We are asking visitors young and not-so young to rummage amongst their photos and diaries and send in pictures and memories to help celebrate a significant milestone, and the chance to win a special anniversary reward.

In 1992, Milnthorpe’s Lakeland Wildlife Oasis opened their doors for the first time, and over the 30 enthralling years since, have captivated and educated visitors with their furred, feathered and finned inhabitants, as well as contributing to many worldwide conservation programmes.

As part of this year celebrating this milestone, we are asking visitors to dig out pictures of their visits to the zoo across the decades, which will then be displayed at the zoo as a digital and physical wall of memories throughout the summer.

“We often have parents telling us how much they loved visiting as children themselves” says zoo founder Jo Marsden. “Which made us think what a perfect time to capture the zoo’s legacy, across 30 years of changes and challenges, as a thank you to our loyal supporters.”

The zoo are also welcoming stories, anecdotes and memories of family visits and memorable moments spent up close and personal with any of the zoos amazing animals. The ten best photos and submissions will be rewarded with an invitation to the zoo’s anniversary party on Saturday 9th July, which includes entry to the zoo and hot food from the BBQ for the people in the photo.

“We’ve already received some great pictures and memories,” says Jo, who’s been going through her own family albums. “We’d love pictures of children visiting the zoo “then and now”- perhaps a scowling three-year old who’s now an ecologist- or a merchant banker and it will be great to meet up with some of them, now they are grown up, at our party!”

“You forget how quickly things change; I’ve found pictures of our family standing onsite when it was just an abandoned nursery glasshouse, looking at bit shell-shocked at the work ahead of us! It’s been an incredible 30 years, and with the natural world under threat more than ever, we’re determined to continue making a difference over the next 30 years.”

Call for help: for people to send photos and memories of their friends and family at the Oasis from the last 30 years.

Email mail@wildlifeoasis.co.uk

For pictures snapped in the “Kodak” age, simply send in electronically by taking a photo of them using a digital camera or smartphone. Please include names, dates and memories along with the photos.

Participants must understand their photos will be shared publicly at the Zoo on a display wall throughout the summer.