For adult wildlife enthusiasts our in-depth adult classes provide thought-provoking learning along with a good time. From our behind the scenes tours to garden "how to" programs, come discover the wealth of knowledge and experiences that await you.
New! Behind the Scenes Experiences available now Learn more>.
Who can participate?
- Sorry no under 15 will be admitted to Backstage Pass behind the scenes tours (Backstage Pass Jr. programs available for 12-14 year olds Learn more>.)
- Garden Programs and Lectures are open to all ages.
- Many behind-the-scenes areas are not ADA accessible. Please contact us to discuss accessibility.
- Most meet in the Harold C. Schott Education Center. Confirmation materials will be received once you have registered.
Barrows Conservation Lecture Series
Cost per lecture: Members: $12 / Non-Members: $14
Cost for entire 5 lecture series: Members: $55 / Non-Members: 65
| topic | description | Dates & times |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Colleen Begg |
Meeting Face To Face To See Eye To Eye: Promoting Coexistence Between Lions And People In Niassa Reserve, Mozambique- Colleen Begg and her husband, Keith, have worked on researching and conserving carnivores in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Mozambique. In 2003, they founded the Niassa Lion Project in the remote wilderness of the Niassa Reserve in Mozambique. Through film, photography, research, and field conservation, they are working to secure the large carnivores in their remote region to conserve one of the Earth's "Last Of The Wild" places. |
March 27: 7-9pm |
| John Kamanga |
Coexistence, Collaboration, and Culture: the story of the Maasai of the South Rift Valley- John Kamanga is a Maasai elder and chairman of the Olkiramation Group ranch in the South Rift Valley of Kenya. He also coordinates conservation projects for the Kenyan government and other international organizations. His most remarkable work is in his community, where humans still coexist with wildlife amid powerful social and environmental pressures. He is Jonah Western's African Conservation Centre partner in the region, where the Cincinnati Zoo has been involved for a decade. |
April 11: 7-9pm |
| Dr. William Conway |
Zoos And Wildlife Conservation: A Defining Moment?- Dr. William Conway is the all-time great lion of the zoo industry, as well as a renowned thought leader on wildlife conservation. He served as Director of the Bronx Zoo for 43 years, where he led the transformation into modern zoo naturalistic exhibitry 50 years ago, and since has built the Wildlife Conservation Society into one of the world's leading conservation organizations. Dr. Conway will discuss the challenges of keeping wildlife in an ever more crowded world of people. |
April 17: 7-9pm |
| Dr. Olivia Judson |
The Planet Makers- Olivia Judson is an evolutionary biologist and writer based at Imperial College London. A graduate of Stanford and Oxford, she is the author of Dr. Tatiana's Sex Advice to All Creation: The Definitive Guide to the Evolutionary Biology of Sex, which has been translated into more than 15 languages and was also made into a TV show. She is presently working on a second book. |
May 1: 7-9pm |
| Dr. Steven C. Amstrup |
Saving Polar Bears: The Problem and the Cure- Steven C. Amstrup is Chief Scientist and Vice President of Conservation Science for Polar Bears International. Dr. Amstrup joined Polar Bears International after 30 years leading Polar Bear Research at the U.S. Geological Survey in Alaska. He will describe polar bear ecology, emphasizing their reliance on sea ice for capturing prey, and discuss global warming basics posing a threat to polar bears, before presenting solutions to this problem. |
May 15: 7-9pm |
Wild Side of Love
Join us at the Zoo for a sizzling night of insight into the lengths to which some species go to procreate.
| topic | description | Dates & times | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE WILD SIDE OF LOVE |  Back by popular demand! To what extreme did you go to get your mate...or are you still in the process? Either way, it is nothing compared to the courtship extremes found in the natural world! Join us at the Zoo for a sizzling night of insight into the lengths to which some species go to procreate. This wild night of love will include champagne, chocolate and strawberries. |
February 16: 7-9pm |
Members: $35/ Couple Non-Members $40/ Couple |
Backstage Pass
Are you looking for a more intimate, once-in-a-lifetime experience at the Zoo? Look no further than the Backstage Pass Programs!
Cost: Adult Members: $45 / Adult Non-Members: $60
| topic | description | Dates & times |
|---|---|---|
| WHAT'S UP, DOC? |
How do you x-ray an aardvark? Who gives the Zoo babies get their first vaccines? Find out the answers to these questions and more when you tour the Zoo’s state-of-the-art vet hospital! With a behind the scenes tour, you’ll learn about the equipment and procedures involved in keeping the Zoo animals healthy. |
November 3 or February 9: 10-11 am |
VIP Backstage Pass
Did you know that the Zoo has an off-grounds breeding facility to house animals that are between exhibits or need privacy in order to successfully breed? You can see it.
Cost: Adult Members: $60 / Adult Non-Members: $75
| topic | description | Dates & times |
|---|---|---|
| THE HIDDEN ZOO |
Back by popular demand! Did you know that the Zoo has an off-grounds breeding facility to house animals that are between exhibits or need privacy in order to successfully breed? The Mast Farm is just that place! Don’t forget your camera, because during this program, you will get a behind-the-scenes look at rare animals like the Zoo’s cheetahs and rare birds that call the farm home. You will also get the inside scoop on when there will be more baby cheetahs on the way! |
May 11: 8-9:30 am |
Digital Photography for Beginners
The Zoo is a great place to learn to be a shutterbug! During this 4 part series, Brian Jorg, Zoo Horticulturist and professional photographer, will walk you through the fundamentals of SLR digital photography and how to apply this new knowledge to photographing wildlife and landscapes.
