Audubon Nature Institute Happenings

For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Katie Smith
Audubon Nature Institute
504-378-2693 (office) / 504-278-0542 (cell)
ksmith@auduboninstitute.org

Audubon Nature Institute Happenings
January-March 2013

(New Orleans, La.) - Audubon Zoo (6500 Magazine St.) is open 10am to 4pm, Tuesday through Friday, and 10am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday. Beginning March 9, 2013, Audubon Zoo will be open 10am to 5pm, Tuesday through Sunday.

Audubon Aquarium of the Americas (1 Canal St.), Entergy IMAX® Theatre (1 Canal St.) and Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium (423 Canal St.) are open 10am to 5pm, Tuesday through Sunday.

All attractions are closed on Mondays and Mardi Gras Day.

2013 ATTRACTION ADMISSION PRICES

                     Zoo       Aquarium    Butterfly Garden & Insectarium       Entergy IMAX® Theatre
Adult            $17.50    $22.50          $16.50                                           $10.50
Child (2-12) $12.00    $16.00          $12.00                                           $8.00
Sr. Citizen    $13.00    $17.00          $13.00                                           $9.50

Audubon's Dinosaur Adventure at Audubon Zoo
$2.00 - Members
$4.00 - General Public
In addition to Zoo admission.

AUDUBON EXPERIENCE

An Audubon Experience ticket includes admission to Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Entergy IMAX® Theatre and Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium.

Adults (13-64) $44.50
Children (2-12) $31.50
Senior Citizens (65+) $31.50

Please visit www.AudubonInstitute.org
for more information on hours of operation and combination admission prices.

Follow Us!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/audubonzoo
Twitter: @AudubonZoo

SPECIAL MONDAY OPENINGS
Audubon Aquarium, Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium,
Entergy IMAX® Theatre and Audubon Zoo will be open
the following Mondays:

January 21- Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday
February 11- Lundi Gras

REOPENING MARCH 30, 2013 - MORE FUN THAN EVER:

Cool Zoo: A Wild and Wet Splash Park - Audubon Zoo
Keeping cool and having fun! An exciting park full of
water activities anchored by an incredible alligator water slide!

NEW!!! BACKSTAGE PENGUIN PASS

Audubon's Backstage Penguin Pass is an exciting way to meet the Aquarium's penguins up close! Click here for more details.
EVENTS
JANUARY - MARCH 2013

Black History Month Scavenger Hunt
Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium and Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium
February 2013
Guests ages 5 - 17 hunt for interesting facts about African American scientists, biologists, zookeepers and other historical figures. All participants are entered into a drawing for a family membership. Activities included in admission.

Zulu Lundi Gras Festival
Woldenberg Riverfront Park
Feb. 11, 2013
10am-5:30pm
The 2013 Zulu Lundi Gras Festival lives up to its good-times reputation for the 20th consecutive year, when the 500 members of the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club host a full day of fun and excitement along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River. The festival event features local and world-renowned entertainers performing on three stages. The Lundi Gras Festival food vendors kick up dishes like crawfish pie, shrimp Creole, file' gumbo, alligator sausage, Jamaican chicken, crawfish bread, catfish po-boys, peach cobbler, pecan pie and many more New Orleans delicacies. Don't miss the arrival of the Zulu King and his entourage at 5pm.

Get Yah Praise On
Audubon Zoo
February 23, 2013
12pm - 2pm
A hand-clapping gospel music experience presented in the inspirational setting of Audubon Zoo's Capital One Stage and Field. Included in admission to Audubon Zoo.

Soul Fest
Audubon Zoo
March 2 and 3, 2013
10am - 5pm
Soul Fest, celebrating its 10th year, is the premier New Orleans celebration of African American music and culture. This event kicks off the spring festival season in New Orleans! Created to spotlight the achievements of African Americans while educating Zoo visitors about heritage, culture and wellness, the festival features Creole and soul food dishes along with live music from New Orleans popular R&B, jazz and gospel performers. Soul Fest also offers health and wellness information and activities for the whole family. Included in Zoo admission or membership.

