Zoo InternQuest is a career exploration program for high school students. For more information see the Zoo InternQuest Journals. For more photos see the Zoo InternQuest Photo Journal.

As we stepped over the fence that separates the garden from the public walkway, we became the newest additions to the Zoo’s vegetable garden in the Monkey Trails and Forest Tales habitat. With instruction from Andy Dannenberger of the Zoo’s Horticulture Department, we planted 64 new vegetable plants, including kale, peas, and various types of lettuce. Although for now they are pretty puny, they will soon be luscious enough to eat and will show visitors what they can do with their own gardens.

More than this, by planting healthy plants we made a small contribution to what Mr. Dannenberger described as an important “balance.” In places as near as the neighbor’s backyard to faraway, forested lands, plants are frequently uprooted to make room for new development. All too frequently, uprooted plants are not replaced. In this way, the world is loosing vast expanses of wild land comparable to the size of London, England each year. This reminds us that animals aren’t the only species that are threatened with extinction!

Continuing on our extensive tour of Monkey Trails, we came across a fig tree of monstrous proportions. We learned from Mr. Dannenberger that, during the construction of Monkey Trails, this tree was moved from its original location. Instead of cutting down such an important part of the Zoo’s history and heritage, teams of engineers developed a system of hydraulic movers to give this fig tree the ride of a lifetime, moving it more than 200 feet to its new resting place. With heartfelt conservation actions such as these, the Zoo has positively contributed to the balance of life, just as anyone can in his or her own garden.

Lauren, Conservation Team

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