Volunteer Newsletter 7/11/2025 | View in browser
Friday, July 11, 2025
Hi! My name is Gracie, and I am the new Volunteer Engagement Assistant. I grew up in Papillion and naturally fell in love with the zoo, which makes me so ecstatic to start my position here working in Volunteer Services with Evy and all of the incredible volunteers we get the pleasure of having!
Gracie is bringing great energy and enthusiasm to her role, where she’s helping to improve capacity and consistency across our volunteer programs. She supports both volunteers and staff in using Get Connected, our volunteer management software. Gracie is now well-prepared to help with most day-to-day questions about using Get Connected, such as updating your profile, setting up your schedule, or navigating the system. She’s doing a fantastic job assisting in the office and is here to help make the volunteer experience enjoyable.
Please keep in mind that while Gracie is a key part of our communication and coordination efforts, she is not involved in program decision-making or volunteer assignments. For questions about programming, roles, or policy, please continue to reach out to the Volunteer Services manager, coordinator, or director.
Need help with your schedule or using Get Connected? Reach out to Gracie at gracie.battreall@omahazoo.com to set up a time.
We’re so glad to have her on board—thanks for helping make her feel welcome!
This weekend the Zoo looks forward to joining Omaha's Heartland Pride Festival at the CHI Health Center in downtown Omaha for the first time as a supporter and exhibitor. Members of our Education Team, Guest Experience Team, and Culture of Belonging Committee will represent our organization at booth #3 on Friday, July 11, 5-10 p.m. and Saturday, July 12, noon-5 p.m. We join more than 200 other organizations and vendors to reaffirm our commitment to being a welcoming place to all. Our goal is to show our support for members of the LGTBQIA+ community and engage with people! Our booth will feature friendly faces from the Zoo and an activity from our Education team, and we will raffle a membership giveaway. If you are attending, please stop by to see us!
AZA Volunteer and Intern Virtual Symposium
Join the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for an inspiring afternoon of connection and collaboration at the AZA Volunteer and Intern Virtual Symposium. This year’s theme, Together for Tomorrow: Partnerships in Conservation, highlights the vital role that volunteers, interns, and institutions play in shaping a sustainable future for wildlife and wild places. Hear from passionate guest speakers representing zoos and aquariums across the AZA network as they share stories of impactful partnerships, innovative conservation efforts, and the power of community engagement. Whether you're a current volunteer, intern, or aspiring conservationist, this symposium offers valuable insights and inspiration to fuel your journey in wildlife conservation. Let’s come together to celebrate our shared mission—and build a better tomorrow, together.
From Dakota Engelhart, Integrated Pest Management Specialist:
As we continue with the summer season, I wanted to send a reminder on best practices when encountering native Nebraskan wildlife on Zoo grounds.
If native Nebraska wildlife is seen on grounds, and appears to be in distress or in contact with guests or Zoo animals, please follow the following procedures:
- Locate staff with a radio in the area and describe the situation. If you cannot find a staff nearby, call Security (402) 676-2680.
- Don’t approach the animal or attempt to move or touch the animal in any way.
- If possible, keep eyes on the animal until the contacted party arrives.
- Keep guests clear of the area, and inform them a trained professional is coming to assist.
Thank you for your help in keeping our guests, animals and native wildlife safe!
Charles Schwab Team Makes a Big Impact at the Zoo
We were thrilled to welcome a group of 30+ enthusiastic volunteers from Charles Schwab who spent a morning giving back to the zoo in a big way! Their teams rolled up their sleeves and tackled a variety of projects—from prepping animal enrichment materials to assisting with behind-the-scenes support at the hay barn that helps keep the zoo running smoothly.
Not only did their energy and teamwork make a tangible difference across the grounds, but their positive attitude also left a lasting impression on our staff. It’s amazing what can be accomplished when passionate people come together to support wildlife and conservation!
A huge thank-you to Charles Schwab for choosing to spend their day with us. We’re grateful for your time, effort, and commitment to making the zoo a better place for animals and visitors alike.
