Everyone deserves a special summer treat — and that includes the giraffes at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium!
If you are planning a Zoo trip over the next few months, you won’t want to miss this special opportunity to get up close with the animals. Forestry Fridays are officially back for the 2026 season, giving you and your family a front-row seat to see how our ongoing forestry work to keep the power on also helps support animals at the Columbus Zoo.
Through our Trim to Treat® partnership, some of the trees and branches cleared by AEP Ohio forestry crews to protect the power grid are donated and delivered to the Columbus Zoo. These fresh tree trimmings, also known as browse, are not only important to the animals’ diets but also beneficial for enrichment.
2026 marks our fifth year of the partnership. Late last year, we officially crossed 1 million linear feet of donated browse delivered since 2021! That’s enough branches to stretch across more than 2,700 football fields.
Complimentary Giraffe Feedings
Join our forestry team at the Columbus Zoo’s Heart of Africa region on select Fridays this summer. You’ll meet some of the team helping to keep your power on and pick up a complimentary voucher to hand-feed a giraffe a fresh leafy snack.
Mark your calendars for the 2026 Forestry Friday lineup:
- May 29, 2026 (season kickoff!)
- June 19, 2026
- July 31, 2026
- August 28, 2026
Quick Tips for Your Visit: Swing by our information table between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to claim your feeding voucher. Vouchers are first-come, first-served while supplies last. The special AEP Ohio browse feedings happen from 11 a.m. to noon on these dates, but your voucher can be redeemed during any scheduled giraffe feeding through October.
We can’t wait to see you there. Happy snacking!
Admission to the Zoo is required to participate in the complimentary giraffe feedings. Dates of events and feedings are subject to change depending on the weather and other factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I redeem my voucher for a free giraffe feeding?
Vouchers can be redeemed anytime through October during scheduled giraffe feedings throughout the day, but fresh browse trimmed by our forestry crew is only available for feedings from 11 a.m. to noon on Forestry Fridays.
What happens if there is inclement weather or excessive heat on a Forestry Friday?
For the safety of zoogoers, our crews and the animals at the Zoo, Forestry Friday events may change. Return to this page or check our social channels for updates.
How does tree trimming support keeping my power on?
Our forestry team works year-round to trim and remove trees and branches around our power lines throughout Ohio. This helps prevent outages that could be caused by trees or branches coming in contact with electric wires. Through the Trim to TreatⓇ partnership, some of these fresh trimmings are shared with the Zoo and The Wilds to benefit the animals.
How can I learn more about AEP Ohio’s forestry program?
Ask one of our team members while visiting our table at the Zoo on a Forestry Friday! You can also learn more about our forestry crews and their commitment to keeping your power on at AEPOhio.com/Trees.
