PRESS ROOM

ROYAL OAK, Mich., 

The Detroit Zoo’s Amphibiville has a “newt” leader.  Trinity Favazza, 9, of Shelby Township, Mich., was sworn in as Mayor of Amphibiville on Wednesday for a two-year term.  Amphibiville is a 2-acre wetland village that is home to the National Amphibian Conservation Center.

The Zoo invited candidates ages 7-12 who live in Michigan to enter the race for Mayor of Amphibiville by submitting an essay of 100 words or fewer on what they can do to help amphibians.

In Trinity’s essay, she vows to educate her classmates about amphibians, encourage her neighbors to use natural fertilizer, help clean up local wetlands and promote her efforts on social media.

Amphibiville’s first-ever mayor, Nick Wrobel, 24, of Rochester, was on hand for the swearing-in ceremony, assisting Detroit Zoological Society Executive Director and CEO Ron Kagan with the honors.  Wrobel was 8 years old and in third grade when he became mayor in 2000, the year the National Amphibian Conservation Center opened.

In honor of her victory, a plaque bearing Trinity’s name and photo will be displayed in the National Amphibian Conservation Center throughout her term.  She also receives a plush frog and a one-year family membership to the Detroit Zoo.

The National Amphibian Conservation Center is a world-renowned center for amphibian conservation, care, exhibition and research.  The state-of-the-art facility features a spectacular diversity of frogs, toads, salamanders, newts and caecilians.  The Wall Street Journal dubbed the attraction “Disneyland for toads”.