News and Stories

“Wonderful things are always happening at the Zoo, and the volunteers are there to help make it happen.” — Cincinnati Zoo News, Summer 1977

That quote from nearly fifty years ago still perfectly captures the heart of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. From the very beginning, volunteers have been a driving force behind everything wonderful that happens here. When a need arises, they step up — and more often than not, they help launch entirely new programs, departments, and ways of caring for animals, plants, and people.

Today, the Zoo is powered by nearly 500 adult volunteers serving in 61 different roles across almost every department, contributing around 115,000 hours of service each year. But this tradition of stepping up and leading forward is nothing new — it’s part of the Zoo’s DNA.

The Early Years: A Community Built on Service (1870s–1950s)

When the Cincinnati Zoological Garden opened in 1875, it was built on community spirit. Though there wasn’t yet a formal volunteer program, civic groups, social clubs, and devoted Cincinnatians were there from the start, raising funds, lending their talents, and helping the Zoo thrive. The Zoo has always been a place where people come together for something bigger than themselves.

The 1960s & 1970s: The Zoosters and the Birth of the Volunteer Program

The official volunteer program began in February 1964, when a group of passionate women formed a women’s committee called “The Zoosters” under the leadership of Mrs. Francis Eustis. Their first mission? To grow Zoo membership and community support — and they did just that.

Zoosters launched handwritten membership campaigns that brought in thousands of new members. They created beautiful window displays in downtown businesses like Fifth Third Bank, Shillito’s, and Jones the Florist, developed discounted admission cards perfect for children’s birthday gifts to bring in new visitors, and offered guided tours and delightful lunches to visitors for just $2.

Soon, the energy caught on:

• The   opened in 1964 to support Zoo operations.

• The Speaker’s Bureau (1970) sent volunteers into schools and clubs to share wildlife stories.

• The Zoo Volunteer Observers (1974), started by Madge Van Buskirk, began monitoring animal births and behaviors — a program that still exists today and remains volunteer fueled.

• The  Volunteers in the Education Department brought expertise and creativity to Zoo learning on grounds, and Horticulture Volunteers assisted with gardening and plant sales.

Between the dedicated Zoosters and the tireless volunteers who staffed the ZooMart— eventually becoming the Zoo Gift Shop—and the Holiday shops, these early volunteers helped raise over $7 million for the  , a staggering contribution that fueled the growth of animal habitats, education, and animal care for decades to come.

By 1977, the Zoo had over 800 volunteers serving as tour guides, animal handlers, speakers, fundraisers, and observers that helped shape the Zoo’s growth during a time of transformation.

The 1980s–2000s: Expansion, Expertise, and New Adventures

As the Zoo evolved, so did its volunteer program. Specialized teams emerged, including Volunteer Divers, who helped maintain and clean aquatic animal habitats, and Volunteer Photographers (starting in 2008), who captured incredible animal moments for marketing, research, and even veterinary care.

Behind the scenes, volunteers worked alongside the Horticulture team in creative and meaningful ways by tending gardens across Zoo grounds, supporting community garden projects, and even helping care for the land and native habitats at Bowyer Farm, the Zoo’s off-site conservation property . Volunteers also lent their time and expertise to CREW (the Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife) — even earning citations in research publications — and contributed to countless projects that enhanced both the visitor and animal experience.

2010s: Innovation and Action

The 2010s ushered in a new era of creativity and purpose for Zoo volunteers. In 2013, as the Zoo elevated its animal welfare standards, volunteers once again rose to the challenge. The Animal Enrichment Volunteer Team was established to design and build enrichment for animals, improving welfare by encouraging natural behaviors and curiosity.  They continue to create hundreds of enrichment devices each year to stimulate minds and inspire exploration across species.

Beyond animal care, volunteers began supporting every corner of Zoo operations. They assisted the Development and Events teams, serving event guests, facilitating activities, and helping the Zoo with its zero-waste goals. Volunteers supported Zoo Camps, offering one-on-one assistance to campers who needed an extra hand, and helped expand Access for All initiatives through programs like Sensory Santa and specialized tours for individuals experiencing dementia and their caregivers.

One particularly dedicated volunteer also took on the monumental task of organizing the Zoo’s non-living collection: a remarkable archive of thousands of books, paintings, statues, and historical artifacts that preserve and celebrate the Zoo’s legacy. This ongoing effort ensures that the Zoo’s story remains accessible for generations to come.

2020s: Resilience, Renewal, and Action

When the pandemic hit in 2020, the world paused — but Zoo volunteers didn’t stop giving. They showed remarkable resilience and adaptability, finding creative ways to serve safely while keeping the Zoo’s mission alive.  Whether disinfecting shared spaces, supporting essential operations, or volunteering remotely, they continued to bring learning, wonder, and connection to the community during one of the most challenging times in the Zoo’s history.

As the world reopened, volunteers came back stronger than ever. By 2022, volunteer recruitment ramped up again, and volunteer educators recognized a new opportunity: to help guests move beyond awareness into action. Joining the Conservation Impact Team, volunteer Habitat Ambassadors began inspiring visitors to care for wildlife and wild places through simple, everyday choices. Around the same time, a new group of Inspired Greeters joined the Visitor Experience team by welcoming guests at the front gate, train and carousel, helping create memorable, meaningful experiences throughout the Zoo.

Most recently, volunteers have even expanded into fields like IT and data analysis, helping track animal behavior, measure sustainability outcomes, and streamline Zoo operations — saving time, resources, and helping advance the Zoo’s mission of continuous improvement.

The Legacy Continues

Since 1970, the start of volunteer recordkeeping, more than 6,300 individuals have served as Cincinnati Zoo volunteers. Their fingerprints are everywhere: in the gardens, in the animal care spaces, in the memories of visitors, and in the countless innovations that have shaped the Zoo’s success.

Their contributions can’t truly be measured in dollars, though their work has raised and saved millions. Volunteers’ true value is seen in impact, in kindness, in creativity, and in the countless “wonderful things” that happen every single day because of them.

If you’ve ever thought about joining the volunteer team, there’s never been a better time. When volunteers step up at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, big things happen — new ideas grow, animals thrive, and visitors leave inspired.

Be part of that legacy.
Be part of what’s next.