By 1808Delaware
AEP Ohio and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium are celebrating a unique milestone in their Trim to Treat® partnership — the delivery of more than 1 million linear feet of fresh tree trimmings to the Zoo. That’s enough to stretch across more than 2,700 football fields. The partnership, launched in 2021, turns routine utility maintenance into a steady source of nourishment for zoo animals while protecting the electric grid for customers.
AEP Ohio’s forestry crews trim trees and branches across the state to prevent outages and maintain reliable power. Instead of disposing of the trimmed material, selected branches — known as “browse” — are donated to the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds, where they become part of the animals’ diets and enrichment programs.
A Win for Reliability and Conservation
“Our goal is to provide reliable service to our customers, and our forestry work is essential to making this happen,” said Dale Hopkins, AEP Ohio forestry manager. “Through our Trim to Treat partnership, we’re able to not only protect the flow of electricity, we’re able to provide food and enrichment to the animals at the Zoo. We’re incredibly proud to support the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and to celebrate this milestone together.”
Each week, the Zoo uses about 19,100 linear feet of fresh browse for its animals, with AEP Ohio contributing between 5,000 and 9,000 feet. The partnership saves the Zoo money by reducing the need to purchase browse from outside suppliers while offering animals a natural, sustainable source of food.
Enrichment That Grows on Trees
“Fresh browse is a vital part of the care we provide to many of the animals at the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds, as it offers nutrition, enrichment, and opportunities for natural behaviors,” said Dr. Jan Ramer, Senior Vice President of Animal Care and Conservation. “Thanks to our partnership with AEP Ohio, we’re able to ensure a reliable supply of this important resource. This collaboration is a wonderful example of how working together can benefit both our community and the animals who call the Zoo and The Wilds home.”
To learn more about the Trim to Treat® partnership, visit AEPOhio.com/Trim-to-Treat.
Source: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium; Photo: Amanda Carberry, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
