Zoological Society Of Pittsburgh

TO BE A LEADER AND CONTRIBUTOR TO THE CONSERVATION OF ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES.

EDUCATIONANNUALLY, NEARLY 300,000 LEARNERS OF ALL AGES ENJOY THE ZOO'S POPULAR EDUCATION PROGRAMS, CLASSES, AND TEACHER WORKSHOPS. THESE PROGRAMS ALLOW PARTICIPANTS TO CLOSELY IDENTIFY WITH WILDLIFE, PLANTS, AND NATURAL HABITATS, PROVIDING A FIRM UNDERSTANDING OF THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF ALL LIVING THINGS.ZOO PROGRAMS IMPACT MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO VISIT THE ZOO, AND ALSO WHO CANNOT MAKE IT TO THE PARK ITSELF. ZOOMOBILES MADE NUMEROUS APPEARANCES AT SCHOOLS, NURSING HOMES, COMMUNITY FAIRS, MALLS, OUTLETS, LIBRARIES, AND GROUP GATHERINGS TO PROMOTE THE ZOO'S MANY CONSERVATION-EDUCATION PROGRAMS. PARTNERING WITH LOCAL VENDORS HAS ALLOWED THE ZOO TO OFFER MANY ASSEMBLY PROGRAMS FREE OF CHARGE AND CREATE MORE WAYS TO SERVE MORE STUDENTS. IN ADDITION, BY PROVIDING VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING TO STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND TEACHERS, NO INDIVIDUAL SHOULD MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND THEIR UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION FOR WILDLIFE AND OUR ECOSYSTEMS. THIS NEW OFFERING ALLOWED US TO DO VIRTUAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING IN ALL 50 STATES IN 2021.OUR POPULAR ZOO CAMP SUMMER PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AGES 2 TO 13 CONTINUES AS ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR ACTIVITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND THE ZOO IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR THE CONTINUED GROWTH OF THIS PROGRAM. SINCE 1999, THE KIDSCIENCE PROGRAM HAS PROVIDED PITTSBURGH AREA MIDDLE-SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH ENRICHING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES DESIGNED TO PROPEL FUTURE SCIENTISTS INTO THE FOREFRONT OF REAL ANIMAL BEHAVIOR RESEARCH. KIDSCIENCE STUDENTS HAVE HAD A REAL AND MEANINGFUL IMPACT ON MANY OF THE ZOO'S RESEARCH PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE WORK THAT LED TO THE BIRTH OF OUR ELEPHANT CALVES. FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS DO NOT IMPACT PARTICIPATION AND THE ZOO HAS AWARDED OVER 270 NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS TO QUALIFIED STUDENTS SINCE ITS INCEPTION. FOR MANY DECADES, THE ZOO TEEN PROGRAM HAS BEEN PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEENS AGES 14 TO 17 TO WORK AT THE ZOO DURING THE SUMMER AND LEARN MORE ABOUT ANIMALS WHILE GAINING THEIR FIRST WORK EXPERIENCES. PROGRAMS SUCH AS PIZZA WITH THE KEEPERS INTRODUCE HIGH SCHOOL-AGED YOUTH TO WHAT WORKING AT A ZOO AND WITH ANIMALS IS REALLY LIKE, POTENTIALLY SPRING-BOARDING THEM INTO REWARDING LIFELONG CAREERS.EDUCATION AT THE ZOO REACHES BEYOND WHAT CAN BE TAUGHT IN A CLASSROOM SETTING. OUR ENTIRE ZOO CAMPUS IS A LIVING CLASSROOM. AS ONE OF THE LARGEST YOUTH EMPLOYERS IN THE REGION, THE ZOO WORKS WITH A HOST OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND LOCAL SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE AT-RISK YOUTH AN OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE AND ON-THE-JOB LEARNING IN VIABLE POSITIONS AT THE ZOO. IN ADDITION, THE ZOO OFFERS INTERNSHIPS IN ALL AREAS OF THE FACILITY, INCLUDING THE MARKETING, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, EDUCATION, CONSERVATION RESEARCH, VETERINARY, AND HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENTS. OUTSIDE OF FORMAL CLASSES, PROGRAMS, EMPLOYMENT, AND INTERNSHIPS, MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC ARE EDUCATED WITH EVERY VISIT TO THE ZOO. WHETHER READING ON-GROUNDS SIGNAGE ABOUT THEIR FAVORITE ANIMALS, EXPLORING CONTENT IN THE ZOO'S APP, LEARNING MORE THROUGH THE ONE DEGREE OF CHANGE INITIATIVE THAT EDUCATES GUESTS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THEIR ACTIONS ON THE ENVIRONMENT WHILE ENCOURAGING SMALL LIFESTYLE CHANGES, OR GAINING AWARENESS ABOUT GREEN PRACTICES THROUGH EXPOSURE TO WIND TURBINES, SOLAR PANELS, RAIN GARDENS, AND GREEN ROOFS, THE ZOO STRIVES TO ENRICH THE KNOWLEDGE OF EVERY VISITOR THROUGH ITS OFFERINGS.

