With a focus on sustainability, education and community, the mission of Michigan zoos parallels ours to being a Force of Change for Michigan’s future. As valued customers, five zoos also have benefited from Consumers Energy Foundation grants and/or employee volunteer hours.

  • At Binder Park Zoo, near Battle Creek, the Wild Africa exhibit allows visitors to take a tram ride to view several species found across the continent of Africa. The vast habitat includes an opportunity to meet and hand-feed lettuce to giraffes at Twiga Overlook. The zoo also offers Group and Family Overnights on the property. The Consumers Energy Foundation provided a $100,000 grant to support Little Larks at the SkyLark Ridge Ropes Course and Zip Line.
  • Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak hosts several events this summer and is featuring a special BRICKLIVE exhibit, May 27 through Sept. 4. Consumers Energy is a supporting sponsor of the exhibit, which features more than 70 unique, dazzling displays of toy brick models – like a 7-foot elk and 12-foot giraffe to a 10-foot gator and a massive mako shark – made of more than 2 million bricks! Be sure to stop by the Deep Sea Divers sculpture for a picture. The zoo also is home to two of North America’s most interactive habitats for penguins and polar bears – The Polk Penguin Conversation Center (five species) and Arctic Ring of Life. VIDEO: Consumers Energy and the Detroit Zoo working together for Michigan.
  • John Ball Zoo, in Grand Rapids, offers several events throughout the year. Stop in for World Chimp Day, July 14; World Lion Day, Aug. 10; or Breakfast with the Animals on select days this summer. The Consumers Energy Foundation provided a $150,000 grant to support the “Time to Soar” capital campaign and opening of the pygmy hippo exhibit. The Meerkat Habitat was recognized as a 2022 Certified Green Building Award Sustainable Sites winner by the U.S. Green Building Council of West Michigan.
  • Potter Park Zoo, in Lansing, is Michigan’s oldest public zoo and is welcoming fathers with free admission on June 18 and all Grandparents on Sept. 10. A $50,000 grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation supported their Animal Health Facility, which is critical to ensuring the zoo maintains the highest level of care for the animals, enhances opportunities for veterinary students and provides quality educational experiences for guests.
  • Saginaw Children’s Zoo, open full-time May through September, provides many opportunities to visit, engage, support and learn during the year. The Consumers Energy Foundation supports employee volunteers at the zoo and provided a $36,000 grant in 2016 to Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy to place an educational nature trail at the Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square.

Whether you’re making memories cruisin’ through summer in your EV or visiting fairs, festivals or zoos, Michigan has something for everyone