Party for the Planet

Join us as we Spring Into Action for Earth Day.

In honor of Earth Day, we are hosting Party for the Planet:  Spring into Action! We will be celebrating April 6, 2024 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. right here at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo.

This event is perfect for the whole family. We welcome you and your kids to explore the zoo and participate in fun activities such as games, crafts, training demonstrations, keeper talks, animal encounters, and more! Learn to build like a beach mouse, save a sea turtle, make a backyard habitat, and spring into action to save species. Learn more below about participating in Community Reuse and Recycle Day for discounted Party for the Planet admission. 

Don’t miss out on the wildest party of the year!

Presentation Schedule

Quiet hour is from 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. No music or presentations on microphones. Sensory bags are available for checkout at the ticket window. 

• 10:00 a.m. - Yellow-Crowned Amazon Training Demo
• 10:30 a.m. - Guam rail Keeper Talk
• 11:00 a.m. - Gibbon Training Demo
• 11:30 a.m. - Otter Training Demo
• 12:00 p.m. - Gopher tortoise Keeper Talk
• 1:00 p.m. - The Santa Fe River Turtle Project: Two Decades of Adventure and Discovery (Jerry Johnston)
• 2:00 p.m. - Lemur Keeper Talk
• 2:30 p.m. - Butterball (turkey vulture) Training Demo *Butterball roams the entire zoo and may decide not to make an appearance*

Food Trucks

• Mayflower Food Truck
• Kona Ice

Participating Organizations 

• Community Weatherization Coalition 
• Alachua County Environmental Protection Department 
• The Florida Springs Institute 
• Alachua Conservation Trust
• Gainesville Regional Utilities - Energy & Business Services
• Alachua Audubon
• FDACS DPI - Air Potato Biological Control Program
• Santa Fe River Turtle Project
• Visit Gainesville, Alachua County
• Paynes Prairie Chapter, Florida Native Plant Society
• Cultural Arts Coalition - Science Bus
• Alachua County Library System - Bookmobile 

Spring into action with Community Reuse and Recycle Day! 

Date:

April 6, 2024
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Quiet hour is from 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. No music or presentations on microphone. Sensory bags are available for checkout at the ticket window. 

Admission:

Regular admission applies. Tickets are only available at the gate the day of event. All credit cards, cash, Apple/Samsung Pay, and checks are accepted.

$10 - adults
$6 - children ages 4-12, Seniors (60+), Active Military and Veterans, Teachers, Police, Firefighters, First Responders, EMT/EMS, Healthcare Workers (all with valid ID), UF students and staff with current Gator1 ID
$3 - Electronics Benefits Transfer recipients
(up to 4 total tickets with card, any combination of adults/children)
Free - Children (3 and under), SF Students, Staff, and Retirees (with current SFID), and Zoo Members

Where:

Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
3000 NW 83rd St.
Gainesville, FL 32606

Sponsors:

This event is funded in part by Visit Gainesville, Alachua County.