News

Stay connected to the Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo. Sign up for our newsletter to keep up with the latest from the JMZ and the Friends, including new programs, community stories, and ways to get involved.

Five Ways to Explore Palo Alto With Your Family This Summer
June 23, 2026
The JMZ is one of many family-friendly destinations in Palo Alto and summer is the perfect time to get out and explore all our community has to offer. This month, we’re sharing five ways to explore, connect, and make memories, just steps away from the JMZ.

Step Inside the Rainbow Tunnel
May 26, 2026
The JMZ’s newest admission-free exhibit, the Rainbow Tunnel, is now open! The Rainbow Tunnel is an interactive space inspiring the discovery of scientific concepts related to light, color, and sound. Read on to learn about the design of the exhibit, how it is being used as a teaching tool, and how it supports STEM learning for the entire community.

Highlights From The Friends’ 3rd Annual Spring Breakfast
April 21, 2026
On March 27th, we hosted our third annual Spring Breakfast, raising more than $60,000 to fund engaging, hands-on science lessons for over 3,000 elementary school students. Read on to learn about our animal welcome crew, the inspiring panel of speakers, and to check out photos.

Sparking Curiosity for the Littlest Learners
March 24, 2026
The Baby Meadow has recently been refreshed to feature wooden, nature-inspired design elements and two custom habitats for Sadiq the veiled chameleon and Sahara the uromastyx, a type of spiny-tailed, desert lizard. Read on to learn more about these updates to our space that sparks curiosity for the littlest learners.

Play With a Purpose: Animal Enrichment at the JMZ
February 17, 2026
Just as our children learn and grow through play, so do our animals. Learn more about how JMZ zookeepers promote the social, physical, and mental well-being of animals through enrichment activities and how Friends support has helped their efforts grow.

A New Year of Curiosity and Connection
January 20, 2026
As we enter 2026, we look forward to exciting new developments at the Friends and hold a conversation with Jenny Nelson, a long-time JMZ educator. Jenny shares her passion for working in the Science Outreach Program, the value of hands-on science education, and why outreach to underserved schools is particularly important.

Celebrate Our Impact: Annual Report Inside
November 18, 2025
Thanks to the generosity of our community, the Friends continued to strengthen and expand access to JMZ science education and inclusive programming this year.

Big News: The JMZ Celebrates AZA Accreditation
October 21, 2025
On September 16, the JMZ was awarded Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Accreditation! This achievement affirms the JMZ’s excellence in animal care, conservation, and education. Learn more about AZA and what this means for the JMZ.

The Impact of the JMZ Summer Camp Experience
September 16, 2025
Summer camps at the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo are always a hit. For the third consecutive summer, the Friends funded scholarships to the JMZ’s camps. Read this newsletter to see what parents are saying about their children’s experiences.

Animal Spotlight: The JMZ’s Flamingo Chick
August 15, 2025
For this month’s newsletter, we take a closer look at the zoo’s flamingo chick—which hatched on June 22 to everyone’s surprise and delight. Learn more about how the chick has grown and its unique adaptations, accompanied by photos from the JMZ’s animal care team.

What’s New in the Zoo?
July 15, 2025
The JMZ’s “Loose in the Zoo” experience is a unique ecosystem of thriving plants, furry mammals, and colorful birds. In this edition, learn more about the newest critters in the zoo, from a new flamingo chick to a female meerkat.