What:            

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is hosting the free event “Enrichment Day.”

When:            

Saturday, Sept. 16
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where:          

Smithsonian’s National Zoo

3001 Connecticut Ave. N.W.

At this year’s Enrichment Day celebration, visitors can learn how keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute enhance the well-being of the animals in their care by presenting them with various enrichment items and activities. Animal keepers will host talks and demonstrations highlighting the many ways in which animals are given a safe and creative outlet to demonstrate their natural behaviors. Fun activities will give visitors an opportunity to learn more about how enrichment and training is an integral part of how the Zoo cares for 1,800 animals across 300 species every day. For more information, visit the Zoo’s website.

What:            

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is hosting the free event “ZooFiesta.”

When:            

Sunday, Sept. 24
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where:          

Smithsonian’s National Zoo

3001 Connecticut Ave. N.W.

Visitors to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are invited to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at “ZooFiesta: Un día de diversión animal para toda la familia,” a free, family-friendly event. Animal keepers will host talks, feedings and demonstrations highlighting a variety of animals native to the region, including Andean bears, sloths, golden lion tamarins, Panamanian golden frogs and more. Visitors have an opportunity to meet Zoo scientists who are working to save native species and learn about their research. This event will be held rain or shine and offers live music, authentic gourmet cuisine and educational activities about animal conservation. For more information, visit the Zoo’s website.

What:            

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute is hosting “Conservation Discovery Day.”

When:            

Saturday, Oct. 7
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where:          

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

1500 Remount Road

Front Royal, Va. 22630

Designed for sixth-graders to under-grads, Conservation Discovery Day at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute includes hands-on activities, research demonstrations and mini-chats on hot topics in conservation. Career panel discussions with conservation biologists, field ecologists, research scientists, veterinarians and animal keepers will open doors and minds to the professional possibilities within the conservation field. This is the one day this one-of-a-kind research facility located in scenic Front Royal, Virginia, is open to the public. This event will be held rain or shine. There are no individual tickets for Conservation Discovery Day attendance.  Car or bus passes are available for purchase. For more information, visit the Zoo’s website.