The Chattanooga Zoo announces that it has been awarded a new certification in environmental sustainability. On Nov. 29, 2017 the Chattanooga Zoo was officially awarded the green|light certification from local nonprofit, green|spaces. 
 
The green|light certification is an initiative for Chattanooga organizations that helps with employee attraction, public image, cost savings and environmental stewardship. This certification requires participants to meet certain conditions in order to increase the organization’s sustainability measures and environmental stewardship. The conditions are provided in a personal eco policy manual including a check-list covering a variety of categories including recycling, energy, purchasing and more.  
 
The Chattanooga Zoo’s Green Team was formed in October of 2016 in order to steer the institution towards sustainability. While already committed to several different green practices, such as lighting retrofits, recycling and water bottle refill stations, members of the Green Team were tasked with finding even more green opportunities and implementing more sustainable initiatives across the zoo.  
 
Since beginning the green|light certification process, the Chattanooga Zoo has expanded its green practices through providing reusable water bottles for volunteers, establishing new recycling programs for nitrile gloves and portable electronics recycling and expanding its Earth Day Celebration to add an Eco Fair with vendors from the community to help educate guests on the importance of preserving resources and protecting the planet.  
 
“It has been a privilege to be able to implement a variety of sustainable measures in order to receive the green|light certification,” Emma DuBose, zookeeper and Green Team coordinator, stated. “We are committed to continuing to implement even more sustainable practices and are excited to share our efforts with zoo guests and partners at our second annual Earth Day Celebration & Eco Fair this April.” 
 
"The Chattanooga Zoo is proud to bring attention to the importance of green practices as sustainable practices are a critical part of conservation, and joins eleven other local businesses that have received green|light certification," officials said.
 
The Chattanooga Zoo invites the public to attend the Earth Day Celebration and Eco Fair on Saturday and Sunday, April 21-22 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. each day. All activities are free with regular Zoo admission.