Boo At The Zoo: Green Halloween Events, Eco-friendly Celebrations Hosted By Zoos Across The Nation

Tens of Thousands to Participate in Green Halloween® Events and Costume Swaps Nationwide

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Instead of an old fashioned orange and black Halloween celebration, why not add some green to the mix? Green America's new Green Halloween® program has partnered with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and product partners to host over 70 events at zoos and aquariums nationwide. Green America is also sharing tips on providing healthy and sustainable treats for trick-or-treaters and nearly 200 free costume swap events have also been planned across the country until Halloween.

For additional information about Green Halloween's "Boo at the Zoo" events go to: http://greenhalloween.org/content.php?page=azafamilies. For more information about Halloween costume swaps in your state and additional tips on how to set up your own swap, go to: http://www.greenhalloween.org/CostumeSwap/index.html.

Green Halloween's product partners include: Honest Tea, Larabar, Stretch Island Fruit Co., Endangered Species Chocolate, Unreal, Plum Kids, Applegate, Cascadian Farm, Surf Sweets, Bitsy Brainfood, Brainard's Natural Remedies, Glee Gum, Kiwi Magazine, and CelebrateGreen.net.

Some major "Green Halloween" events include:

• Washington, DC, Smithsonian National Zoological Park "Boo at the Zoo," http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ActivitiesAndEvents/Celebrations/Boo/.
• New York, NY, Wildlife Conservation Society Bronx Zoo "Boo at the Zoo," http://apps.bronxzoo.com/boo/.
• Los Angeles, CA, Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens "Boo at the LA Zoo," http://www.lazoo.org/boo/index.html.
• Chicago, IL, Chicago Zoological Society's Brookfield Zoo "Boo at the Zoo," http://www.brookfieldzoo.org/CZS/boo.
• Detroit, MI, Detroit Zoological Society "Zoo Boo," http://www.detroitzoo.org/icalrepeat.detail/2012/10/26/1916/26/zoo-boo.
• Denver, CO, Denver Zoo "Boo at the Zoo," http://www.denverzoo.org/event/boo-zoo.

If you can't find a Green Halloween-sponsored event in your area, you can organize your own swap or learn about greener treats and "Treasures" online: http://greenhalloween.org/content.php?page=treats.  These DIY suggestions will save resources as you recycle items you already have on hand into fun Halloween treats for your little ones: http://greenhalloween.org/content.php?page=azafamilies.

Elizabeth O'Connell, campaigns director, Green America, said: "There are many ways that families can do their part to reduce excess and unhealthy consumption around Halloween. Green Halloween provides easy and family-friendly ways to help families celebrate green, as well as opportunities to participate in fun, eek-o friendly events, at zoos and in the community."  

Green Halloween aims to reach out to children, parents, and educators to demonstrate how to celebrate Halloween in a more environmentally-friendly, socially-responsible, and healthy way

ABOUT GREEN AMERICA

Green America is the nation's leading green economy organization. Founded in 1982, Green America (formerly Co-op America) provides the economic strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses and individuals to solve today's social and environmental problems. http://www.GreenAmerica.org.

SOURCE Green America, Washington, D.C.