Seneca Park Zoo

Spring Break Experiences
2024-03-29 10:00 - 2024-04-07 17:00 (America/New_York) | At The Zoo, 2222 St. Paul Street, Rochester, New York, 14621
It’s one of our favorite times of year – Spring Break! Not only is the weather getting warmer and days getting longer, but we also get to see so many of our friends come out and visit us on their time off from school. Special programming will be held during Spring Break Week, as a preview to our summer programming, which include opportunities to see and learn more about your favorite animals at the Zoo from zoo keepers, naturalists, and docents. View and download/print the schedule below or here.
All spring break programming is free with Zoo admission.

Environmental Innovation Awards & Symposium
2024-03-28 08:00 - 11:00 | Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center, 123 East Main St, Rochester, NY, 14604, United States

Community Cleanup - Turning Point Park 3/16
2024-03-16 09:00 - 12:00 | Turning Point Park, 260 Boxart Street, Rochester, NY, 14612, United States
Join like-minded neighbors to help clean-up our local green spaces. You’ll be amazed at the impact a focused group can make in just a couple hours. Help us make Rochester a cleaner, greener city! Please dress for the weather and bring water to stay hydrated. Tools, bags, and gloves will be provided and all ages are welcome to attend.
When: Saturday, March 16, 2024 @ 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Where: Turning Point Park – we will meet at the parking lot here:
https://goo.gl/maps/X7BYvLR6RNKLTj968
Register here
Conditions for Cancellation:
Thunder or lightning AQI of over 200 Average temperature of – Under 0 degrees F – Over 80 degrees F Heavy rainfall (flood warnings) Over 2” of snow on the ground Wind conditions over 40 mph. Windchill is below -18 degrees F
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor for Community Cleanups:

Seneca Park Zoo Job Fair 3/9
2024-03-09 10:00 - 14:00 | At The Zoo, 2222 St. Paul Street, Rochester, New York, 14621
Interested in working at the Zoo? The opportunity presents itself! Stop by March 8th or 9th from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM for our Annual Job Fair! Hiring for all seasonal positions in our Guest Experience, Retail and Food & Beverage departments. Upon arrival, our associates at the admissions gate will guide those interested to the designated open interview area at our Trailside Pavilion, for free! If you intend on spending time exploring the Zoo, you will be required to purchase a ticket. Apply in advance using link here. Must be 15 or older

Seneca Park Zoo Job Fair 3/8
2024-03-08 10:00 - 14:00 | At The Zoo, 2222 St. Paul Street, Rochester, New York, 14621

Sustainable Table Dinner Series: Dinner with The Owl House
2024-03-07 17:30 - 20:00 | Owl House Restaurant, 75 Marshall St., Rochester, NY, 14607
Sustainable Table Dinner Series: Dinner with The Owl House
The Sustainable Table series features local kitchens who share the Seneca Park Zoo Society’s commitment to sustainability, showing how vibrant and delicious sustainable living can be. At every Sustainable Table event, you can expect to learn and experience new things about our region’s ecology and agriculture, enjoy an amazing meal that incorporates plenty of local and sustainably produced food, and support the critical conservation education that the Zoo Society provides all year round at our Zoo and throughout the community.
We have partnered with The Owl House for our next Sustainable Table fundraising dinner on Thursday, March 7, 2024.
You’ll enjoy a three-course dinner with optional wine/signature cocktail pairing, all while supporting education and conservation programming at the Zoo and in our community. Chef Leigh Ann Kaminek will provide a short cooking lesson while informing guests about utilizing every aspect of winter ingredients and composting opportunities.
This incredibly creative menu focuses on sustainable, farm-to-table dining using fresh ingredients.
Dine-in: $70 per person
Optional: $20 wine pairing/signature cocktail add-on

Check Back for Our Next Table!

The Owl House Sustainable Table Menu
Appetizer
Carrot, ginger & fennel bisque
Entrée
Roasted bone-in chicken (meat) or crispy oyster mushroom (non-meat) with cumin spiced carrots, fennel frond salad, lemon curd, toasted almonds
Choice of DessertPear and ginger panna cotta with candied ginger and anise glaze

UUU Art Collective x SPZ - Conservation Art Show at UUU Gallery
2024-03-01 18:00 - 21:00 | New York

Defend the Ice Month: Rochester Amerks Vs. Syracuse Crunch (February 28th)
2024-02-28 19:00 - 22:00 | Blue Cross Arena, 1 War Mem Sq, Rochester, 14614, United States
February is our annual Defend the Ice Month with the Rochester Amerks!
Seneca Park Zoo is partnering once again with the Rochester Americans to help create awareness for polar bears and the sea ice they depend on. As part of this exclusive discounted offer, $2 per ticket purchased at the link below will be donated directly to the Seneca Park Zoo on behalf of the Amerks. Fans can also redeem ticket stubs from any home Amerks game in February for $1 off one admission ticket at the Zoo!

