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P. 5

Perspective






                                                                                  ake no little plans.”
                                                                                  With these words as inspiration,
                                                                       “MBrookfield Zoo Chicago launched
                                                                         an ambitious planning process to guide our
                                                                         journey toward the Zoo’s Centennial Celebration
                                                                         in 2034 and beyond. With the input and hard
                                                                         work of the Zoo’s Board of Trustees, staff, and
                                                                         hundreds of stakeholders, our groundbreaking
                                                             Next Century Plan was completed and released to the public

                                                             in July. The feedback has been incredibly positive!
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                                                             we believe there is hope and that we—as a leading zoological
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                                                             institution with a reputation for innovation and excellence—can
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                                                             make a profound impact on the conservation of wildlife and wild
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                                                             places. The Next Century Plan embodies our dedication and
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                                                               The Plan includes a 15-year campus plan, with further improve- -
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                                                             ments projected over 30 years. Besides advancing our conservation
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                                                             mission, nearly half of our grounds will be transformed, the lives
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                                                             of our animals will be greatly enriched, and the guest experience
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                                                             will surpass that had at any other zoo.
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                                                               The first phase of the four-phase Plan has already remade the Zoo
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                                                             t the completion of Tropical Forests. The $66 million project includes
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                                                                Don’t miss the article in this issue of Gateways that presents some
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                                                             highlights of the Next Century Plan. More details can be found at
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                                                               We thank you for all of your support and hope you will join us
                                                                                                           i
                                                                                                         l j
                                                                        o
                                                             o n t h e j o u r n e y t h a t l i e s a h e a d .
                                                             on the journey that lies ahead.
                                                             Dr. Michael J. Adkesson
                                                             President & CEO
                                                             Brookfield Zoo Chicago
                                        POLAR BEAR
                                                                            BROOKFIELD ZOO CHICAGO | WINTER 2024/25  5
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