WHAT: Over 100 years ago, the site that eventually became Woodland Park Zoo was a part of land developer Guy Phinney’s glorious private estate. Today, the zoo continues to be noted for its expansive botanical collection. In recognition of Woodland Park Zoo’s Centennial anniversary and Earth Day, The Seattle Garden Club and the zoo team up to host ZOOBOTANICA. The inaugural event treats garden aficionados, budding enthusiasts and zoo-goers to a small flower show, a "village" of gardening and zoo activities, a lecture and book signing by world-leading ethnobotanist Dr. Mark Plotkin and a wildlife adventure at the zoo!

EVENTS:

ZOOBOTANICA Lecture, "Rain Forest Conservation and the Search for New Jungle Medicines," and Book Signing: Friday, April 16, 7:00 p.m., REI Meeting Room, 222 Yale Ave. N., Seattle. Door opens at 6:00 for book signing and seating

Dr. Mark Plotkin ushers in ZOOBOTANICA with a slide-illustrated lecture, "Rain Forest Conservation and the Search for New Jungle Medicines." For over a decade, Dr. Plotkin has studied the uses of medicinal plants among the forest peoples of the northern Amazon. Join the best-selling author, rain forest wizard and world-renowned ethnobotanist as he weaves a fascinating account of his personal search for new natural products, his amazing encounters with native peoples, and his efforts to conserve their fragile rain forest environments. Cost: $10 zoo/REI members/students; $12 general public. Tickets available through credit card purchases, by calling REI at (206) 223-1944 and asking for customer service, or at the door. Presented by the zoo and Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI).

ZOOBOTANICA Lecture, "Rain Forest Conservation and the Search for New Jungle Medicines," and Book Signing: Dr. Mark Plotkin, Saturday, April 17, 11:00 a.m. - noon, Woodland Park Zoo Auditorium, off N. 50^th St. & Fremont Ave. N. Door opens at 10:30 for seating

ZOOBOTANICA continues with Dr. Mark Plotkin’s slide-illustrated lecture, "Rain Forest Conservation and the Search for New Jungle Medicines," followed by a book signing. Cost: $10 zoo/REI members/students; $12 general public. Tickets sold in advance at the Woodland Park ZooStore, by telephone at (206) 548-1535, and at the door.

ZOOBOTANICA Flower Show: Friday, April 23, 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Woodland Park Zoo South Gate Plaza and Education Center, N. 50^th St. & Fremont Ave. N.

The second weekend of ZOOBOTANICA opens with a small flower show presented by The Seattle Garden Club. Members of The Garden Club of America will compete to create seven floral and horticultural vignettes for all to enjoy: "Wild Instincts," "Monkey See Monkey Do," "Nocturnal Mischief," "A World of Picnics," "Northern Lights," "Jungle Noises" and "Woodland Park." Cost: free with zoo admission.

ZOOBOTANICA: Saturday, April 24, Flower Show, 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; Gardening Activities, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Woodland Park Zoo South Gate Plaza, N. 50^th St. & Fremont Ave. N.

Visitors can venture to a small flower show by The Garden Club of America complemented by a "village" of family gardening activities including horticulture booths, tours and talks, pruning demonstrations, sheep shearing, a scavenger hunt, children’s crafts, ZooStore garden merchandise, including Zoo Doo, and a wildlife adventure around the zoo to learn about the critical relationship between plants and animals. Cost: free with zoo admission.

ZOOBOTANICA: Sunday, April 25, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Woodland Park Zoo South Gate Plaza, N. 50^th St. & Fremont Ave. N.

ZOOBOTANICA concludes with a "village" of family gardening activities including horticulture booths, tours and talks, pruning demonstrations, a scavenger hunt, children’s crafts, ZooStore garden merchandise, including Zoo Doo, and a wildlife adventure around the zoo to learn about the critical relationship between plants and animals. Cost: free with zoo admission.

INFO: Zoo opens at 9:30 a.m. daily, 365 days of the year. Closes at 6:00 p.m. from March 15 through October 14. Closes at 4:00 p.m. from October 15 through March 14.

Adult (18-64) $8.50; Senior (65+) $7.75; Youth (6-17) and Disabled $6.00; Preschool (3-5) $3.75; Toddler (0-2) Free. King County residents: Adult (18-64) $7.50; Senior (65+) $6.75; Youth (6-17) and Disabled $5.25; Preschool (3-5) $3.25; Toddler (0-2) Free. Parking $3.50.

For general information, call (206) 684-4800 or 684-4026 (TDD). Or visit our Web site at www.zoo.org.