Discounted Defend the Ice Tickets Here!

Defend the Ice Month Home Game Schedule:

Friday, Feb. 9 @ 7:05 p.m. VS. Syracuse Crunch (Pride Night & $2 Pregame Happy Hour)
Friday, Feb. 16 @ 7:05 p.m. VS. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Military Salute & $2 Pregame Happy Hour)
Sunday, Feb. 18 @ 3:05 p.m. VS. Utica Comets (Kids Day & 321 Weekend)
Wednesday, Feb. 21 @7:05 p.m. VS. Belleville Senators
Friday, Feb. 23 @ 7:05 p.m. VS. Belleville Senators
Wednesday, Feb. 28 @ 7:05 p.m. VS. Syracuse Crunch

Seneca Park Zoo partners with groups like Polar Bears International (PBI), the only organization dedicated solely to polar bear conservation. PBI exists to protect polar bears and the ice they depend on, helping to secure a future for polar bears across the Arctic. Seneca Park Zoo’s Defend the Ice initiative has contributed more than $30,000 to polar bear conservation through Polar Bears International. Learn more here.

Polar Bear Weekend 2024
2024-02-24 10:00 - 2024-02-25 16:00 | At The Zoo, 2222 St. Paul Street, Rochester, New York, 14621
Join us for Polar Bear Weekend 2024 as we will be celebrating these amazing animals and raise awareness of the shrinking habitat they live in on Saturday, February 24 and Sunday, February 25 in honor of International Polar Bear Day (Tuesday, February 27). This event is free with Zoo admission. Meet us inside Rocky Coasts Gallery to learn about Anoki’s daily care and the Zoo’s partnership with Polar Bears International (PBI) and find out what you can do to help save polar bears and the Arctic sea ice they depend on. There will be games/activities, informative materials, and Anoki’s family tree gallery!
The Zoo is also partnering once again with the Rochester Americans to help create awareness for polar bears and the sea ice they depend on as part of Defend the Ice Month!
Schedule for Live Enrichment Demos:
Make plans to come to the Zoo to watch as Anoki’s keepers provide her with enrichment food/exercises to stimulate her physically and mentally (and of course treats!).
When: Saturday & Sunday at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
* Live enrichment is always subject to change/cancellation without prior notice due to unforeseen circumstances that may arise

Support polar bear conservation and raise awareness of the shrinking habitat they live by donating to our fundraiser that will go to our partners who do great work in the field, Polar Bears International. They are the the only conservation organization dedicated solely wild polar bears in nature. We are proud of the work we do and are able to help through our support of PBI. We even have three Arctic Climate Ambassadors on our staff (Assistant Curator Kellee, Zoo Keepers Heidi & Randi! Learn about the recent trip Heidi went on to Churchill, Canada last year to work with PBI in the field here.
For every $5 donated you will also be automatically entered to win a polar bear prize bundle, which includes some PBI swag (polar bear plush, water bottle, and reusable bag).

Support Polar Bear Conservation

Virtual Content:
Welcome to Polar Bear Weekend! Check out these awesome and informative graphics from our friends at Polar Bears International!
See Polar Bears Roam! You can watch polar bears as they travel across the sea ice to hunt seals with this Polar Bear Tracker from PBI.
Q&A with PBI’s Director of Field Operations, BJ Kirschhoffer, on the Svalbard Maternal Den Study
The Quest for New Den-Detection Technology – Learn about PBI’s fieldwork with artificial dens. Being able to find and map polar bear dens hidden under the snow will help ensure moms and cubs aren’t disturbed.

On the Blog:
Check out this blog on our site by Dr. Karyn Rode, Research Wildlife Biologist with U.S. Geological Survey – Alaska Science Center for a summary of one study we are currently taking part in with Anoki on estimating the importance of land-based, human-provisioned foods in polar bears affected by sea ice loss. This is a great example of how animals in conservation care can have a direct impact on research and projects being done to help their counterparts in nature.
Zoos Support Polar Bear Conservation Research in the Wild – This guest essay contributed by Dr. Thea Bechshoft, Conservation Programs Associate and Staff Scientist Polar Bears International, first appeared in our January 2023 edition of ZooNooz.

