SmartFlowers Come into Bloom at Franklin Park Zoo

Zoo New England is an organization dedicated to creating engaging experiences to inspire people to protect and sustain the natural world for future generations. It is no surprise, then, that it installed two SmartFlowers at its Franklin Park Zoo location! The flowers are located near the Butterfly Hollow and Giraffe Savannah exhibits and all generated energy goes back to the grid. With an estimated 10,000 kilowatt hours a year being generated, that’s enough to power the zoo’s carousel and new golf carts!

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The organization received great support from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club, who made the purchase of the SmartFlowers and two golf carts with solar charging systems possible. “We really liked the eye-catching look of the SmartFlower and how it is self-contained. It is a wonderful opportunity to highlight solar energy and educate guests about its importance,” said Robert Chabot, the Chief Operating Officer at Zoo New England.

As a conservation organization, Zoo New England always makes sustainability one of its priorities when undertaking new projects. Its cell phone recycling and rain garden initiatives are some of the many ways the zoo is committed to preserving the Earth and educating its guests. The SmartFlowers are a welcome addition to the zoo’s sustainability initiatives, providing guests with a visual representation of the zoo’s dedicated conservation and sustainability work.

“The SmartFlowers have become a natural photo opportunity and focal point for our guests. Many guests stop to take photos, and we hope that they are sharing these photos and our commitment to sustainability on their social media,” said Robert Chabot. With its beautiful flower-like appearance, innovative sun-tracking technology, and striking green wrap, it is no wonder that guests are stopping to look at the SmartFlowers. A sign with further information on how the SmartFlowers work sits between the two flowers to educate guests on the importance of renewable energy.

“Conservation is a cornerstone of our mission, and we are committed to having a meaningful impact in the conservation of wildlife and habitats. The SmartFlowers align with our mission perfectly and presents us with the opportunity to talk about the importance of sustainable practices with our guests. We hope that their experiences at the Franklin Park Zoo educate and inspire them to take an active role in ensuring a healthy, thriving planet for generations to come.”

Learn more about Zoo New England and the Franklin Park Zoo at www.zoonewengland.org.

Want to read up on other SmartFlower installations? Click here.