KNOXVILLE, Tenn.— What in the world is a Green Monkey? Knoxville Zoo developed the Green Monkey brand to establish the zoo as one of the community's leading authorities on green initiatives and to promote conservation in East Tennessee. The zoo has a long history of, and strong commitment to, green practices. The Green Monkey image and accompanying educational messages placed throughout the zoo will serve as a trademark that will reach over 400,000 zoo visitors each year. After establishing the brand within the zoo, the Green Monkey will put his show on the road. The Green Monkey will begin a community-wide movement partnering with Knoxville area businesses and schools to promote conservation and awareness of earth-friendly practices.

This innovative program will be unveiled during the Great Smoky Mountains Sustainable Tourism Summit. The focus of the Summit is to draw attention to sustainable programs throughout the region. Knoxville Zoo has a strong commitment to sustainable tourism and decided to unveil this exciting new program at the Summit's evening event to be held at Knoxville Zoo on Monday, April 28, from 7 until 9 p.m. The event will include remarks from Summit leaders as well as the zoo and the zoo's spokesbird, Einstein. Remarks will commence at 7:45 p.m. and will include the announcement and unveiling of the Green Monkey program. The event will also include displays featuring many of the zoo's green initiatives and programs.

For more information on the Green Monkey program, visit the Web site at www.thinkgreenmonkey.org to see more of the great things Knoxville Zoo does every day for conservation and sustainability. Kids will also have the opportunity to submit Green Monkey sightings online and win prizes. So visit the zoo often and find that monkey! Are you a Green Monkey?

Knoxville Zoo is located off exit 392 from Interstate 40 and is open every day except Christmas Day. The zoo is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is committed to the highest standards in animal care and well-being, ethics, conservation, and education. Currently, the zoo is open weekdays from 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and on weekends from 9:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.  Admission and ticket sales stop one-hour before the zoo closes. Next-day admission is free after 3 p.m. For more information, please call 865.637.5331 ext. 300 or visit www.knoxville-zoo.org