CONSERVATION & RESEARCHTHE PITTSBURGH ZOO & PPG AQUARIUM'S SCIENCE AND CONSERVATION PROGRAM LOOKS TO CONDUCT PROGRESSIVE AND INNOVATIVE PROJECTS WHILE ENGAGING AND SUPPORTING STAKEHOLDERS ON WILDLIFE CONSERVATION DIRECTIVES. BY DEVELOPING NOVEL APPROACHES TO PRESSING ISSUES, THE PROGRAM CONTINUES TO SUCCESSFULLY INCORPORATE LOCAL COMMUNITIES FOR LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY OF CRITICAL CONSERVATION EFFORTS. THE ZOO HAS PARTICIPATED IN AND FUNDED CONSERVATION RESEARCH PROGRAMS REGIONALLY, ON ALL SEVEN CONTINENTS, AND IN ALL FIVE OCEANS.THE PPG CONSERVATION & SUSTAINABILITY FUND WAS ESTABLISHED THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN PPG INDUSTRIES AND THE ZOO. THIS FUND IS DESIGNED TO ADVANCE THE MISSION OF THE ZOO BY AWARDING GRANTS BETWEEN $1,000 AND $3,000 TO CONSERVATION-ORIENTED PROJECTS BOTH LOCALLY AND AROUND THE WORLD. OVER THE PAST DECADE, MORE THAN 300 PROJECTS HAVE RECEIVED GRANTS THROUGH THIS PROGRAM. THERE'S MORE GOING ON AT THE PITTSBURGH ZOO & PPG AQUARIUM THAN MEETS THE EYE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO ANIMAL CONSERVATION. THE INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION CENTER, OFTEN REFERRED TO AS THE ICC, IS OPERATED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE ZOO. IT SITS ON 1,000 ACRES OF ROLLING HILLS IN SOMERSET COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. THE ICC IS THE ONLY FACILITY IN NORTH AMERICA'S EXCLUSIVELY DEDICATED TO AFRICAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION, EDUCATION, TRAINING, BREEDING, AND RESEARCH.THROUGH THE SEA TURTLE SECOND CHANCE PROGRAM, THE ZOO ACCEPTS INJURED SEA TURTLES AND HATCHLINGS WHO DIDN'T MAKE IT INTO GULF STREAM WATERS AND CARES FOR THEM UNTIL THEY ARE HEALTHY ENOUGH TO BE RELEASED BACK INTO THE WILD. THE ZOO IS AN IMPORTANT PARTICIPANT IN THIS PROGRAM BECAUSE IT IS AN INLAND INSTITUTION. MOST OF THE AQUARIUMS PARTICIPATING IN THE STSCP ARE LOCATED ALONG THE COAST, WHICH ALLOWS THEM TO TAKE IN TURTLES WHO CAN MAKE A SPEEDY RECOVERY. SOME HATCHLINGS AND INJURED TURTLES NEED LONG-TERM REHABILITATION. THESE ANIMALS ARE TRANSPORTED TO THE PITTSBURGH ZOO & PPG AQUARIUM FOR THEIR EXTENDED RECOVERY TIME, FREEING UP SPACE FOR FASTER RECOVERING TURTLES AT THE INSTITUTIONS ALONG THE COAST AND ALLOWING MANY MORE TURTLES TO BE REHABILITATED IN THE PROGRAM. THROUGH EDUCATIONAL DISPLAYS AND MEET-THE-KEEPER SESSIONS, VISITORS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT SEA TURTLES, AND HOW THEY CAN IMPACT THEIR CARE AND SURVIVAL IN THE WILD.BEYOND SPECIES-SPECIFIC PROGRAMS, SEVERAL ZOO RESIDENTS OFFER VALUABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESEARCH THAT CAN BE APPLIED TO THEIR WILD COUNTERPARTS. THE ZOO & AQUARIUM RAISES, OFTEN REHABILITATES, AND CARES FOR ANIMALS IN OUR PARK ENVIRONMENT ALLOWING THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESEARCH THEIR BEHAVIOR. THIS ALLOWS FOR VALUABLE INFORMATION TO BE COLLECTED THAT MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE THROUGH RESEARCH IN THE