Powell, Ohio — This summer, AEP Ohio and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium are celebrating the fifth year of their Trim to Treat® partnership with the return of Forestry Fridays. This special event series invites Zoo guests 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.
Through the Trim to Treat® program, some of the trees and branches regularly cleared by AEP Ohio forestry crews 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.
Last year, AEP Ohio surpassed 1 million linear feet of browse delivered to the Zoo since the partnership launched in 2021.
On Forestry Fridays, visitors can enjoy a complimentary hands-on experience where they can meet the AEP Ohio forestry team and feed a giraffe some of the fresh branches and twigs trimmed away from power lines and equipment.
“Our top priority is providing safe, reliable power to our customers, but seeing our work directly support another need in our community is incredibly rewarding for our entire team,” said Dale Hopkins, AEP Ohio forestry manager.
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 29, June 19, July 31 and August 28, 2026, 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 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.
“Partnerships like this help tell a bigger story about conservation, sustainability, and resourcefulness across the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds,” said Dr. Jan Ramer, Senior Vice President of Animal Care and Conservation at the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds. “The browse provided through Trim to Treat® supports animals in our care while also helping guests better understand how collaboration within our community can directly benefit wildlife and animal wellbeing.”
To learn more about the partnership and how it works, visit AEPOhio.com/Trim-to-Treat.
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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 waterpark and 18-hole Safari Golf Club. The Columbus Zoo also manages The Wilds, a nearly 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.
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 across 61 counties. News and information about AEP Ohio can be found at AEPOhio.com.
About AEP
American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) is committed to improving our customers' lives with reliable, affordable power. We plan to invest $78 billion from 2026 through 2030 to enhance service for customers and support the growing energy needs of our communities. Our nearly 18,000 employees operate and maintain the nation's largest electric transmission system with 40,000 line miles, along with more than 252,000 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 32,000 megawatts of diverse owned and contracted 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, West Virginia and 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.