Schnecksville, PA, June 2026 – The Education Alliance for Amateur Radio will bring a live amateur radio demonstration to the Lehigh Valley Zoo on Sunday, June 21, 2026, in celebration of World Giraffe Day.
World Giraffe Day is observed each year on June 21, the longest day of the year. The day celebrates giraffes, the world’s tallest land animals, and helps raise awareness about the challenges they face in the wild.
The radio group will operate under the call sign W3G from the Lehigh Valley Zoo in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, near the giraffe habitat. The zoo’s resident giraffes are Joshua and Tatu.
During the event, licensed amateur radio operators will use radio equipment and antennas to contact other radio operators across the United States and, if conditions allow, around the world. Each contact will help share a short message about World Giraffe Day, giraffe conservation, and the Lehigh Valley Zoo.
Zoo guests will be able to see the radio station in operation, learn how radio signals can travel long distances, view a map showing where contacts are being made, and learn fun giraffe facts. The display will connect wildlife conservation with science, technology, geography, and communication.
“This may be the only special event station where the antenna is not the tallest thing around,” said Walt Skavinsky, KB3SBC, Secretary of the Education Alliance for Amateur Radio. “We are excited to bring amateur radio to the Lehigh Valley Zoo and use it as a fun way to help people learn about giraffes, conservation, and STEM.”
The event will also encourage visitors to “Stand Tall for Giraffes” by learning about the challenges giraffes face, sharing accurate conservation information, supporting trusted wildlife conservation efforts, and helping young people understand why protecting wildlife and habitat matters.
Giraffes are one of the most recognizable animals in the world, but they face serious conservation challenges, including habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. World Giraffe Day helps bring attention to those challenges and encourages people to take small but meaningful steps to support wildlife conservation.
For amateur radio operators who contact W3G, electronic confirmation cards will be sent automatically after the event to the email address listed on each contacted operator’s QRZ profile. Paper confirmation cards will also be available direct to KB3SBC with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
The W3G World Giraffe Day operation is sponsored by the Education Alliance for Amateur Radio, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting STEM education, public outreach, and amateur radio through hands-on learning experiences.
Event Location:
Lehigh Valley Zoo
5150 Game Preserve Road
Schnecksville, PA 18078
About the Education Alliance for Amateur Radio
The Education Alliance for Amateur Radio is a nonprofit organization that promotes STEM education, public outreach, and amateur radio through hands-on learning experiences, demonstrations, licensing support, and community events.
About World Giraffe Day
World Giraffe Day is observed annually on June 21 to celebrate giraffes and raise awareness about conservation efforts to protect giraffe populations in the wild.
Information provided to TVL by:
Walt Skavinsky, KB3SBC
Secretary
Education Alliance for Amateur Radio, KE3AAR
