Habitat 52 Spring 2018

2 | March/April/May 2018 The Great Lakes hold more than 21 percent of the Earth’s accessible fresh water. In addition to being a beautiful and bountiful resource for tourism and recreation in Michigan, these freshwater “inland seas” serve as a major thoroughfare for transportation and trade. They are also home to a large number of aquatic species, many of which are threatened and endangered. As stewards of the environment, we feel a great responsibility to protect our Great Lakes and the wildlife that inhabit them. That is why the Detroit Zoological Society is moving forward with plans to develop the Great Lakes Nature Center in Macomb County, home to miles of shoreline on Lake St. Clair and the Clinton River. This exciting waterfront nature/science attraction will be home to Great Lakes fish, amphibians, turtles, small mammals, shorebirds and birds of prey – many of which will have been rescued and non-releasable, such as sandhill cranes – and will also feature a native butterfly garden. When it opens, the Great Lakes Nature Center will provide opportunities for birding, astronomy and citizen science, and will offer a unique gathering place for family fun and learning, educational programming, community engagement and recreation. Nearly 97 percent of the world’s water is salty or otherwise undrinkable and another 2 percent is locked in ice caps and glaciers. That leaves just 1 percent of the planet’s water available for drinking, cooking, bathing, watering our lawns and using in so many other ways. Fresh water is available in limited quantities so it is important to protect it. You may be surprised to learn that the average household uses 400 gallons of water a day! By simply reducing the amount of water we use, our supply will last longer. We invite you to join us on our Green Journey and conserve this vital resource at home. Take shorter showers. Shut water off while brushing your teeth. Run full loads of dishes and laundry. Check for leaky faucets and have them fixed. Choose water-efficient fixtures and appliances. Harvest rainwater to hydrate your plants instead of using a garden hose or sprinkler. Remember, all parts of our environment are connected – whatever we pour into the ground and expel into the sky ends up in our water. The Earth holds the same amount of water now as it did when the planet was formed, so the water from your faucet could be the same water dinosaurs drank! As you let that sink in, get ready for the return of Dinosauria to the Detroit Zoo this summer. The blockbuster attraction is the largest dinosaur exhibit of its kind in the country with more than 40 animatronic prehistoric creatures that snarl, move and spit! From the Director Ron Kagan Executive Director/CEO Detroit Zoological Society 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 © 2018 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 instagram.com/detroitzoo The Detroit Zoological Society – a renowned leader in humane education, wildlife conservation, animal welfare and environmental sustainability – operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center. Printed in the USA. The Detroit Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.