WILD ALONE.SECORE (SEXUAL CORAL REPRODUCTION) IS A GLOBAL NETWORK OF SCIENTISTS AND AQUARIUM PROFESSIONALS DEDICATED TO RESTORING AND CONSERVING CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEMS IN MEXICO, THE CARIBBEAN, AND THE PACIFIC OCEAN THROUGH RESEARCH AND EDUCATION. AMONG OTHER TASKS, A CRUCIAL COMPONENT OF THE NONPROFIT, COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM IS HELPING CORAL REPRODUCE; THEREBY ENSURING NEW POPULATIONS OF GENETICALLY DIVERSE CORAL JOIN THE EXISTING ECOSYSTEMS. THE ZOO SUPPORTS SECORE SCIENTIFICALLY AND TECHNICALLY AND PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN THE PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY OF SECORE ACTIVITIES.THE ZOO'S OPERATIONS ALSO SUPPORT CONSERVATION. SINCE 1995, VOLUNTEERS FROM THE PITTSBURGH ZOO & PPG AQUARIUM HAVE ADOPTED TWO MILES OF BUTLER STREET FROM THE RD FLEMING BRIDGE TO SLIGHTLY BEYOND THE HIGHLAND PARK BRIDGE. AS A RESULT OF EVERY SCHEDULED CLEANING, ZOO EMPLOYEES FILL APPROXIMATELY 50 TRASH BAGS WITH GARBAGE SUCH AS CIGARETTE BUTTS, SODA BOTTLES, AND FOOD WRAPPERS. CLEANING THIS ROADWAY JUST TWICE EACH YEAR, WE REMOVE APPROXIMATELY 1.5 TONS OF TRASH.THE PITTSBURGH ZOO & PPG AQUARIUM'S GREEN TEAM COMMITTEE TAKES CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRACTICES TO A NEW LEVEL. THE GREEN TEAM'S MISSION IS TO RESEARCH AND RECOMMEND HOW TO USE RESOURCES AND MANAGE WASTE EFFICIENTLY AND SUSTAINABLY WHILE OPERATING THE ZOO. THE TEAM STRIVES TO CREATE A CULTURE OF CONSERVATION FOR ZOO STAFF AND FOR THE VISITING PUBLIC. IMPROVEMENTS MADE BY THE GREEN TEAM INCLUDE UPGRADING TO ALL GREEN CLEANING PRACTICES IN ZOO FACILITIES, ADVOCATING FOR ENERGY-EFFICIENT INFRASTRUCTURE AND GREEN BUILDING DESIGN, IMPLEMENTING ADDITIONAL COMPOSTING AND RECYCLING OPTIONS, AND ESTABLISHING GREEN PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE DAVID L. LAWRENCE CONVENTION CENTER, PHIPPS CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS, THE NATIONAL AVIARY, GREENSTAR RECYCLING COMPANY, PPG PAINTS ARENA, AND THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF PITTSBURGH.AT THE ZOO, MOST OF THE ORGANIC WASTE IS RECYCLED INTO COMPOST AND USED IN LANDSCAPING THROUGHOUT THE PARK. THIS KEEPS THE WASTE OUT OF LANDFILLS SO THAT IT DOES NOT GENERATE CLIMATE-WARMING GASES AS IT WOULD IF IT WERE THROWN AWAY WITH OTHER GARBAGE, AND IT ALSO HELPS US TO PLANT AND MAINTAIN A BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE. THE COMPOST-ENRICHED SOIL REDUCES EROSION, ALLEVIATES SOIL COMPACTION, PROVIDES NUTRIENTS THAT HELP PLANTS GROW, AND CONTROLS DISEASE AND PEST INFESTATION IN PLANTS. THE COMPOSTING PROGRAM COMPLIMENTS OTHER RECYCLING PROGRAMS AT THE ZOO, INCLUDING WATER, CARDBOARD, BATTERIES, CANS, BOTTLES, PAPER, AND CELL PHONES.WHETHER FUNDING OR PARTICIPATING IN PROJECTS IN THE WILD, CONDUCTING RESEARCH WITH OUR RESIDENT ANIMALS, OR IMPLEMENTING ECO-FRIENDLY PRACTICES THAT MAKE AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH IS AN ESSENTIAL PIECE OF EVERYTHING WE DO AT THE ZOO.