Defend the Ice Month: Rochester Amerks Vs. Belleville Senators (February 23rd)
2024-02-23 19:00 - 22:00 | Blue Cross Arena, 1 War Mem Sq, Rochester, 14614, United States
February is our annual Defend the Ice Month with the Rochester Amerks!
Seneca Park Zoo is partnering once again with the Rochester Americans to help create awareness for polar bears and the sea ice they depend on. As part of this exclusive discounted offer, $2 per ticket purchased at the link below will be donated directly to the Seneca Park Zoo on behalf of the Amerks. Fans can also redeem ticket stubs from any home Amerks game in February for $1 off an admission ticket at the Zoo!

Discounted Defend the Ice Tickets Here!

Defend the Ice Month Home Game Schedule:

Friday, Feb. 9 @ 7:05 p.m. VS. Syracuse Crunch (Pride Night & $2 Pregame Happy Hour)
Friday, Feb. 16 @ 7:05 p.m. VS. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Military Salute & $2 Pregame Happy Hour)
Sunday, Feb. 18 @ 3:05 p.m. VS. Utica Comets (Kids Day & 321 Weekend)
Wednesday, Feb. 21 @7:05 p.m. VS. Belleville Senators
Friday, Feb. 23 @ 7:05 p.m. VS. Belleville Senators
Wednesday, Feb. 28 @ 7:05 p.m. VS. Syracuse Crunch

Seneca Park Zoo partners with groups like Polar Bears International (PBI), the only organization dedicated solely to polar bear conservation. PBI exists to protect polar bears and the ice they depend on, helping to secure a future for polar bears across the Arctic. Seneca Park Zoo’s Defend the Ice initiative has contributed more than $30,000 to polar bear conservation through Polar Bears International. Learn more here.

Defend the Ice Month: Rochester Amerks Vs. Belleville Senators (February 21st)
2024-02-21 19:00 - 22:00 | Blue Cross Arena, 1 War Mem Sq, Rochester, 14614, United States

Winter Break ZooCamp 2024
2024-02-19 09:00 - 2024-02-23 16:00 | At The Zoo, 2222 St. Paul Street, Rochester, New York, 14621
Big Cat Habitat

Monday, February 19 through Friday, February 23

Big cats live in habitats all around the world. Learn about the habitats of these awesome cats and explore the Zoo to observe the big cats that call Seneca Park Zoo home!
Our Frequently Asked Questions page is a great resource for many of the questions you may have.

For ages 5 through 9

Full-day: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Half-day: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

COST
Members: $155 for half-day; $260 for full-day
Non-members: $175 for half-day; $285 for full-day

REGISTER HERE

Participants must register for the full week of camp; no single day options are available. Registration is non-refundable.

Defend the Ice Month: Rochester Amerks Vs. Utica Comets (February 18th)
2024-02-18 15:00 - 18:00 | Blue Cross Arena, 1 War Mem Sq, Rochester, 14614, United States

Cold Climate Awareness Weekend
2024-02-17 10:00 - 2024-02-18 16:00 | At The Zoo, 2222 St. Paul Street, Rochester, New York, 14621
Join us Saturday, February 17 and Sunday, February 18 for Cold Climate Awareness Weekend! This event is free with Zoo admission. Learn about how different animals adapt to cold weather and get a chance to see some of them in their element, right here in our care.
The Zoo will be collecting money to support our friends and conservation partners at Tiger Conservation Campaign throughout this weekend. For every $5 donated you will be entered in a drawing to win a special Zoo bundle including tiger and wolf plushies, reusable water bottle, and packet of Bee’s Wrap sustainable food storage!
Schedule for Live Enrichment Demos:
Saturday & Sunday:
10:30 a.m. – Canada lynx Enrichment & Keeper Chat
11:00 a.m. – Snowy Owl Conservation Chat
2:00 p.m. – Wolf Enrichment & Keeper Chat
Tiger Enrichment – will happen throughout the days, but with no set time due to the unpredictable timing of Katya’s daily schedule
* Live enrichment is always subject to change/cancellation without prior notice due to unforeseen circumstances that may arise

