Party With Pollinators at Hancock Whitney Zoo-To-Do and Zoo-To-Do for Kids presented by Children’s Hospital New Orleans 2022

Audubon Zoo announced at a press conference today that the 44^th annual Hancock Whitney Zoo-To-Do and 33^rd annual Zoo-To-Do for Kids presented by Children’s Hospital New Orleans will celebrate Audubon’s conservation efforts for pollinators, the group of insects, mammals, and birds on which the future of life on Earth depends. 

Hancock Whitney Zoo-To-Do will be Friday, May 6, and Zoo-To-Do for Kids presented by Children’s Hospital New Orleans will be Friday, April 29. Sponsor and Patron tickets for both events are on sale now. General admission tickets go on sale March 1.   

“Audubon museums and parks are home to many pollinator species, both wild and in human care,” said Audubon Nature Institute President and CEO Ron Forman. “As part of our mission to inspire making a positive impact on nature and wildlife, Audubon educates millions of people annually about pollinators’ importance to our global ecosystem and how each of us can help them. Your support of our Zoo-To-Do events will help safeguard the future of these vital species.” 

Vital to our environment’s health, pollinator species pollinate over 90% of the planet's flowering plants and one third of the human diet. All flowering plants need animals to move pollen to produce fruits and seeds.   

While many people think of bees as the only pollinators, beetles, butterflies, bats, birds, and other small mammals are also in this category. Pollinators can be very diverse, but many populations are declining due to habitat loss from urban development, pollution, chemical misuse, and climate change. With these threats, pollinators are losing the food and nesting sites critical for their survival.   

In celebration of the 2022 Hancock Whitney Zoo-To-Do, Hancock Whitney and Audubon Nature Institute will also be partnering this spring to plant a new pollinator garden on the grounds of Audubon Zoo to inspire visitors from across the world to continue doing a world of good for nature and wildlife for generations to come. 

“Hancock Whitney and Audubon have a long history of working together on conservation efforts, and we are thrilled to continue our partnership with Hancock Whitney Zoo-to-Do this year,” said Hancock Whitney Senior Regional President Gary Lorio. “This premier event will celebrate not only animal conservation at Audubon but also the City of New Orleans and all that our region has to offer.” 

Sponsor and Patron admission for Hancock Whitney Zoo-To-Do begins at 7 p.m., General admission begins at 8 p.m., and the party goes until 11 p.m. Hancock Whitney is once again the Title Sponsor for the adults-only fundraiser that features delectable cuisine and premium cocktails from local restaurants and bars as well as Audubon Catering. Party band The Phunky Monkeys will perform on Capital One Bank Stage, with Where Y’acht opening. Other performers include Alexey Marti Quartet at Cooper Plaza and Tin Men at the gala entrance. 

Hancock Whitney Zoo-To-Do guests can take a chance on the 2022 Zoo-To-Do Luxury Vehicle Raffle, which features a 2022 LEXUS NX 250, worth $39,880, that was generously donated by LEXUS of New Orleans. Tickets are $100 each, and a limit of 1,000 tickets will be sold. One lucky winner—who will be announced from the stage at the event—is guaranteed and the ticket-holder need not be present to win. Raffle chances can be purchased at the event, provided they have not yet sold out, or may be purchased in advance through the mail, over the phone by calling (504) 861-5107, and online by clicking here until 5 p.m. CST on May 4. 

The 33rd annual Zoo-To-Do for Kids presented by Children’s Hospital New Orleans will take place a week before Hancock Whitney Zoo-To-Do with VIP and early admission starting at 5 p.m. and general admission starting at 6 p.m. Live entertainment will be provided by Super Stars Events and Promotions, and guests will enjoy tasty sips and snacks, arcade games, giant inflatables, and arts and crafts. The event ends at 9 p.m. 

“Children’s Hospital is thrilled to return as presenting sponsor of Zoo-To-Do for Kids again this year,” said President and CEO of Children’s Hospital New Orleans John R. Nickens IV. “We look forward to celebrating all that this wonderful event has to offer for families across our community, and are proud to support Audubon’s conservation efforts.”  

Audubon is honored to have Holt E. Kolb chair the 2022 Hancock Whitney Zoo-To-Do and Carol S. Starr chair the 2022 Zoo-To-Do for Kids presented by Children’s Hospital New Orleans.  

The events will follow City, State, and U.S. Center for Disease Control's guidelines for safety. Due to the changing nature of these guidelines, restrictions, and protocols will be determined closer to the event date.