Gahanna, Ohio — This summer, AEP Ohio, an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium are once again celebrating Forestry Fridays, a special event series for zoogoers to learn more about the work AEP Ohio’s forestry team does to help keep the power on and see firsthand how it also benefits animals.
Some of the trees and branches the AEP Ohio forestry crews regularly trim are donated and delivered to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and The Wilds as part of the Trim to Treat® partnership. These fresh tree trimmings, also known as browse, are not only important to the animals’ diets but also beneficial for enrichment.
On Forestry Fridays, zoogoers are invited to a complimentary experience where they can interact with AEP Ohio forestry team members and have the unique opportunity to feed a giraffe some of the fresh branches and twigs trimmed away from power lines and equipment.
“Our team works hard to keep the power on for our customers and be a good community partner,” said Dale Hopkins, AEP Ohio forestry manager. “This is a great opportunity to see how the trees we trim also benefit animals right here at the Zoo.”
Complimentary Giraffe Feeding Details
Visitors can pick up a complimentary giraffe feeding voucher from the AEP Ohio forestry team in the Heart of Africa region from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. on May 30, June 20, July 25 and August 29, 2025, while supplies last. Vouchers can be redeemed anytime through October during scheduled giraffe feedings throughout the day. Feeding opportunities with browse will be available on the Forestry Friday dates from 11 a.m. to noon. All dates and times are subject to change depending on weather and other factors. Additional details and updates can be found here.
“Forestry Fridays are such a fun way to connect the dots between the important work AEP Ohio does in our communities and for the animals we care for here at the Zoo,” said Dr. Jan Ramer, senior vice president of animal care and conservation, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and The Wilds. “Since the start of the Trim to Treat® partnership nearly four years ago, AEP Ohio has delivered a steady supply of browse for our animals. We’re excited for even more guests to experience a giraffe munching on a snack that came from a power line clearing. It’s a powerful reminder that conservation and community can go hand-in-hoof.”
To learn more about the partnership and how it works, visit AEPOhio.com/Trim-to-Treat.
###
About AEP Ohio
AEP Ohio is based in Gahanna, Ohio, and is a unit of American Electric Power. AEP Ohio provides electricity to 1.5 million customers. News and information about AEP Ohio can be found at AEPOhio.com. Our team at American Electric Power is committed to improving our customers' lives with reliable, affordable power. We are investing $54 billion from 2025 through 2029 to enhance service for customers and support the growing energy needs of our communities. Our nearly 16,000 employees operate and maintain the nation's largest electric transmission system with 40,000 line miles, along with more than 225,000 miles of distribution lines to deliver energy to 5.6 million customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with approximately 29,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity. We are focused on safety and operational excellence, creating value for our stakeholders and bringing opportunity to our service territory through economic development and community engagement. Our family of companies includes AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. AEP is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, visit aep.com.
About the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Home to more than 600 animal species from around the world, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium leads by making a positive impact on people, wildlife, and wild places. The Zoo complex is a recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Club. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also manages The Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio. The Zoo is a wildlife conservation organization with regional, national and global impact, annually supporting conservation and research projects locally and worldwide. For more information, please visit ColumbusZoo.org.
###