It's a zoo with teens in charge.

Byline: Lewis Taylor The Register-Guard

A farm doesn't sound like much of an attraction in a state filled with farms, but the newly christened Trillium Creek Family Farm exhibit at the Oregon Zoo aims to be something different.

For one thing, the animals here are not being bred for meat or fibers. Many of the cloven-footed creatures are rare livestock breeds and all are treated like zoo animals.

Also, this farm aims to be almost entirely run by teenagers.

"I think it's important to get teens involved in running the community," says Mia Reiger, the zoo's youth volunteer coordinator. "The only way they learn to make competent decisions is to do it."

The farm, which is part of the zoo's Great Northwest Exhibit, aims to be almost entirely teen-run within the next couple of years. Teens will supervise other teens, and eventually they will be the ones making many of the decisions, such as when to order more food or call the veterinarian.

Part petting zoo and part endangered species exhibit, the 18,000-square-foot farm is based on existing historic farms. Some of the animals include Pygora goats, gold-laced Wyandotte chickens, Indian runner ducks and hedgehogs. One goal is to highlight some of the rare livestock breeds that are dying out as farms switch to animals that yield more meat or fiber more quickly.

If the thought of a teenager in charge of a 250-pound Shetland sheep scares you, zoo administrators say teens are not only competent, but also invaluable. They provide a bridge between adults and smaller children, says Charis Henrie, the zoo's education program coordinator.

"They do an amazing job. They're articulate, they represent the zoo very well, they can explain the natural history, they can talk about the appropriate way to stroke a goat."

Many of the teens staffing the farm are part of the zoo's 300-member ZooTeen program. Launched in 1990, the program aims to give Portland area high school students experience in zoo-related fields.

The program also sharpens their public speaking skills by making them ambassadors of the zoo. The opportunity to get a firsthand look at zoo operations even has inspired some Lane County teens to join up.

"As long as I can remember, I've wanted to work with animals," says Chelsea Norris, 13, a freshman at South Eugene High School who volunteers twice a week. "I've changed to wanting to be a zookeeper and I thought this would be a good experience for me."

Because ZooTeen members are generalists, Norris will be spending only part of her summer internship on the Trillium Farm. She will also be speaking to visitors, helping with the care and feeding of animals and working in the pygmy goat area.

Along with the ZooTeens program, the zoo offers a winter internship for outstanding ZooTeens. That program will provide year-round staffing for the farm.

Reiger says many ZooTeens change their minds about wanting to become a zookeeper once they realize how much time and paperwork is involved.

"Kids look at Animal Planet and say, 'This is what I want to do,' ' Reiger says. "These guys don't understand that, in order to be a zookeeper, you have to report on every animal every day. Some of them get here and start cleaning up after animals and say, 'I don't think so.' '

Alisha Hoover, 17, a senior at North Eugene High School now volunteering as a ZooTeen, hasn't changed her mind about wanting to study zoology. Not even a messy goat corral could dash her enthusiasm.

"Cleaning up the mess is only part of it," Hoover says. "It's fun, I learn a lot and I get experience talking to zoo patrons."

Lewis Taylor can be reached at 338-2512 or ltaylor@guardnet .com.

ATTRACTION PREVIEW

Trillium Creek Family Farm

What: Newly opened interactive farm exhibit staffed by teens

Where: The Oregon Zoo, 4001 S.W. Canyon Road, Portland

How much: Admission is $9 for adults, $7.50 for seniors, $6 for children ages 3 to 11, free for infants

Also: For more information on internships at the Oregon Zoo go to www.oregonzoo.com