Questions? Email us at nycaazk@gmail.com or contact an officer or facility liaison.

Meeting Minutes: September 2018

NYC AAZK Meeting Minutes

Prospect Park Zoo - September 4, 2018

Prospect Park Zoo Keeper Presentation Night
- Thank you to the Prospect Park Keeper staff, especially
  Sarah Parker who helped spearhead the event!
- Four presentations were given which included topics on
  training zebu, calitrichid management, dingo introductions
  techniques, and an outline of an insect diversity study at PPZ.
- We were also shown the PPZ big headed turtle propagation area
  as well as how the insect studies are conducted.
- 20 keepers attended, included 5 from the Bronx (representing
  the Mammal, Bird and Special Animal Exhibit departments),
  3 keepers from Central Park Zoo, and 2 keepers and a vet
  tech from Queens Zoo.
- This was the first AAZK event at PPZ. This was also the first year
  that NYC AAZK has hosted events at all 5 WCS parks in one year
- We would love to continue to rotate events around between the
  different parks to help WCS keepers network and share knowledge
  with each other. Any ideas for future events would be greatly appreciated!

AAZK ideas:
- Mo from Queens: Howling for Howlers karaoke fundraiser,
  Archery for Andeans (Andean bear fundraiser)
- Mo is also trying to get Dr. Cohen, a vet who specializes in
  compassion fatigue to speak at an AAZK meeting.
- Mo also found a roller rink on Long Island that is giving away
  the chance to host a fundraiser there. We are looking into it
- Mo also has a contact that works with the Turtle Survival Alliance
  that might come talk to our AAZK chapter about opportunities to
  receive grants to do field work.
- John from Central Park would like to look into hosting a Pints for Penguins
  event, and also explore if there is a central meeting area for events
  that are convenient to the different WCS parks.
- As always, NYC AAZK wants to hear your ideas! Want to host an event,
  organize a group clean up or fundraiser, let us know and we can help
  you facilitate the event! We would love to have keepers from around the
  different WCS parks participate and organize events around the city.

Upcoming AAZK Events:

Women's Leadership Meeting
  - Tuesday September 18th, Bronx Zoo
  - The WCS Women's Leadership Group wants to hear from WCS female keeper
    staff about their thoughts & opinions on what its like to work for WCS, and to have
    keeper voices included in the ongoing Women's Leadership discussions.
  - The meeting will be held at the Bronx Zoo. If anyone from the other parks
    would like to participate, let us know and we will figure out a way to get
    you involved in the meeting.

3rd Annual Croctoberfest
 - Date to be announced, Gun Hill Brewery
 - Looking into getting beer glasses & possibly T-shirts this year
 - Supports WCS Crocodilian conservation projects

Alamo Drafthouse Night
  - November date to be announced
  - We will be renting out a 25 seat theater at the Alamo in Yonkers and
    watching a newly released film.

Dr. Conway lecture
  - Date to be announced
  - He will be discussing his long and influential history with WCS

December AAZK Election:
- Interested in getting more involved in shaping NYC AAZK?
  We are always looking for eager, enthusiastic people to join the
  exec team! If you have any questions about any of the positions, please let
  us know. 

Meeting Minutes: August 2018

New York Aquarium: 8/24/2018 

National Zoo Keeper Week:
- Thank you to all who gave keeper chats throughout the week
- Several keepers also wrote Wild View Blogs, and zoo keeper
  related blogs for the WCS blog site
- We made $1300 from our silent auction, which helps to cover
  chapter expenses, and can be utilized for future travel grants 

Queens Bat Walk:
- Special thanks to Colleen McCann, Mike Wrubel and Craig Gibbs
  for taking us around the Queens Zoo for a bat survey
- 12 AAZK members attended the bat walk 
- There was a ton of great bat activity, and a special bat detector app
  allowed us to identity each species, see the sound waves for each
  call, and hear the calls as well

Bowling for Rhinos:
- We made over $3500 and had 85 people were in attendance!
- The variety of events was a big hit, especially laser tag
- Thank you to Lauren Del Grosso organizing the event!
- Next year we will strive to have optional timed events so that there are
  group laser tag, ping pong, bowling sessions, etc
- Any other suggestions on how we can improve the event for next year
  would be greatly appreciated. 

New York Aquarium Night:
- Special thanks to the New York Aquarium staff, especially our tour guide
  Cris Silva for providing us with a behind the scenes tour of Ocean Wonders!
- 15 AAZK members attended the event, including representatives from
  the Bronx, Central Park and Queens Zoos. 

Bee Garden;
- Lauren Del Grosso would like to propose setting up a bee garden near
  the dump at the Bronx Zoo to attract bees, and help them as they
  continue to suffer from continued colony collapses

Upcoming AAZK Events:
Prospect Park Zoo Presentation Night
  - Tuesday September 4, 2018
  - PPZ keepers will be presenting about training, enrichment and will 
    give us the latest updates from PPZ
  - Pizza will be served

Women's Leadership Group Meeting
  - Date TBD in September
  - The WCS Women's Leadership Group is partnering with NYC AAZK
     and would like to hear from WCS female keepers about their views of
     working for WCS

3rd Annual Croctoberfest
  - Date TBD in October
  - Come out to to Gunhill Brewery to support WCS's crocodilian
    conservation efforts!

3rd Annual Alamo Drafthouse Night
 - November, after the switch over to winter hours
 - We will be renting out a private 25 seat theater at the Alamo
   Drafthouse in Yonkers to watch a newly released film

As always, and thoughts, or suggestions for future events would be
greatly appreciated! Want to host a fundraiser, organize a volunteer outing
or simply get more involved in AAZK? We will help facilitate any events
and ideas that are brought forward!