Houston Zoo Inc
Houston Zoo Inc
Houston Zoo Inc
Programs
Program 1 [2020]
Houston Zoo, Inc. (HZI) is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), America's leading accrediting organization for zoos and aquariums. AZA accredits only those institutions that have achieved the highest standards for animal and veterinary care, safety practices, education, wildlife conservation and science.HZI is one of 241 AZA-accredited institutionsessential to accomplishing its mission to connect communities with animals and inspire action to save wildlife. HZI achieves this guided by the following principles: 1) Be a zoo for all; 2) Provide exemplary animal care, assuring outstanding animal welfare; 3) Deliver a smart, fun, inspiring guest experience; 4) Be the leading environmental education resource in Texas; 5) Inspire broad community support and collaborations; 6) Change behaviors to help protect wildlife; 7) Create a workplace culture that embodies respect, empowerment, teamwork, and personal development; 8) Employ best business practices and sound financial management; 9) Ensure safety for guests, staff and the animals in our care; and 10) Operate sustainably and set an example for others.HZIs animal collection is among the largest and most well-rounded in the nation, providing our guests with opportunities to enjoy and learn about the diversity of the natural world. HZIs veterinary team is also among the best in the nation responsible for an ambitious preventive medicine program that includes routine health exams, vaccinations, and ongoing health surveillance. HZI is recognized as a leader in the global movement to save wildlife, including several Texas native species such as Attwaters Prairie Chicken, Houston Toad, Whooping Crane and Kemp Ridley Sea Turtle.Covid-19 created significant challenges in 2020, which required HZI to pivot mid-March from a rapid growth plan to one of cost containment, temporary closure, curtailment of events and programs. At the same time, it required significant revenue, program and communications innovations. Year-end results demonstrated HZIs resiliency and the Board and staffs unwavering commitment to excellence despite hardship.On March 14, HZI closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reopening June 3. Receipt of a Paycheck Protection loan allowed retention of all staff through June 30, but an anticipated multi-million-dollar revenue shortfall required significant reductions to labor-related and other costs, deferrals of planned capital projects and repairs, and adoption of innovative ways to engage donors and the public. HZI launched virtual campaigns, events and innovative vehicles to keep the public informed and engaged, for example, virtual Keeper Chats designed to convey appreciation for HZI animals and the need to conserve them in the wild. HZIs Centennial Master Plan, a multi-year effort to construct conservation-minded, multi-species exhibits for the public and make critical improvements to its 100-year-old infrastructure, overcame pandemic-related construction challenges to complete the South American Pantanal exhibit. This immersive, 4.5-acre project (opened in October 2020) highlights the extraordinary biological diversity of the worlds largest freshwater wetland with multiple exhibits, featuring jaguars, giant anteaters, giant river otters, anacondas, and more, with a focus on conservation efforts in the Pantanal and HZIs multi-year support of those programs.Under the guidance of the Houston Health Department, HZI also implemented wide-ranging protocols to mitigate Covid-19 transmission by protecting guests, staff and animals. Measures included timed ticket entry, contactless transactions, hand sanitizer throughout the grounds, physical distance signage, masking indoors and much more. Though attendance was limited due to pandemic-related capacity constraints, almost 21% of guests visited the Zoo free of charge or at a heavily discounted price through HZI's multifaceted approach to ensure all Houstonians, regardless of means, have access. Lone Star cardholding guests could bring 2 adults and 3 children for $6 each, a 70% discount off regular price; and Military ID holding guests could bring up to 2 adults and 3 children at a 50% discount. 29,275 Lone Star Card and Military ID holding guests took advantage of these programs. HZI also provided free admission to 11,196 college students attending the four local universities in Houston. Total attendance was 1,530,721 during 2020, of which 42,829 took advantage of Free First Tuesdays. Over 6 million people visited HZIs website during 2020 to take advantage of virtual content like Keeper Chats and calls to action for saving animals in the wild.380 adult volunteers donated 11,288 hours to HZI by participating in activities from animal care and horticulture to administration, event support, education and conservation. And volunteers kept 108 lbs of single-use plastic out of the environment through Take Action at Home challenges, which proved an effective way to engage volunteers who werent able to be on the grounds due to the pandemic.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$37.8MProgram 2 [2020]
HZIs Wildlife Conservation Program is a critical mission component and connects communities with animals to inspire wildlife saving action. In 2020, HZIs Wildlife Conservation Program supported 30 partnerships protecting wildlife in 16 countries, including the United States, Central and South America, the Galapagos Islands, Africa and Asia. Regionally, HZI worked with local, state and federal organizations and local communities to support wildlife and habitat research and conservation measures. Reintroduction programs for the endangered Houston Toad included a nearly 1 million toad egg release in Bastrop County with USFWS and Texas State University partners. Work to reintroduce Texass most critically endangered bird, the Attwaters Prairie Chicken back into native habitat continued at the Attwaters Prairie Chicken National Refuge in Sealy, TX. And 2020 marked HZIs fourth year of support for Whooping Crane recovery along the Central Texas coast. Efforts include habitat protection along with community outreach and awareness programs. All HZI conservation programs are based on close, long-term working partnerships and include habitat protection along with community outreach and awareness programs to create the greatest possible impact. Local partners include: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas State University, NOAA Marine Fisheries, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Galveston Bay Foundation, Attwaters Prairie Chicken National Refuge, NASAs Johnson Space Center and many others.Internationally, HZIs conservation efforts are focused on critical regions and species linked to the animals in its collection. This is accomplished through partnerships with leading conservationists, organizations, zoos and aquariums around the world. The connection between HZIs partners and its collection is typified by the Pantanal exhibits focus on efforts in Brazil to protect key species such as Tapirs, Giant Anteaters, Giant Otters and Jaguars. By effectively communicating this connection, Zoo guests can see the purchase of their admission and memberships as critical support for wildlife across the globe. Another major focus is directed at reducing threats to wildlife affected by plastic pollution. In fiscal year 2020 alone, HZI removed 1,080 lbs. of trash, 120 lbs. of monofilament fishing line and 500 lbs. of plastic for recycling from jetties in Galveston, protecting both sea turtles and shorebirds from potential entanglement.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$2.7MProgram 3 [2020]
The Covid-19 pandemic forced HZIs Education programs to pivot to a virtual format during 2020. Camp Zoofari, an immersive summer day camp for ages 4-14, was offered three weeks as a virtual camp in August with 252 campers from 24 different Texas cities and New Mexico. And while all school field trips were suspended due to pandemic-related school closures, HZI offered free virtual learning experiences for 26 Houston-area Saving Wildlife Partnership Schools, as well as paid virtual school programs for schools looking to supplement learning outcomes. Including in Texas, 180 programs reached 9,215 students in 17 states from New York to California and Washington.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$963.6K
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