Earth Fest
Audubon Zoo
March 16, 2013
10am - 5pm
Earth Fest is a fun way for Zoo visitors to learn about saving our environment. Exhibitors represent groups from non-profit, government and private businesses involved in environmental issues. Local restaurants and caterers offer taste-tempting fare such as poboys, chicken and andouille gumbo, fried eggplant and more, prepared by native Louisianans. Additionally, artisans showcase handmade arts and crafts. Included in Zoo admission or membership. Earth Fest is powered by BP.

Cool Zoo Season Begins!
Audubon Zoo
March 30, 2013
Audubon Zoo's popular new attraction opens for its third season March 30. Cool Zoo is an amazing array of fun water toys and activities, including a giant white alligator slide. Visit all day long!

Cool Zoo 2013 pricing:

Individual tickets:
$6 - members
$8 - non-members

POP tickets: Pay one price and enjoy all of Audubon Zoo's additional-fee attractions, including Cool Zoo, the Endangered Species Carousel, the Swamp Train and Audubon's Dinosaur Adventure. Visit as often as you'd like throughout the whole day!
$9 - members
$12- non-members

EDUCATION
Stroller Safari
Audubon Zoo
February, March and April
Bring your 18-36 month-old child to the Zoo with their favorite adult for a great adventure with nature. Short classes with a Zoo educator introduce children to their first nature concepts, offer outdoor exercises and present some of our favorite animal exhibits. Each class is designed around an animal theme with stories, a nature craft and a visit to the animal exhibit. This is a one-on-one experience for child and caregiver, please understand that siblings within the same 18-36 month age range cannot be accommodated without another adult registered in this special program.

Mardi Gras Camp
Audubon Zoo
February 13-15, 2013
$40 per day (9am-3pm) for members, $55 for non-members
Cultural celebrations are fun ways to learn about the world's animals and peoples. Make Audubon's Mardi Gras Camp part of your child's celebration. Each day is full of animal exploration, scientific investigation, crafts and more at Audubon Zoo! Before and After Care is available - $7 for Before Care and $10 for After Care. This event is created for kids from Kindergarten to 5th Grade. Spaces are limited! Phone (504) 861-5103 for more.

Youth Volunteer Programs
Deadline for Applications: March 1, 2013
Audubon Aquarium
The AquaKid program engages students through hands-on learning experiences designed to enhance their public speaking skills, knowledge of marine science and work place skills. An exciting summer training program includes field trips and other learning opportunities at the Aquarium. The 2013 AquaKid program is open to students entering the 7th-9th grades in the fall of 2013. The Junior Naturalist program is a program developed for students entering the 10th-11th grades for the Fall of 2013. Participants will learn basic marine biology and conservation during an intensive week of training.

Audubon Zoo
The Jr. Keeper program encourages hands-on learning, creativity, teamwork, a sense of stewardship towards the environment and the development of workplace and life skills through a wide variety of volunteer experiences. The 2013 Jr. Keeper Program will be open to youth entering the 7th, 8th, or 9th grade in the Fall of 2013.

Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium
The Junior Entomologist program introduces students to the world of arthropods. Students will learn teamwork and public speaking while participating in hands-on learning activities through field trips and class time. The 2013 Junior Entomologist program is open to students entering the 8th-10th grades during the fall of 2013.

Safari After Dark
Audubon Zoo
March 2, 2013
$45 for members, $55 for non-members (5:30pm-9:30am the next morning)
Spend the night camping at Audubon Zoo! This family fun event lets you into the Zoo after everyone else goes home. Bring a tent, sleeping gear and a picnic dinner, and the Audubon Zoo Education staff will educate and entertain with crafts, animal presentations, ‘behind the scenes' tours and night hikes. Evening snack and continental breakfast included. This event is created for kids 5 years and older and their families. Spaces are limited! Phone (504) 861-5103 for more.

ENTERGY IMAX® THEATRE
Now Showing:

The Last Reef 3D
Born to Be Wild 3D
Hurricane on the Bayou

Subject to change. Visit www.auduboninstitute.org for show schedules.

Audubon Nature Institute is a 501(c)3 not for profit operating a family of museums and parks dedicated to nature in New Orleans. These attractions include: Audubon Park, Audubon Zoo, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Entergy IMAX ® Theatre, Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species, Audubon Wilderness Park, Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium and Audubon Nature Institute Foundation.