Conservation Ambassadors Board

Planning Events to Share Zoo Conservation Work

The Conservation Ambassadors Board (CAB) lets Chicago teens learn about Lincoln Park Zoo conservation projects and plan special events to share this work, developing leadership skills and zoo-career knowledge in the process! This nine-month program is open to students entering grades 9, 10, 11 and 12.

Participants will first learn about zoo conservation projects and then plan events designed to share these conservation topics with other Chicago teens and the general public. Subcommittees focus on tasks related to promotion, finance and event planning, or research and learning activities. Zoo educators will provide guidance and advice but will share decisions equally with the teen board members. The details of the events are up to you!

Program Goals

• Create new avenues for Chicago youth to learn about zoo conservation efforts.
• Provide opportunities for participants to discover personal strengths that support leadership development.
• Integrate youth as key decision-makers in disseminating zoo conservation messages.
• Establish a culture of collaboration and co-learning between zoo staff and youth.

Related Focuses: Teen Voices for Wildlife

How To Apply

The application for the 2018-2019 CAB program has closed.  Please check back in July for the 2019-2020 application.

Compensation and Time Commitment

Participants who meet the attendance requirements may be eligible to earn service hours.

Time commitment:
•    Two-day training on September 29 and September 30, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on both days
•    CAB planning meetings occur two Saturdays a month from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. There are no meetings over CPS winter break or spring break.
•    One extra zoo event, to be determined, approximately four hours. Examples include attending zoo exhibit openings, board meetings, or fundraising events to speak on behalf of the Conservation Ambassadors Board.

Board members must be available for all training, event, and meeting dates to be eligible for participation. Two absences may be accommodated in case of overlap with other extracurricular programs. These absences must be communicated in advance to program staff and CAB elected officials.

CAB EVENTS, 2017-2018

Polar Bear Express
Back Up the Bats

CAB EVENTS, 2016-17

Polar Paws
Bumblebee Effect

CAB Events, 2015-16

Chimps at Dusk
Urban Wildlife in the Urban Daylight