Education Events

These educational events are open to the public and are included with regular admission. Some events, like College and Career Day and the Zoo BioBlitz may have extra travel and ticket stipends available for Title 1 schools by contacting education@birminghamzoo.com

*Please scroll down to the bottom of the page to learn more details!

College and Career Day

March 13

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Zoo BioBlitz Day

April 5

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Alabama Bird Search – Youth Challenge

Key Dates

T-shirt Art Contest deadline: Deadline extended to March 15

Team registration deadline: March 15

Competition Window: April 12 – 20

Awards and Recognition Picnic: April 20 (11:00 a.m.)

Farm Day

April 20

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Endangered Species Day

May 18

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Animal Day Celebrations

Key Dates

World Giraffe Day: June 21

World Snake Day: July 16

World Lion Day: August 10

World Elephant Day: August 11

Primate Day: September 1

Spring Event Highlights:

College and Career Day

Recommended for middle school students, up.

Meet a variety of Zoo and conservation professionals and speak to expert representatives. Included in the day’s events are Human Resources and Zoo Staff Q/A Sessions, Keeper Chats, Education Activities, Animal Pop-Ups and Demonstrations, a Community Career Fair, and a Volunteering Q/A session.

Travel and ticket stipends are available on a limited basis for Title 1 schools interested in attending, by contacting the education department at education@birminghamzoo.com

Zoo BioBlitz Day

Join Zoo scientists for a day of real-world scientific exploration in the woods, streams, and skies. Learn about the vital conservation work happening across the state and right at your Birmingham Zoo, and how you can get involved. Included in the day’s events are Education Activities, Animal Pop-Ups and Demonstrations, a Volunteering Q/A session, and Community Science Stations where guests can try out some of the Zoo’s expert equipment for finding critters all around us.

Travel and ticket stipends are available on a limited basis for Title 1 schools interested in attending, by contacting the education department at education@birminghamzoo.com

Alabama Bird Search – Youth Challenge 2024

What is the Alabama Bird Search – Youth Challenge?

Birmingham Zoo is excited to announce the first annual Alabama Bird Search – Youth Challenge (ABS) and T-shirt Art Contest. During this state-wide, twenty-four-hour competitive birding event, youth teams ranging from prekindergarten through high school will compete against other teams in their age division for most species identified, among other categories, for prizes and recognition. There will also be a T-shirt art contest, with the grand prize-winning art featured on the event’s T-shirt next year. The event will end in a recognition and awards picnic at the zoo on April 20, 2024.

Why get involved?

Do you love birds, nature or being outside? Are you looking for a great excuse to spend time outdoors with the kids in your life? Do you want to pass your passion for birding on to the next generation? Through this state-wide competition, it is Birmingham Zoo’s goal to give Alabama’s youth the opportunity to learn about the state’s great biodiversity of native birds, get outside enjoying a new sport and spend time with friends and family in nature. It is the zoo’s mission to “inspire passion to conserve the natural world.” Together, with your help, we can raise the next generation of nature lovers and conservationists.

Key Dates

T-shirt Art Contest submission deadline: Deadline extended to March 15, 2024

Team registration deadline: March 15, 2024

Competition Window: April 12 – 20, 2024 (teams choose a contiguous 24-hour period during this time)

Awards and Recognition Picnic: 11:00 a.m., April 20, 2024, at Birmingham Zoo

I want to know more! What is the very first thing to do?

For a complete overview of the ABS Youth Challenge, including how to compete or get involved, please read the ABS Youth Challenge booklet below. This booklet contains detailed information for parents, teachers and other interested individuals on registration, rules, team training, volunteer team mentor information, birding resources, prize categories, the T-shirt art contest and more. When you are ready, please return here to register your team or register as a volunteer team mentor!

VIEW OR DOWNLOAD THE ABS COMPETITION BOOKLET HERE

ABS TEAMS AND VOLUNTEER TEAM MENTORS REGISTER HERE

For the ABS, Birmingham Zoo is proud to be partnering with Alabama Audubon, Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB), and Jefferson County Parks and Preserves: Ruffner Mountain, Red Mountain and Turkey Creek. Please visit our partners’ websites and follow social media for additional events, opportunities and information relating to the competition.