Donate to Support Tiger Conservation

Fundraiser Drawing Bundle! Every $5 = one chance to win

Defend the Ice Month: Rochester Amerks Vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (February 16th)
2024-02-16 19:00 - 22:00 | Blue Cross Arena, 1 War Mem Sq, Rochester, 14614, United States

Defend the Ice Month: Rochester Amerks Vs. Syracuse Crunch (February 9th)
2024-02-09 19:00 - 22:00 | Blue Cross Arena, 1 War Mem Sq, Rochester, 14614, United States

Environmental Innovation Awards & Symposium - Nominations Deadline!
2024-02-09 12:00 | Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center, 123 East Main St, Rochester, NY, 14604, United States

UUU Art Collective x SPZ - Submissions Close!
2024-02-04 23:59 | New York

Community Cleanup - Turning Point Park 1/21
2024-01-21 14:00 - 16:00 | Turning Point Park, 260 Boxart Street, Rochester, NY, 14612, United States
Join like-minded neighbors to help clean-up our local green spaces. You’ll be amazed at the impact a focused group can make in just a couple hours. Help us make Rochester a cleaner, greener city! Please dress for the weather and bring water to stay hydrated. Tools, bags, and gloves will be provided and all ages are welcome to attend.
When: Sunday, January 21, 2024 @ 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Turning Point Park – we will meet at the parking lot here:
https://goo.gl/maps/X7BYvLR6RNKLTj968
Register here
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor for Community Cleanups:

Day Off ZooCamp - Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2024
2024-01-15 09:00 - 16:00 | At The Zoo, 2222 St. Paul Street, Rochester, New York, 14621
At the Zoo – January 15 / 9:00 am
Martin Luther King Jr. Day

School is out, so come to the Zoo instead! We’ll spend the day exploring what animals do in the wintertime and learning which ones prefer the cold!
It’s like Summer ZooCamp in a single day!

For ages 5 through 9

Full-day: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There is no half-day option available for this camp.

COST
Members: $45 for full-day
Non-members: $55 for full-day

Registration Closed – Check out our other upcoming education programs!

Please check your individual school calendar to confirm the day off.
Registration for this program is non-refundable.

Holiday Break ZooCamp 2023
2023-12-27 09:00 - 2023-12-29 16:00 | At The Zoo, 2222 St. Paul Street, Rochester, New York, 14621
Feeding Frenzy

December 27th through December 29th

When school is out, send your child to the Zoo where we will spend the week learning about the favorite foods of your favorite animals, as we explore Seneca Park Zoo in the winter!

For ages 5 through 9

Full-day: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Half-day: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

COST
Members: $95 for half-day; $155 for full-day
Non-members: $105 for half-day; $170 for full-day

Participants must register for the full week of camp; no single day options are available. Registration is non-refundable.

Register

Community Cleanup - Turning Point Park 12/23
2023-12-23 09:00 - 12:00 | Turning Point Park, 260 Boxart Street, Rochester, NY, 14612, United States
Join like-minded neighbors to help clean-up our local green spaces. You’ll be amazed at the impact a focused group can make in just a couple hours. Help us make Rochester a cleaner, greener city! Please dress for the weather and bring water to stay hydrated. Tools, bags, and gloves will be provided and all ages are welcome to attend.
When: Saturday, December 23, 2023 @ 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Where: Turning Point Park – we will meet at the parking lot here:
https://goo.gl/maps/X7BYvLR6RNKLTj968
Register here
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor for Community Cleanups:

Freeze Fest
2023-12-22 19:05 - 21:00 | Blue Cross Arena, 1 War Mem Sq, Rochester, 14614, United States
Freeze Fest with the Rochester Amerks!

Seneca Park Zoo is partnering once again with the Rochester Americans to help create awareness for polar bears and the sea ice they depend with a new spin this year as Freeze Fest!
Freeze Fest, will be held on on Friday, Dec. 22 when the Amerks host the Providence Bruins at 7:05 p.m. at The Blue Cross Arena. The Amerks will also wear special winter-themed jerseys in support of polar bear awareness that will be auctioned off online. Winners will be contacted directly. Proceeds from the jersey auction will be donated to Seneca Park Zoo Society and Polar Bears International.
Plus, $2 from each ticket purchase will go to support conservation efforts by the Zoo!
Any interested members, employee, or individual can secure a ticket here.
Jersey Auction: The Amerks will also wear special winter-themed jerseys in support of polar bear awareness that will be auctioned off online. Proceeds from the jersey auction will be donated to Seneca Park Zoo Society and Polar Bears International. Bidding will open Monday the 18th here.

