Zoo Volunteers Assist Field Partners at EVACC

What is EVACC?

The El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center (EVACC) Foundation in Panama is a key partner of the Maryland Zoo in the conservation of Panamanian golden frogs. Through this partnership, the Zoo sends financial support and staff to Panama to assist EVACC in their crucial conservation efforts. The EVACC center features a small visitor area showcasing Panamanian amphibians, with a focus on the Panamanian Golden Frog, and also includes a nature trail entrance known as the Square Trees Trail and a gift shop.

Volunteer Experience

EVACC faces ongoing challenges with funding, staffing, and raising awareness, but despite these hurdles, the Zoo’s support helps make a significant difference. In a groundbreaking initiative, Zoo volunteers Larry and Hilde traveled to EVACC at their own expense, bringing with them valuable experience and skills. Having previously trained as Panamanian Golden Frog exhibit guides at the Zoo and prior experience running a visitor center in Alaska, they were well-prepared for this unique assignment. Their presence at EVACC marked a new precedent for involving volunteers in staff field assignments.

Larry and Hilde arrived at EVACC on January 21, 2024, where they were welcomed with a two-hour orientation from EVACC Manager/Director Heidi Ross and EVACC President Edgardo Griffith. Despite the challenges of power outages and other difficulties, they maintained a positive attitude and effectively represented the Maryland Zoo, promoting conservation efforts and engaging with visitors.

Larry and Hilde’s Tasks Included:

• Opening and closing the visitor center (9 AM to 4 PM)
• Greeting visitors, collecting fees, and maintaining the visitor log
• Offering personalized tours of the exhibit to enhance visitor engagement, though signage in both English and Spanish was also provided
• Managing gift shop inventory and financial responsibilities, including tracking sales and ensuring accuracy
• Assisting hikers by unlocking the gate to the nature trail
• Unexpectedly mentoring two university students majoring in tourism during their month-long internship
• Monitoring the operation of pumps, sprinklers, and lights in the tanks [though feeding and handling the golden frogs were not part of their duties]

Their efforts also included data entry, creating signage asking guests for Google reviews, and helping raise awareness about the golden frog’s plight. They logged 140 volunteer hours each, welcomed 543 trail visitors and 619 visitors to the center, and significantly boosted EVACC’s Google reviews!

Skills and Qualities for EVACC Volunteers:

• Basic knowledge of amphibians, particularly the Panamanian Golden Frog
• Trustworthiness for handling money, merchandise, and exhibits
• Ability to work independently, though teamwork is essential
• Basic Spanish skills (useful but not required)
• Engagement with visitors
• Punctuality for opening and closing the center
• Flexibility to adapt to changing plans

Larry and Hilde’s volunteer experience in Panama demonstrated the valuable contributions zoo volunteers can make. Their hard work not only supported EVACC but also set a new example for future volunteers. Despite the challenges that were encountered, they felt appreciated and made a significant impact. Their work has paved the way for more zoo volunteers to follow in their footsteps, proving that dedicated individuals can indeed make a difference in conservation efforts!