NEW ORLEANS (press release) – On Monday, April 25, volunteers from Hancock Whitney planted a pollinator garden at Audubon Zoo to help protect pollinators and inspire Zoo visitors to continue doing a world of good for nature and wildlife. This year’s Hancock Whitney Zoo-To-Do and Zoo-To-Do for Kids presented by Children’s Hospital New Orleans events will celebrate Audubon’s conservation efforts for pollinators, the group of insects, mammals, and birds on which the future of life on Earth depends.
The 44th annual Hancock Whitney Zoo-To-Do will be Friday, May 6, and the 33rd annual Zoo-To-Do for Kids presented by Children’s Hospital New Orleans will be Friday, April 29. Tickets to both events are available for purchase by visiting https://events.audubonnatureinstitute.org/ztd/
“Our hope is that this pollinator garden will inspire our visitors to make a positive impact on nature and wildlife,” said Audubon Nature Institute President and CEO Ron Forman. “Audubon educates millions of people annually about pollinators’ importance to our global ecosystem and how each of us can help them. Your support of our Zoo-To-Do events will help safeguard the future of these vital species.”
Vital to our environment’s health, pollinator species pollinate over 90% of the planet’s flowering plants and one third of the human diet. While many people think of bees as the only pollinators, beetles, butterflies, birds, bats, and other small mammals are also in this category. Pollinators can be very diverse, but many populations are declining due to habitat loss from urban development, pollution, chemical misuse, and climate change. With these threats, pollinators are losing the food and nesting sites critical for their survival.
“Hancock Whitney is proud to partner with the Audubon Nature Institute on species conservation,” said Hancock Whitney Senior Vice President Liz Hefler. “Our team members are honored to join in planting more pollinator gardens at Audubon as part of our commitment to New Orleans and the surrounding region.”
Sponsor and Patron admission for Hancock Whitney Zoo-To-Do begins at 7 p.m., general admission begins at 8 p.m., and the party goes until 11 p.m. Hancock Whitney is once again the Title Sponsor for the adults-only fundraiser that features delectable cuisine and premium cocktails from local restaurants and bars as well as Audubon Catering. Party band The Phunky Monkeys are the Headline Entertainers with Where Y’acht opening. Other performers include Alexey Marti Quartet at Cooper Plaza and Tin Men at the gala entrance.
The 33rd annual Zoo-To-Do for Kids presented by Children’s Hospital New Orleans will take place on April 29 with VIP and early admission starting at 5 p.m. and general admission starting at 6 p.m. Live entertainment will be provided by Super Stars Events and Promotions, and guests will enjoy tasty sips and snacks, arcade games, giant inflatables, and arts and crafts. The event ends at 9 p.m.
The plants planted in the pollinator garden are from Audubon’s Park Partner New Orleans City Park’s Pelican Greenhouse.