RECREATIONOPEN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WITH THE EXCEPTIONS OF THANKSGIVING DAY, CHRISTMAS DAY, AND NEW YEAR'S DAY, THE ZOO HOSTS NUMEROUS EVENTS FOR COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL GROUPS. WITH FULLY ADA-ACCESSIBLE FACILITIES, THE PROVISION OF OPEN SPACE FOR PUBLIC RECREATION, SEVERAL HISTORICALLY PRESERVED PUBLIC LANDMARKS, AND 8,000 ANIMALS REPRESENTING MORE THAN 900 SPECIES ALONG WITH FOLIAGE FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE EARTH, THE ZOO OFFERS SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR EVERY UNIQUE INTEREST OF EACH OF THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VISITORS FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS WHO ENJOY TRIPS TO THE ZOO ANNUALLY. TO INCREASE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, HUNDREDS OF SPECIAL EVENTS AND PROMOTIONS GEARED TOWARDS THE GENERAL PUBLIC, FAMILIES, SPECIAL NEEDS GROUPS, COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL GROUPS, AND ZOO MEMBERS ARE CONDUCTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. SPECIAL EVENTS HELD DURING THE DAYTIME AND EVENING ARE DESIGNED TO ENGAGE VISITORS OF VARYING LEVELS AND INTERESTS. THESE EVENTS INCLUDE DIVERSE THEMES SUCH AS NEW BABY CELEBRATIONS, ANIMAL-CENTRIC EVENTS THAT FOCUS ON INDIVIDUAL SPECIES, A 5K RACE CALLED ZOOZILLA, ADULT-ONLY EVENING ENGAGEMENTS, AND HOLIDAY-THEMED EXTRAVAGANZAS SUCH AS A HALLOWEEN-THEMED EVENT CALLED ZOOBOO. DREAM NIGHT, AN INVITE-ONLY SPECIAL EVENT, WAS STARTED IN 2006 THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PITTSBURGH. THIS EVENT INVITES CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND CHRONIC HEALTHCARE NEEDS ALONG WITH THEIR FAMILIES ENJOY A PRIVATE ZOO VISIT AFTER HOURS FREE OF CHARGE. FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS WE HAVE OFFERED THIS IN A SAFE DRIVE-THRU FORMAT TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SUCH A CRITICAL EVENT FOR OUR COMMUNITY. THE PLETHORA OF PROGRAMS CURRENTLY OFFERED IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE AND GROW IN THE COMING YEARS.IN ORDER TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY FOR EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF FINANCIAL MEANS, THE ZOO DESIGNATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR FREE VISITS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, INCLUDING A DAY WHERE ALL VISITORS RECEIVE FREE ADMISSION. THERE ARE VARIOUS OTHER SPECIAL PROMOTIONS OFFERING DISCOUNTED ADMISSION AS WELL. MILITARY VETERANS, ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY MEMBERS, AND RESERVISTS RECEIVE FREE ADMISSION EVERY DAY. PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, OR EMOTIONALLY CHALLENGED PERSONS ARE GRANTED FREE ADMISSION ANY TIME THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, AS ARE GROUPS SERVING THE DISADVANTAGED, WHICH RECEIVE FREE ADMISSION THROUGH OUR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.THE ZOO DONATES A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF ITS SERVICES TO BENEFIT THE LOCAL AND REGIONAL COMMUNITY, WHERE THE VAST MAJORITY OF ITS VISITORS RESIDE. OPERATIONS ARE ENTIRELY FREE FROM PROFIT MOTIVE, WHICH ALLOWS THE ZOO TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND THE POSITIVE INITIATIVES IT FACILITATES WHILE EXPLORING NEW WAYS TO SUPPORT AND ENRICH THE COMMUNITY THAT IT SERVES AND OF WHICH IT IS AN ICONIC PART.