Conservation Days at the Salisbury Zoo
Conservation Days at the Zoo are free, Saturday celebrations that highlight the incredible animals who call our zoo home and the conservation efforts that help protect them. Each Conservation Day is unique, focusing on either a SAFE program we participate in or a special animal we want to spotlight. Guests can enjoy keeper talks, special enrichment, educational presentations, hands-on games, crafts, and more, while also having the opportunity to support conservation by donating directly to the featured animal program and helping protect these species in the wild.
Backyard Bird Count February 13th-16th
The Great Backyard Bird Count is a global community science project that invites people of all ages to help scientists learn more about bird populations around the world. By spending just 15 minutes or more observing birds and reporting what you see or hear, participants contribute valuable data used to support bird conservation. This year we will not be hosting an on-site event at the zoo. Instead, we’ll be sharing resources, tips, and tools to help you safely participate from home or in your neighborhood, making it easy to join in and support birds right from your own backyard.
Check out Our Resources Here!
Download Backyard Bird Count Bingo
Outside Links:
Learn More on Backyard Bird Count
Current Field Checklist for Wicomico County
3/14 Ocelot SAFE Day
SAFE Ocelot’s main goals are to provide its field partners in Texas with the necessary resources to propagate, rewild and reintroduce ocelots into historically occupied natural habitat on Texas ranchlands and help educate Texans in local communities about the Texas ocelot recovery program to raise awareness and engender support for continued ocelot conservation.
Join us on March 14th, 2026, at the Salisbury Zoo as we celebrate Ocelot SAFE Day and our resident ocelot, Dale! Dale joined us about a year ago through a recommendation from the SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) program after our previous ocelot, Anahi, moved to a new facility for breeding—where she recently welcomed a baby. Collaborations like this play a vital role in helping ocelots thrive and work toward reestablishing populations in the wild. The day will feature ocelot training demonstrations, educational talks, a basket raffle, and family-friendly games from 10 AM–2 PM. Come out to learn, have fun, and support ocelot conservation!
Check out Our Resources Here!
Outside Links:
Learn More About AZA SAFE Programs
Learn More About Ocelot Reintroduction in Texas
AZA SAFE Ocelot Program Action Plan
5/2 Monarch SAFE Day
Monarch SAFE’s main goals are to support habitat restoration across North America by increasing milkweed and nectar plant availability, advancing conservation research, and engaging communities in actions that benefit monarch butterflies. The program works with partners to create and connect monarch habitats while inspiring the public to take part in pollinator conservation efforts.
Join us at the Salisbury Zoo as we celebrate Monarch SAFE Day! This special event highlights our commitment to protecting monarch butterflies and the vital role they play in healthy ecosystems. As part of our ongoing efforts, we are enhancing our pollinator gardens through Monarch SAFE initiatives and expanding conservation education in our community. The day will feature educational talks, interactive activities, a raffle, and family-friendly games from 11 AM–2 PM. Come out to learn how you can help monarchs and other pollinators thrive!
Check Out Our Resources Here
See the Schedule Here
Outside Links:
5/9 Amphibian Week
Amphibian Week is an annual celebration held during the first full week of May, dedicated to raising awareness about amphibians and the importance of their conservation. Established
in 2020 by Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) and its partners, the week highlights the vital role amphibians—such as frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians—play in healthy ecosystems. These species help control insect populations, provide a food source for other wildlife, and serve as important indicators of environmental health due to their sensitivity to pollution, disease, and habitat changes. With nearly one-t
hird of amphibian species at risk of extinction, Amphibian Week emphasizes the urgent need for conservation efforts and encourages the public to learn more about and protect these remarkable animals.
Join us for a special Sensory-Friendly Night at the Zoo as part of Amphibian Week! Taking place Friday, May 8th from 5–7 PM, this after-hours event invites guests of all ages to explore the fascinating world of amphibians in a welcoming and inclusive environment. The evening will feature animal presentations, activities, and games designed with sensory-friendly modifications to ensure a comfortable experience for all participants. While the event is thoughtfully tailored for individuals with sensory sensitivities, everyone is welcome to attend and enjoy learning about these incredible animals in a relaxed setting. This event is done in partnership with Salisbury University Psychology Department.
Sensory Friendly Family Night: All About Amphibians
Outside Links:
Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
National Parks Service Amphibian Week
6/20 Pollinator Week
Pollinator Week is an annual celebration dedicated to raising awareness about the vital role pollinators play in supporting healthy ecosystems, agriculture, and biodiversity. Observed each June, Pollinator Week highlights the importance of protecting bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, birds, bats, and other pollinating species that help plants reproduce and provide many of the fruits, vegetables, and flowers we enjoy. In Salisbury, Maryland, residents can find a variety of native pollinators, including eastern bumble bees, carpenter bees, sweat bees, monarch and swallowtail butterflies, hummingbirds, and numerous moth species. These pollinators depend on native plants, trees, and natural habitats for food and shelter. By planting pollinator-friendly gardens, reducing pesticide use, and preserving natural spaces, our community can help support these essential species and ensure a healthy environment for future generations.
Through a partnership with Shore Blooms, the zoo has expanded its commitment to conservation by establishing new pollinator gardens throughout the property. These thoughtfully designed garden spaces feature a variety of native flowering plants that provide essential nectar, pollen, and habitat for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinating species found on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. By creating these pollinator-friendly areas across the zoo grounds, visitors can observe pollinators in action while learning about their importance to healthy ecosystems and food production. The gardens not only enhance the beauty of the zoo but also serve as living examples of how communities can support local wildlife through habitat restoration and sustainable landscaping practices.
Outside Links:
Register Your Pollinator Garden
Maryland DNR: What’s The Buzz?
University of Maryland Extension- Native Plant Guides
8/1 Owl Awareness Day
Owls are some of the world’s most recognizable birds of prey, playing an essential role in healthy ecosystems by helping control rodent and insect populations. Unfortunately, many owl species face challenges such as habitat loss, vehicle collisions, rodenticide poisoning, and human disturbance. By learning about these incredible birds and taking simple conservation actions, we can help ensure owls continue to thrive in the wild.
Join us on Saturday, August 1st, 2026, at the Salisbury Zoo as we celebrate Owl Awareness Day! Meet our education owls and learn about the unique adaptations that make these nocturnal hunters so successful. Throughout the day, guests can enjoy owl enrichment demonstrations, keeper chats, educational activities, family-friendly games, and hands-on learning opportunities from 10:00 AM–2:00 PM. Discover how you can help protect native owl species by preserving habitat, reducing the use of rodenticides, and supporting wildlife conservation in your own community.
Come celebrate these amazing birds, have fun with the whole family, and learn how small actions can make a big difference for owl conservation!
Outside Links:
American Eagle Foundation- Owl Awareness Day
List of Wildlife Rehabilitators for Owls