Turtle Back Zoo
ZOO TEAM GO
Our volunteers work within the Turtle Back Zoo Education Department and the Zoological Society of New Jersey to assist with conservation efforts, group projects, and special events across New Jersey.
Volunteering provides great benefits to the community while generating business value in the form of increased employee engagement and opportunities for team building. Zoo Team Go has managed group sizes that range from 30 to 200 volunteers.
INITIATIVES
Past Zoo Team Go initiatives include a cleanup of the waterways at South Mountain Reservoir, a clearing of invasive species plants that prohibit undergrowth around Washington Rock Lookout, and major cleanup of debris, invasive species, and litter at Turtle Back Rock.
| Location | Date | Type of Clean UP | Weight Collected |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Waterfront at South Mountain Recreation Complex | Sunday, May 5, 2019 | Litter | 67 lbs. |
| South Mountain Dog Park to Washington Lookout | Saturday, October 12, 2019 | Invasive Plant Species & Litter | 86 lbs. |
| Virtual Volunteer Program | Ongoing | Litter | 271 lbs. |
| Sobel & Co. Cleanup Turtle Back Rock | Monday, August 2, 2021 | Invasive Plant Species, Litter, & Graffiti | 2,610 lbs. |
| Pollinator Garden Session 1 | Sunday, March 27, 2022 | Invasive Plant Species & Litter | 40 lbs. |
| Pollinator Garden Session 2 | Sunday, April 3, 2022 | Invasive Plant Species & Litter | 90 lbs. |
| Pollinator Garden Session 3 | Sunday, April 24, 2022 | Invasive Plant Species & Litter | 550 lbs. |
| Pollinator Garden Session 4 | Sunday, May 8, 2022 | Invasive Plant Species & Litter | 150 lbs. |
| Pollinator Garden with Merck | Friday, June 3, 2022 | Invasive Plant Species & Litter | 65 lbs. |
| Pollinator Pathway with Wolf & Co. | Wednesday, June 15, 2022 | Planting Initiative | 0 lbs. |
| L'Oreal Clean Up The Waterfront at South Mountain Recreation Complex | Thursday, June 22, 2023 | Litter | 250 lbs. |
| Merck at the Waterfront at South Mountain Recreation Complex | Friday, August 18, 2023 | Invasive Plant Species & Litter | 106 lbs. |
| New Jersey American Water at the Waterfront at South Mountain Recreation Complex | Tuesday, September 26, 2023 | Litter | 28 lbs. |
| CarMax and Jenkinson's Aquarium at Jenkinson's Beach | Thursday, March 21, 2024 | Litter | 562 lbs. |
| New Jersey American Water at the Waterfront at South Mountain Recreation Complex | Thursday, April 11, 2024 | Litter | 72 lbs. |
| Total Collected: | 4,947 lbs. |
BECOME A VIRTUAL VOLUNTEER
Zoo Team Go also offers a virtual clean up option. Volunteer to organize a local cleanup, weigh your collection, and share your service experience.
DOCENT PROGRAM
Volunteering as a docent is a wonderful way to learn more about the zoo and share your insight with guests. Docents are volunteer teachers who provide group learning experiences in the form of zoo tours, demonstrations, and special events.
