The Minnesota Zoo works hard every day to connect people, animals and the natural world to save wildlife. But we can’t do it all on our own. The Zoo has many incredible partners around the world to help us ensure a bright future for amazing species and the spaces they call home. Recently, the Minnesota Zoo has partnered with the National Football League, Verizon and the Minnesota Super Bowl LII Host Committee on a couple upcoming projects – a new Pollinator Garden in the Zoo’s Tiger parking lot and a Super Bowl E-Waste Recycling Rally on Saturday, October 7 (from 9 am – 1 pm) at the Minnesota Zoo’s East parking lot.

Thanks to a grant from the NFL, Verizon, Andersen Corporation and the Minnesota Super Bowl LII Host Committee, a NEW Pollinator Garden display is being developed by the Minnesota Zoo’s horticulture team to help highlight and support several native plant species that are crucial to the survival of local pollinators like bees, butterflies and birds. Pollinators help produce approximately every one in three bites of the food that is consumed around the world. This new display will serve as a teaching tool for Zoo guests, and also provide important food and shelter for native prairie species. Learn more about how you can Plant for Pollinators in your own backyard!

Join us for a Super Bowl E-Waste Recycling Rally. Area residents and organizations can help with the “greening of Super Bowl LII” by bringing their E-Waste to this event, sponsored by Verizon. The Recycling Rally is open to the public and free of charge. Local residents may drop off all types of electronic waste to be recycled responsibly and kept out of local landfills. Items such as computers, printers, monitors, cell phones and televisions will be accepted. (Large appliances such as refrigerators will not be accepted.) The first 250 families bringing in items will receive a gift bag and a voucher for free parking at the zoo’s HallZooWeen celebration. Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders and mascot, Viktor, will be on-hand during morning hours to greet participants. The Recycling Rally takes place outside the Zoo’s East entrance. It’s not necessary to enter the Zoo to participate. Simply drive up and volunteers will be ready to help unload.

The Minnesota Zoo is one of the largest wildlife conservation organizations in the state of Minnesota and we work tirelessly to save wildlife around the world. Encouraging our community to recycle their E-Waste responsibly is an important way that we can all help protect the natural environments of so many species. Working with amazing partners like the NFL, Verizon and the Minnesota Super Bowl LII Host Committee helps us make an even bigger impact.

The NFL has incorporated environmental projects into the management of Super Bowl for 25 years and we are really excited they are working with the Minnesota Zoo in the Apple Valley community this year.