Greenville Zoo docent Kathleen Fertitta gave a short presentation at Monday evening’s City Council Meeting about funds “accidentally” raised at a national convention recently held at the Greenville Zoo.
“We would like this money to go towards our Greenville Zoo’s Conservation Fund.” Fertitta said at the meeting. “This money is an extension of our effort to educate, and to protect, our wild world.”
The national Association of Zoos and Aquariums Docent and Volunteer Conference was organized and held by the zoo’s docents, volunteers who serve to teach visitors about the animals and related topics, in September of this year.
Education Curator Lynn Watkins said the funds came from things like raffles, a silent auction and other items sold at the convention meant to cover the costs of the event.
However, some of the expected expenses weren’t as significant as anticipated, and the result was an overage of $6,000.
“Generally they don't try to profit off of these conferences. They try to net zero,” Watkins said. “And they anticipated some expenses that didn't really occur, so they wanted to make sure that the funds -- the overage does go to an extension of their efforts at the zoo, which is educating the public on the endangerment on the wildlife and to create empathy towards the wildlife.”
During the City Council meeting, the fireworks ordinance discussed and amended in the meeting two weeks ago was officially passed Monday night.
This ordinance will regulate the use of fireworks and similar explosives in the city. Council members said this was meant to protect veterans and animals.
This ordinance will ban the use of fireworks after 10 p.m., or 12:30 a.m. on Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve holidays.
