7 great reasons to become a Buttonwood Park Zoo member today

This summer we shared why we felt Buttonwood Park Zoo was a bucket list destination. Now, we’d like to share why you should become a member, what perks you’ll enjoy and some of the benefits. Becoming a member is not “upselling.” You genuinely reap some fantastic benefits. Besides being a rewarding experience, enriching lives through interaction with nature, and exposing oneself to culture, there are financial benefits. We are all trying to balance our household budgets and business ledger, so saving money is always welcome.

The biggest misconception that people have about becoming a member is that it means paying a bunch of money up front – this is simply not the case. Membership with the Buttonwood Park Zoological Society couldn’t be more affordable. For example, adult admission for a New Bedford resident is $6. If you went four times the entire year, you would have spent $24. Membership for an adult is $25 per year, but allows you to go as many times as you want all year and receive the many benefits and perks!

For a New Bedford family with two adults and two children under 12, you would pay $18 for a visit. If you went a total of three times a year, that would cost $54. The same price ($55) it would cost for two adults and four children to become members with unlimited access.

1. Create Powerful Lasting Memories
Imagine if our childrens’ experiences with nature solely consisted of images they saw in a book or on a screen? The impact from being a mere few feet away is a powerful one that images simply can’t convey. Anecdotes abound of people who have decided their life’s mission after being in the presence of an animal. Making a connection through a subtle exchange of glances, a petting of the skin or fur, or simply observing them in their daily routine can lead to experiencing compassion and empathy for all living beings. The fact that most of the animals at the zoo are absolutely adorable makes it even easier to engender these traits.

2. Substantial Discounts
Money talks and membership comes with a number of discounts. An individual or household membership comes with a 10% discount in the North Woods Gift Store so you can come away with a memento of your experiences. In addition, individual and household members receive discounts for many of the intriguing zoo programs and events held throughout the year that won’t want to miss. If you have a business membership, you can purchase family passes at a discounted rate.

3. Inspiration and desire to learn
Spending just a few moments at Buttonwood Park Zoo will pique the interest of children and adults alike. Why does the lynx lounge around all day? Do Buffalo shed their coats when the weather is warm? What do bears eat besides honey? What does an elephants skin feel like? What IS that smell? And on and on. Interaction fosters questions and an interest in learning. One will want to know and curiosity will come natural!

4. Invitation to Special “Members Only” Events
Throughout the year, Buttonwood Park Zoo holds a number of special events for its members only. These events are accessible by the general public. You get to experience not only the animals, but meet some of the staff and get insight into how the zoo functions. For example, last year members were invited to a revealing of the gender of the new Otter pups. The reveal was accompanied with a special cake made by Cravings Cakery and Cafe. There were carousel rides, face-painting and river otter related activities. Members also voted on their favorite names for the two pups.

5. Reciprocal Benefits
Your benefits are not restricted solely to Buttonwood Park Zoo, but there are over 140 other zoos and aquariums all over the country that you can receive free or discounted admission to. This includes places far and wide the Boston Museum of Science, Los Angeles Zoo and the award winning Toledo Zoo – chosen as the best zoo in America by USA Today. For a comprehensive list, go here.

6. Community Enrichment
Your support leads to the many special events and programs that take place at the zoo and helps the Zoological Society’s educational mission prosper. When you and your family or co-workers visit you reap direct benefits and the community is better for it. Enriching lives of individuals benefits the community at large – sharing your experiences by word-of-mouth generates positive interest about animals.

7. Zooletter and special emailed notices of zoo programs & events
No matter how busy life is, you’ll never miss any of the goings-on, updates or special happenings at Buttonwood Park Zoo. The Zooletter features a concise summary of what is going on and always has some great new images. A schedule of events will help you plan ahead and clear your own schedule so you and your family don’t miss out on the fun.

These 7 great reasons are by all means, not the only reasons to become a member! You can find out more by calling the zoo or stopping in and inquiring in person. If you are an individual, family or business who wants to know more about becoming a member, here is a short list of links:

General Page: bpzoo.org/get-involved/become-a-zoo-member/
Individual/Household: bpzoo.org/get-involved/become-a-zoo-member/memberships/
Business and Corporate: bpzoo.org/business-corporate-memberships/
Other: bpzoo.org/get-involved/become-a-zoo-member/other-memberships/

Buttonwood Park Zoo

425 Hawthorn St
New Bedford, Massachusetts 02740
Mon – Sun: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Phone: (508) 991-6178
Email: info@bpzoo.org
Website http://www.bpzoo.org
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Buttonwood-Park-Zoo/94011064393
Website: bpzoo.org/