Just in time for summer, the San Diego Zoo opened its new Wildlife Explorers Basecamp. Built on the site of the former Children’s Zoo, this three acre interactive exhibit is designed to educate guests of all ages on wildlife conservation. It especially caters to kids, showing them the role they play in creating a world where all life thrives. Wildlife Explorers Basecamp is divided into four zones — Rainforest, Wild Woods, Marsh Meadows, and Desert Dunes. Eight buildings and habitats dispersed throughout the zones feature wildlife that live in these ecosystems. Each has unique offerings including water play, a tree house, touch-screen games, and artificial intelligence (AI) to name a few. Here’s what to expect on your visit to Wildlife Explorers Basecamp! Rainforest A 10,000 square-foot building dubbed “Spineless Marvels” houses the fascinating world of invertebrates. Inside, a huge, floor-to-ceiling fiberglass honeycomb signals visitors they’re entering the bee exhibit. Along the wall, glass panes allow a peek into a real-life working beehive. While most of us know one or two bee species, there are in fact over 4,000 different kinds! Spiders, scorpions, leafcutter ants, jungle nymphs, grasshoppers and other insects live here, too. Curators took graphics to the next level with colorful, cartoon murals depicting the role these creatures play in nature. The pièce-de-résistance is on the dome ceiling where an animated meadow is projected with hundreds of fluttering Monarch butterflies and dragonflies. Wild Woods A 20-foot tree stands in the middle of this playground area. Children can run with abandon across a suspension bridge and through a tunnel made of rope, mimicking the nearby squirrel monkeys who swing on ropes and romp in their enclosure. On hot days, the splash-pad complete with waterfall, meandering stream, and water jets offer a respite from the heat. Marsh Meadows The aptly named
Just in time for summer, the San Diego Zoo opened its new Wildlife Explorers Basecamp. Built on the site of the former Children’s Zoo, this three acre interactive exhibit is designed to educate guests of all ages on wildlife conservation. It especially caters to kids, showing them the role they play in creating a world
Spring has sprung. After a long, sheltered winter, it’s time to get outdoors, freshen our homes, and shed our winter coats. This year especially, spring has a heightened sensed of renewal. With COVID vaccinations accelerating, we’ll be able to throw open our doors and spend time with friends and family. As the days grow longer, we’ll hang out at the beach and have meals around the picnic table with fresh produce on the menu. Embrace the season and its blooming flowers, warmer temperatures, and singing birds. Here are tips to usher in spring! Plant Herbs & Vegetables There’s nothing like fresh vegetables and herbs straight from the earth. It’s simple to grow your own. Starting from seed is the most fun and cost effective option. You can grow spring veggies and herbs in pots or in the ground. Both work great! Botanical Interests, a USA based seed company, offers non-GMO, organic seeds. Their veggie collection has ten packets delivered in a gift box tied with a bow. Pretty! You’ll be eating these goodies all summer. It includes: Heirloom Organic Bush Bean "Blue Lake 274" or “Contender.” Heirloom Organic Broccoli "Di Cicco.” Heirloom Organic Carrot "Red Cored Chantenay" or "Scarlet Nantes.” Sweet Corn "True Gold.” Heirloom Organic Cucumber "Spacemaster" or “Marketmore.” Organic Pea "Sugar Snap.” Heirloom Organic Radish "Cherry Belle.” Heirloom Organic Summer Squash "Black Beauty Zucchini.” Tomato Bush Roma “Supremo.” Heirloom Organic Tomato Pole "Black Krim.” Click here to order. Growing herbs is a great addition to your produce garden. A ten packet collection of Botanical Interests’ non-GMO seeds (also in a gift box tied with a bow ????) includes: Heirloom Organic Basil "Italian Genovese.” Heirloom Organic Chives “Common.” Heirloom Organic Cilantro "Long Standing.” Dill “Tetra.” Heirloom Organic Lemon Balm. Heirloom Marjoram. Heirloom Organic
Spring has sprung. After a long, sheltered winter, it’s time to get outdoors, freshen our homes, and shed our winter coats. This year especially, spring has a heightened sensed of renewal. With COVID vaccinations accelerating, we’ll be able to throw open our doors and spend time with friends and family. As the days grow
