A trip to Dublin Zoo just got even better... and the kids will absolutely love it
Dublin Zoo is the best place to spend a whole day, enjoy a picnic and learn a thing or two about animals that aren't native to our country.
But, thanks to a new partnership, that's not the only thing kids can learn after a trip to Phoenix Park.
Teaming up with SSE Airtricity, Ireland’s largest provider of green energy, they want to help families learn more about the importance of sustainability in a fun and interactive way.
Proud to announce our partnership with @sseairtricity.@aoibhinn_ni_s came to @DublinZoo to celebrate!
Find out: https://t.co/Es0lZau7Tq pic.twitter.com/DoYK4g4U9B
— Dublin Zoo (@DublinZoo) 5 April 2017
Together they have created a bespoke Eco Explorer Trail, a digital app that can be used on any tablet or smartphone, which identifies nine Eco Explorer stations for parents and kids to discover as they explore Dublin Zoo.
Designed with the idea of bringing sustainability to life, the Trail will encourage users to take time to enjoy the natural outdoor spaces that foster positivity, creativity, and social interaction.
Download @sseairtricity Eco Explorer app to discover fun & simple ways you can be more sustainable. https://t.co/gCCxfz8Gq1 to download! pic.twitter.com/gTz4A6re2e
— Dublin Zoo (@DublinZoo) 9 April 2017
Eco Explorer app users will also be encouraged to take simple steps to be more sustainable, such as refilling their water bottle, reducing waste and learning about the dangers of discarded plastic to animals.
Young Eco Explorers will be able to collect Explorer Badges at each Trail station, and once ‘bagged’ in the SSE Airtricity Eco Explorer app, they will be entered into draws to win competition prizes.
The SSE Airtricity/Dublin Zoo Eco Explorer Trail includes education stations focusing on:
· Appreciating your surroundings to connect with nature
· Encouraging biodiversity by creating a bug hotel at home or in school
· Making compost to fertilise our soil
· Refilling your water bottle at Dublin Zoo’s water stations to avoid the use of throw-away plastic cups
· Recycling plastic to help protect the planet
· The importance of insulation
· Harvesting rainwater where possible to ensure we’re not wasting a drop of water
Each stations also includes great ‘Did you know?’ facts; for instance, Dublin Zoo harvests rainwater in huge storage tanks to help flush some of its public toilets!
Indeed, even the rainwater-harvesting tanks are recycled from part of the water filtration system at Dublin Zoo’s old sea lion pool.
A wonderful morning launching our partnership with @DublinZoo and @aoibhinn_ni_s pic.twitter.com/Gha0NyvtZt
— SSE Airtricity (@sseairtricity) 5 April 2017
Through the new partnership, SSE Airtricity customers can also redeem exclusive discounts for Dublin Zoo through its online loyalty rewards platform, SSEReward.com.
Registered SSE Reward members also have the chance to win exclusive ‘money-can’t-buy-experiences’ at Dublin Zoo – such as seeing how the Asian elephants and Amur tigers start their day, and learning all about the animals from the dedicated zookeeper team.
For more information and to download the app, click www.SSEAirtricity.com/eco.