Community Cleanup - Lower Maplewood Park 12/2
2023-12-02 09:00 - 12:00 | Lower Maplewood Park, Maplewood Park, Rochester, 14615
Join like-minded neighbors to help clean-up our local green spaces. You’ll be amazed at the impact a focused group can make in just a couple hours. Help us make Rochester a cleaner, greener city! Please dress for the weather and bring water to stay hydrated. Tools, bags, and gloves will be provided and all ages are welcome to attend.
When: Saturday, December 2, 2023 @ 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Where: Lower Maplewood Park – we will meet at the parking lot here:
https://goo.gl/maps/omsSWSeLZBfTAZy86
Register here
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor for Community Cleanups:

Giving Tuesday 2023
2023-11-28 07:00 - 23:30 | New York

Community Cleanup - Conkey Corner Park / El Camino Trail 11/18
2023-11-18 09:00 - 12:00 | Conkey Corner Park, 92 Conkey Ave, Rochester, NY, 14621, United States
Join like-minded neighbors to help clean-up our local green spaces. You’ll be amazed at the impact a focused group can make in just a couple hours. Help us make Rochester a cleaner, greener city! Please dress for the weather and bring water to stay hydrated. Tools, bags, and gloves will be provided and all ages are welcome to attend.
When: Saturday, November 18, 2023 @ 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Where: Conkey Corner Park / El Camino Trail – we will meet at the parking lot here:
https://goo.gl/maps/fuv9wjwhbWXxXmXMA
Register here
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor for Community Cleanups:

Scouts BSA - Merit Badge Workshop: Mammal Study
2023-11-11 13:00 - 16:00 | At The Zoo, 2222 St. Paul Street, Rochester, New York, 14621
At the Zoo – November 11 / 1:00 pm
Merit Badge Workshop: Mammal Study
During this workshop scouts will investigate what makes mammals unique as they observe the many mammals that live in Seneca Park Zoo. We will classify mammals, study the history of a local mammal, and trace mammals through food chains. Scouts will also develop a plan for a project that affects mammals in their backyard. This experience will help fulfill requirements 1, 2, 3c and 4g of the merit badge.
Cost: $30 per scout
REGISTER

Day Off ZooCamp - Veterans Day 2023
2023-11-10 09:00 - 16:00 | At The Zoo, 2222 St. Paul Street, Rochester, New York, 14621
At the Zoo – November 10 / 9:00 am
Veterans Day – Splish Splash
School is on break and it’s the perfect time for a fund day of learning at Seneca Park Zoo! At Day off ZooCamp, campers will spend the day learning about different watery habitats. Campers will explore the Zoo and learn about different animals that love the water.
It’s like Summer ZooCamp in a single day!

For ages 5 through 9

Full-day: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There is no half-day option available for this camp.

COST
Members: $45 for full-day
Non-members: $55 for full-day
FULL-DAY REGISTRATION
Please check your individual school calendar to confirm the day off.
Registration for this program is non-refundable but is transferable to another camp.

Deaf Culture Awareness Day at the Zoo 2023
2023-11-04 10:00 - 16:00 | At The Zoo, 2222 St. Paul Street, Rochester, New York, 14621
Join us Saturday, November 4th as we celebrate Deaf Culture Awareness Day at the Zoo! This year we will be partnering with the Rochester School for the Deaf and RIT’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf to provide accessible programming opportunities to the deaf community right here in our local community.
Schedule of Live Enrichment with Sign Language Interpreters:
Elephant – 10:30
Red panda – 11:30
Naked mole rat – 12:00
Otter Experience – 1:30
Baboon – 3:00
Please note: The Zoo grounds close at 4 p.m. with last entry at 3 p.m.

Community Cleanup - Maplewood Rose Garden 11/4
2023-11-04 09:00 - 12:00 | Maplewood Rose Garden, 250 Maplewood Ave, Rochester, NY, 14613, United States
Join like-minded neighbors to help clean-up our local green spaces. You’ll be amazed at the impact a focused group can make in just a couple hours. Help us make Rochester a cleaner, greener city! Please dress for the weather and bring water to stay hydrated. Tools, bags, and gloves will be provided and all ages are welcome to attend.
When: Saturday, November 4, 2023 @ 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Where: Maplewood Rose Garden – we will meet at the parking lot here:
https://goo.gl/maps/cXmHaV669bNDYo2n8
Register here
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor for Community Cleanups:
