Habitat 37 Summer 2014

2 | June/July/August 2014 H ABITAT Celebrating and Saving Wildlife T h e M a g a z i n e o f t h e D e t r o i t Z o o l o g i c a l S o c i e t y Habitat is produced quarterly for Members of the Detroit Zoological Society. EDITED BY Graphinity, Inc. CONTRIBUTING WRITER Jennifer Thomas PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT ArborOakland Group GRAPHIC DESIGN Graphinity, Inc. Copyright © 2014 Detroit Zoological Society All rights reserved. PLEASE CONTACT: Detroit Zoological Society 8450 W. 10 Mile Road Royal Oak, MI 48067 Phone: (248) 541-5717 Fax: (248) 541-2489 www.detroitzoo.org For questions about membership, please contact: info@dzs.org. facebook.com/detroitzoo youtube.com/detroitzoo twitter.com/detroitzoo The Detroit Zoological Society is a non-profit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo. Printed in the USA. The Detroit Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In the spring 2010 edition of Habitat , you read about 8-year- old Ethan Webster, who spotted an architect’s rendering of the proposed new habitat for the Detroit Zoo’s lions in a previous issue. He was inspired to empty his piggy bank and donate the contents to help give our lions a new home. Two years later in this publication, you met Michael Priebe, also 8, who asked his friends for donations to the Zoo in lieu of birthday gifts. Now comes 10-year-old Griffin Bloch (pictured here with his 5-year-old twin siblings, Grace and Gavin, and Detroit Zoological Society COO Gerry VanAcker), who recently donated the cash gifts from his birthday party to help the Zoo. According to his parents, Amy and Todd, Griffin is very passionate about animals and their welfare, and hopes to someday turn that interest into a career. Kids like Ethan, Michael and Griffin have probably learned about giving back through the example set by their parents. It goes to show that it’s never too early to share your own experiences with philanthropy and talk to your children about where and why you give. Whether it’s the Detroit Zoo or another worthy cause, the key is to recognize a child’s passion, as Griffin’s parents have. You can help your kids research various charitable causes and show them how to check out the legitimacy of organizations they’re interested in supporting. For instance, the Detroit Zoological Society has earned the highest possible ratings from both Charity Navigator (four stars) and GuideStar (gold) for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. That means your youngsters can invest their hard-earned allowance or birthday cash with confidence, knowing that we will be good stewards of their philanthropy. A visit to the Detroit Zoo with your children might spark an interest in donating to a particular project, such as the future wolf habitat or Polk Penguin Conservation Center. Subsequent visits while the project is in progress – and once it’s completed – will allow them to see how their contributions are being spent. Acknowledging and celebrating their commitment to philanthropy will likely reinforce in them the good feeling of giving. It is our practice to acknowledge every gift we receive, large or small, whether from a child or an adult, a corporation or a foundation. However, not all donors want to be publicly recognized, and evidently that can begin at an early age as well. Last year, a group of young girls decided all on their own to raise money for our giraffe enrichment program and donated $200 to the Zoo. They did not want any special attention or recognition. And, they are back this year with more donations. Big thanks to Ethan, Michael, Griffin, the “anonymous” girls and other young philanthropists – and to parents who serve as great role models – for sharing your treasure with us. From the Chairman Gail Warden Chairman, Detroit Zoological Society