Volunteer Supports Beetle Release in the Field
Debbie DeLong, one of our dedicated docents, had the unique opportunity this past spring to assist staff with a Salt Creek Tiger beetle release as part of our conservation efforts. Accompanying the team into the field, Debbie helped carefully transport and release the beetles into their natural habitat—an important step in supporting this species' recovery and ecological role. Seventy-five beetles were released from our zoo, contributing to a total of over 170 beetles. For this effort, the zoo partnered with Nebraska Games and Parks, Topeka Zoo, Lincoln's Children's Zoo, and University of Nebraska Lincoln.
Volunteers contribute not only within the zoo but also beyond our gates, playing a part in real-world conservation impact. Thank you for lending your time and care to this special project!
From Dr. Sarah Chaney, Director of Animal Health:
Team,
I’m excited to officially join the Zoo and Safari Park full time as Director of Animal Health. It has been a privilege to work alongside many of you over the past year in a relief capacity, and I’m looking forward to building even stronger connections as we continue delivering exceptional care to the animals who rely on us.
The collaboration, dedication, and expertise across this organization is truly inspiring. I’m grateful to be part of a team so committed to advancing animal health and conservation science, and I look forward to supporting the important work ahead.
Warmly,
Dr. Sarah
From Bailey Klinkhammer, Social Media & Content Specialist:
Hello, team!
I’m excited to join the Zoo and Safari Park’s Marketing Team as the Social Media and Content Specialist to oversee all things social media. I’m from Clinton, Iowa (the nose of MIMAL) and graduated with my degree in Digital Media Communications: Journalism from the University of Northern Iowa (go Panthers!) this past May. I have an immense passion for storytelling, and I can’t wait to help tell the stories of conservation and service that happen every day here. I look forward to meeting you and sharing your stories!
Can’t wait to talk soon,
Bailey
In an exciting milestone three decades in the making, our Bird crew welcomed American flamingo chicks for the first time in 30 years! The last flamingo chick to hatch at our Zoo was in 1988. This incredible accomplishment was made possible by our animal care team’s direct collaboration with the horticulture team to recreate an ideal nest building area where the birds could build their mud nests, lay, and hatch the eggs. So far, we have welcomed three chicks, and we eagerly anticipate the hatching of two more eggs over the coming weeks. All parents are currently providing excellent care to their chicks, who stay in the nest for the first few weeks. At about three months, the rapidly growing and well-fed chicks will match the size of their parents, but will not develop the iconic pink feathering until next season. This successful effort highlights some of the best characteristics our team, in displaying their commitment to care, innovation, and collaboration. Great work, Bird crew!
Last year, our Wildlife Safari Park team sent two park-hatched trumpeter swans to a pre-release conditioning facility be part of a species restoration effort in Oregon. The Rocky Mountain Swan Project was initiated in the 1990s, and we are proud to be partners in restoring the wild trumpeter swan population. Since 2009, the project has successfully grown the population to 200 birds. As the 2024 birds were ready for relocation and release in Oregon following the acclimation period, Wildlife Safari Park team member Katie Terrazas, traveled to be a part of the release effort. A large-scale state survey is planned for September 2025 to monitor the released swans. The two male swans from the Wildlife Safari Park were banded with identifiers and released at separate sites. This year, we have hatched two additional cygnets for eventual release as part of this restoration program. Our teams are making real-word conversation impacts in the restoration of species and showing how we care for animals here and in the wild. Well done, Katie and Safari Park team!
Q & A
Where are single stall bathrooms located around the zoo?
Family bathrooms at the zoo can be found at: the front entrance, the Lozier Theater, Aquarium Conference Center, Tusker Grill, Game Management Headquarters, Stingray Beach, Asian Highlands, Glacier Bay Landing, and Children's Adventure Trails.
Can you put an event calendar in the newsletter?
While we'll continue to highlight select upcoming events in the volunteer newsletter, please remember that the complete list of volunteer events will always be available on the Get Connected website: www.omahazoovolunteers.com
This helps ensure we have a single, consistent, and reliable source for the most current volunteer opportunities, one that's easy for both volunteers and staff to access. Unlike emails or newsletters, which can be missed, filtered, or buried in your inbox, the website is always just a click away. Be sure to bookmark it and check back regularly!
Have a question? We would like to hear from you, and we're here to help! Please submit your questions, and we'll work to get you the answers.
Quick Links
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Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium | 3701 S. 10th Street Omaha, NE 68107