AND ANIMAL WELFARE

KING CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP ACADEMY: CELEBRATING URBAN GREEN SPACES

CONNECTING WITH NATURE ON OUR TERMS: KING CONSERVATION SCIENCE SCHOLARS

Directions

North Gate Main Entrance

South Gate Main Entrance

Chicago Zoological Society