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ProgramsPrograms Learn at the Zoo with spring and summer camps, or bring the Zoo to you in your home or classroom!
- Field Trips Come explore wildlife in nature's own classroom
- Zoo Camps Year-round camps for spring, summer, fall and winter breaks
- Zoo Krewe Volunteer program for teens, with hands-on training
- Safari Night Learn about the Zoo's animals on an overnight adventure
- Zoo & Me Morning Animal encounters and art projects for 3 to 5 year-olds
- Zoo Mobile Bring the Zoo to your classroom with educational visits
- Project Ark STEM education programs for EBR school grades 1-5
- Virtual Programs Educational videos and resources for offsite learning
- Educator's Guide
- Silent Auction Requests For qualifying non-profit organizations
- Support
Support Get involved with the Baton Rouge Zoo Foundation by supporting the Zoo's major events, wildlife conservation efforts, volunteering, and more.- Baton Rouge Zoo Foundation 501(c)3 non-profit supporting the Zoo's major events
- Donate Make an immediate impact on the Zoo with a tax-deductible gift
- Wish List Purchase toys, treats and other fun items for animals
- Volunteering Fun, challenging, and rewarding opportunities
- Conservation Efforts Learn about the Zoo's conservation efforts and how you can help
- Sponsorship Current sponsor opportunities for the Zoo's programs & events
- Adopt an Animal Support BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo by "adopting an animal" at the zoo!
- Win an Animal Encounter - Sponsored by WAFB The Zoo is growing its krewe! We’re looking to welcome exciting new animals, and we can’t do it without your support.
- About
Today's Hours 9:30am–5:00pm (Last Entry 4:00pm)
Sep 10, 2025
Have you seen what is buzzing at our pollinator garden?
The migration has begun! Monarch butterflies are making their incredible journey south, and right here at BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo, we’re proud to provide a safe stopover with our Pollinator Garden—funded by the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area and lovingly grown by our Bird Department.
Why Pollinators Matter
Pollinators like bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and moths play a critical role in our environment. In fact, 75% of plants and food crops rely on pollinators to thrive. Without them, ecosystems—and our food supply—would collapse.
Monarch Migration Marvel
Each fall, monarch butterflies embark on one of nature’s most extraordinary journeys—traveling up to 3,000 miles to reach their overwintering grounds in Mexico. It’s a migration unlike any other, and Baton Rouge sits right along their flight path. Keep an eye on the skies—you might just spot them fluttering through!
Conservation Crisis
Sadly, monarch butterfly populations have plummeted by more than 80% in recent decades. Habitat loss, climate change, and widespread pesticide use have put these delicate travelers at serious risk.
Pollinator Gardens: A Safe Haven
That’s where pollinator gardens come in. These vibrant spaces provide nectar-rich flowers, shelter, and most importantly, milkweed, the only plant where monarchs will lay their eggs. Our Pollinator Garden is not only beautiful, but it’s also a lifeline for pollinators passing through our area.
Baton Rouge Zoo’s Role
The Zoo is proud to support the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) Monarch Program. By planting and protecting pollinator habitats, we’re joining zoos nationwide in the fight to save these vital species from extinction.
How You Can Help
You can make a difference right in your own backyard!
Plant native flowers like milkweed, coneflowers, and lantana.
Avoid pesticides, which harm both pollinators and the plants they depend on.
Support conservation organizations that protect pollinator species.
Together, small steps make a big impact. When you visit the Zoo, take a stroll through our Pollinator Garden—it’s buzzing with life and purpose. And as the monarchs make their epic journey, remember that you, too, can help keep their wings in the sky for generations to come.