For the 2025 Bioneers Conference, Giant Puppets Save the World, led by puppet maker and Director Toni Tone Mikulka-Chang, will present an immersive installation celebrating local pollinators. Featuring hummingbirds, monarch butterflies, a caterpillar, and a chrysalis, the installation highlights the ecological importance of these species and their connection to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

CelloJoe will provide live music, enhancing the experience with original compositions and lyrics about cooperation and care for the planet. Visitors will interact with the puppets, guided by expert puppeteers who will demonstrate how to operate the rod-supported creations. This engaging and visually stunning installation invites participants to connect with nature and take meaningful steps toward protecting vital pollinators.

Toni Tone Mikulka-Chang’s handcrafted puppets, created using sustainably farmed silk, bamboo, reed, recycled materials, and papier-mâché with nontoxic processes, serve as powerful symbols of hope, collaboration, and environmental awareness. Through this installation, Giant Puppets Save the World aims to inspire action and foster a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of all living things.

Location: Zellerbach Theater Lobby & Patio following the morning main-stage program