All classes meet on either Tuesdays from 5-7 pm or Saturdays from 8-10 am. Please register for either the Tuesday series or Saturday series.
Dates: Tuesday Series- January 22, February 19, March 26, April 30: 5-7 pm
Saturday Series-January 12, February 23, March 30, April 13: 8-10 am
Cost per Class: Members: $65 / Non-Members: $75
Cost for Series: Members: $200 / Non-Members: $220
| topic | description | Dates & times |
|---|---|---|
| INTRO TO DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY |
This class, geared toward beginner photographers who want to get more out of their camera, will cover SLR camera basics, exposure, aperture, shutter speed, close-up, and landscape techniques. This classroom instruction will help make you a better photographer. Attendees are encouraged to bring their cameras to class. |
January 22: 5-7pm January 12: 8am-10am |
| TRAVEL AND LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY |
Join us for a two hour photography class that will teach you how to get the most out of your travel photography. Whether you plan to go to the Great Smoky Mountains for a family vacation or the Masai Mara for a grand safari, we will show you how to capture the trip in pictures. From traveling with gear to how to shoot culture, wildlife and landscapes, this class is for you. |
February 19: 5-7pm February 23: 8am-10am |
| PHOTO SAFARI- SPRING BLOOMS |
This workshop will blend technical expertise with knowledge of the Zoo’s overwhelming flower displays. We will ‘focus’ on landscape and macro photography opportunities with our botanical collection. What better place to learn all the tricks to take better outdoor images than a botanical garden? Attendees should bring their camera and tripod if they have one. |
March 26: 5-7pm March 30: 8-10am |
| PHOTO SAFARI- WILDLIFE |
This workshop will blend technical expertise with knowledge of the Zoo’s wildlife collection. Join us as we peruse the Zoo in search of great wildlife shots. What better place to learn all the tricks to take better wildlife images than a Zoo? Attendees should bring their camera and tripod if they have one. |
April 30: 5-7pm April 13: 8-10am |
Garden Programs: Landscaping for the Homeowner Series
Join us for one of the most informative and complete landscape series for homeowners in the area. If you are planning on garden renovation or a new installation in your landscape, these classes provide great insight on design, preparation and plant selection with emphasis on plants that do best in the Tri-state area.
All classes meet on Wednesdays from 7-9 pm starting January 16
Cost per Class: Members: $10/ Non-Members: $14
Cost for Series: Members: $80/ Non-Members: $120
| topic | description | Dates & times |
|---|---|---|
| DESIGN YOUR OWN LANDSCAPE- PART I |
The focus of this class is the simple steps that every designer takes when evaluating a new landscape or renovating an existing landscape. Basic design principles will be discussed. |
January 16: 7-9pm |
| DESIGN YOUR OWN LANDSCAPE- PART II |
This is a more in-depth look at where plants go and why they go there. We will discuss the size and scale of the landscape, as well as proper bed preparation. |
January 23: 7-9pm |
| TREES IN THE LANDSCAPE |
Choosing the right tree for your landscape can be a costly decision. A slide presentation will illustrate the various types of trees that you can use. Shade trees, flowering trees, patio trees and evergreen trees will be presented. |
January 30: 7-9pm |
| SHRUBS IN THE LANDSCAPE |
View a slide presentation on the best shrubs for Cincinnati area landscapes. Whether you have sun or shade, wet soils or dry, this class will present the possibilities of shrubs for the home landscape. Special emphasis will be on the newest and hardiest varieties for this area. |
February 6: 7-9pm |
| ANNUALS: COLOR IN THE LANDSCAPE |
Have you ever wondered what the secrets are to having lots of color in your landscape? Find out what the newest and best annuals are that tolerate Cincinnati summers. Container gardening with annuals will also be covered. |
February 13: 7-9pm |
| LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE AND LAWN CARE |
This class will cover proper landscape maintenance techniques from spring to fall-what to do and when to do it. Learn about the tools that make the job easier. In addition, learn the basics to a green lawn. Pruning, weed control, fertilization, insect and disease control for the complete landscape will all be covered. |
February 20: 7-9pm |
| PERENNIAL DESIGN |
This class presents basic design concepts for perennial gardens, including butterfly gardens, shade gardens, water gardens and more. A slide show will help paint a picture after discussing the concepts. |
February 27: 7-9pm |
| PERENNIAL PLANTS- PART I |
This is the first of a two part series covering perennials plants for the landscape. Perennials can be used in many ways and for many purposes. A slide show will include the top 50 perennials for the landscape. |
March 6: 7-9pm |
| PERENNIAL PLANTS- PART II |
The second part of perennial plants will also be a slide show of perennials for the landscape. This group will include ornamental grasses, roses, vines and other great perennial plants. |
March 13: 7-9pm |
| GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE |
This class will focus on creating specialized areas of the landscape for wildlife gardening including butterfly and bird gardens and utilizing native plants in the landscape. |
March 20; 7-9pm |
Garden Program
Cost per Class: Members: $45/ Non-Members: $50
| topic | description | Dates & times |
|---|---|---|
| CONTAINER GARDENING |
|
May 29: 6-7pm |
Green Classes
Free, Green Classes are offered at the Zoo and around town! Learn More>
More for the Entire Family
- Overnights at the Zoo are the perfect activity for families or groups of friends. Learn More>
- Are you planning a visit to the Zoo with your family? Make your visit extra special with one of our Family Programs. Learn More>
Questions? Contact us at (513) 559-7767 or email registrars@cincinnatizoo.org
