On June 20 and 21 the Houston Zoo invites children of all ages (adults included) to Pollinator Palooza presented by Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. During this two day event, guests can enjoy the zoo while celebrating the animals that are responsible for a variety of plants and grains, as well as many popular treats including chocolate, fruits, and even tequila.

The event is sure to be a blast for parents and kids alike, with ladybug and butterfly releases, meet the keeper chats, and a  zoo-wide scavenger hunt, all  while learning more about these amazing creatures that make the world a beautiful, diverse place. Guests can also meet zookeepers and talk to local bee keepers to learn how to help local pollinators thrive.

Pollinator Palooza Event Schedule

Both Saturday and Sunday

• 10:00 – Ladybug release at the butterfly garden
• 10:30 – Bat Meet the Keeper Talk in the John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo*
• 11:00 – Flora & Fauna puppet show at the Reflection Pool
• 11:00 – Bug House Meet the Keeper Talk*
• 11:00 – Meet the Horticulturalist at the carnivorous plant garden
• 11:30 – Ladybug release at the butterfly garden
• 12:00 – Flora & Fauna puppet show at the Reflection Pool
• 12:00 – Lemur Meet the Keeper Talk in Wortham World of Primates*
• 1:00 – Flora & Fauna puppet show at the Reflection Pool
• 1:30 – Bug House Meet the Keeper Talk*
• 2:30 – Bug House Meet the Keeper Talk*
• 3:00 – Bat Meet the Keeper Talk in the Curruth Natural Encounters Building*

  *All Meet the Keeper Talks Presented by Phillips 66

What Are Pollinators?

Pollinators help move pollen from one plant to another, resulting in the wide variety of plants, fruits, vegetables, and grains. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and include members of the animal kingdom like butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, bats, ring-tailed lemurs, ants, and even slugs. Pollinators are responsible for helping create up to 30% of the food we eat!

Saving Pollinators at Home

Pollinator Palooza entertains as well as educate guests on ways in which they can help save these often underrated ecosystem heroes.  Lately, pesticides used in a large amount of gardens and farms have had a negative effect on pollinator populations, particularly bees. Guests can help at home by:

• Planting flowering plants to attract bees and butterflies – monarch butterflies are fond of milkweed
• Using ladybugs, a natural insecticide, instead of chemicals when treating gardens
• Providing food and water for pollinators, for example, hang a hummingbird feeder

To learn more, visit blogs.houstonzoo.org.

Pollinator Palooza is included in Houston Zoo admission. Visit houstonzoo.org/pollinators for more information.

The Houston Zoo is located at 6200 Hermann Park Drive in beautiful Hermann Park and only a short drive from Pearland off Highway 288.