News and Stories

 Cincinnati Zoo shares botanical beauty via virtual tours and special deliveries to area hospitals and nursing homes

April is usually a time when garden enthusiasts flock to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden for Zoo Blooms, a month-long celebration that features more than 100,000 beautiful tulips.  This year, since the Zoo is closed, it will bring the blooms to homes via virtual garden tours and will deliver real flowers to hospitals and nursing homes.

“It’s so beautiful at the Zoo in April.  Too beautiful not to be shared with the thousands of people who would usually be here to see and smell tulips up close,” said Cincinnati Zoo Director Thane Maynard. “We can’t bring the smells of the garden to people at home, but we will host virtual garden tours to share the beauty of the blooms with people everywhere. Our horticulture team is also cutting flowers so they can be delivered to hospital workers and nursing home residents.”

Video and photos of Making and Delivering Bouquets

    Peak bloom is expected to happen around Easter, and you won’t have to miss it.  Zoo Horticulture Director Stephen Foltz will lead a live tour around the garden for a specialHome Safari on April 11 at 3pm on Facebook.  All Home Safaris, virtual Zoo visits that the Zoo has offered since it closed on March 15, are also posted on the Zoo’s website along with an at-home activitythat complements the safari them.

“We’re hoping to reschedule many of our events, such as the free Tunes & Blooms concert series that was scheduled for Thursdays in April, but flowers bloom when they bloom,” said Maynard.  “The only way to enjoy those blooms this year will be on a screen.”

In addition to the Home Safari on April 11, the Zoo will be sharing photos and videos of the botanical garden throughout the month on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Virtual Party for the Planet

Instead of hosting the Zoo’s annual Earth Day celebration, Party for the Planet, on site it will provide a virtual resource to allow families to celebrate this important day from the comfort and safety of their own homes. The Zoo will partner with other local conservation and sustainability focused organizations to create hands-on activities and learning opportunities that highlight the awesome work that Cincinnati organizations are doing to better our planet.

Sponsor Recognition

Without revenue from admissions, events, and food/retail sales, sponsorship support is vitally important to Cincinnati Zoo.  The Zoo would like to thank JP Morgan Chase & Co. and Macy’s GIVES for continuing to support its horticulture programs during the closure.