Iconic tower lights to display green on Thursday, May 28, in honor of significant anniversary

WCS’s conservation programs are in nearly 60 countries and all of the world’s oceans

120 Years: A Conservation Legacy: http://www.wcs.org/files/pdfs/wcs-historical-timeline.pdf

Register at www.NYisWild.com and post photos of 120 ways NY is wild using #NYisWild to win prizes including a trip to Belize

Green Empire State Building is the wildcard 120th way NY is Wild

New York – May 28, 2015 – On Thursday, May 28, the Empire State Building’s world-famous tower lights will shine in green to commemorate the 120th anniversary of WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society).

WCS, with its headquarters based at the Bronx Zoo, was founded on April 26, 1895.  The organization operates the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and the New York Aquarium, and conducts field conservation programs in nearly 60 nations and in all the world's oceans.

 

Since the founding of WCS 120 years ago, WCS has grown into one of the world’s leading conservation organizations. For 12 decades, WCS has harnessed the expertise in its zoos and aquarium in New York City with its global field conservation programs to save wildlife and wild places.

 

WCS recently published a decade-by-decade historical timeline detailing key milestones in its conservation history. The timeline, 120 Years: A Conservation Legacy, can be downloaded at http://www.wcs.org/files/pdfs/wcs-historical-timeline.pdf

 

As part of the 120-year celebration, WCS launched a city-wide social media photo safari. Through Sept.7, participants can register at www.NYisWild.com and embark on the city-wide adventure by tagging qualifying photos of the 120 ways NY is wild with the corresponding number and the hashtag #NYisWild. (Example: Empire State Building goes green for WCS #NYisWild #120.)

 

Participating adventurers who register and tag 10 of the 120 photo tasks will be automatically entered to win a trip to Belize where WCS works to protect one of the most biologically diverse reefs in the world. Additionally, one of these grand prize trips will be awarded to a professional educator to emphasize the educational importance and focus of the WCS operated zoos and aquarium.

 

Other prizes for participation in the 120 Ways NY is Wild photo adventure include: a WCS premium family membership to all five parks (Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and Queens Zoo); a whale watching tour for with WCS scientists; a season pass for National Geographic Live; an opportunity to become a sea lion keeper for a day at WCS’s New York Aquarium; and a weekend getaway in the Adirondacks with WCS conservationists.

 

Contest rules and restrictions do apply. Visit www.NYisWild.com for more information and register.


The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays, 5:30 p.m. weekends from April to October; 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m November to March. Adult admission is $19.95, children (3-12 years old) $12.95, children under 3 are free, seniors (65+) are $17.95. Parking is $15 for cars and $18 for buses. The Bronx Zoo is conveniently located off the Bronx River Parkway at Exit 6; by train via the #2 or #5 or by bus via the #9, #12, #19, #22, MetroNorth, or BxM11 Express Bus service (from Manhattan that stops just outside the gate.) To plan your trip, visit bronxzoo.com or call 718-367-1010.

 

Contact:

Max Pulsinelli – 718-220-5182; mpulsinelli@wcs.org

Steve Fairchild – 718-220-5189; sfairchild@wcs.org

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

MISSION: WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. VISION: WCS envisions a world where wildlife thrives in healthy lands and seas, valued by societies that embrace and benefit from the diversity and integrity of life on earth. To achieve our mission, WCS, based at the Bronx Zoo, harnesses the power of its Global Conservation Program in more than 60 nations and in all the world’s oceans and its five wildlife parks in New York City, visited by 4 million people annually. WCS combines its expertise in the field, zoos, and aquarium to achieve its conservation mission. Visit: www.wcs.org; http://www.facebook.com/TheWCS; http://www.youtube.com/user/WCSMedia  Follow: @thewcs.  

 

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