Page 5 - Gateways_Spring2021

Perspective

ne hundred years ago,
t
h
O e Chicago Zoological Society—
the private nonprofit organization that
operates Brookfield Zoo—was chartered.
It was February 7, 1921. Just two years
earlier, wealthy Chicago socialite Edith
Rockefeller McCormick had donated
83 acres of land to the Forest Preserve
District of Cook County for the creation
By Stuart D. Strahl, Ph.D.
President & CEO of a world-class, state-of-the-art zoo.
The Forest Preserve added more land
and the 216-acre Brookfield Zoo opened
to the public on July 1, 1934.
We are kicking off our celebration of the
Society’s centennial in this issue of Gateways.
The article “10 Things You Didn’t Know About Brookfield Zoo’s
Founder, Edith Rockefeller McCormick” was written by none other
than intrepid researcher and gifted author Andrea Friederici Ross.
She wrote Let the Lions Roar! The Evolution of Brookfield Zoo, and
the recently published Edith: The Rogue Rockefeller McCormick.
th
The year 2021 is also notable as the 50 anniversary of Brookfield
Zoo’s award-winning Volunteer Engagement program. Begun in 1971
with 20 volunteers, the program now averages 1,000 volunteers a year!
In 2019 alone, volunteers contributed 74,000 hours of service valued
at $1.9 million.
The Chicago Zoological Society has been a leader and an innova-
tor in the area of animal welfare. In 2008, the Center for the Science
of Animal Care and Welfare® was created. Working with professionals
from a variety of disciplines and using a holistic and science-based
approach, the Center’s researchers strive to optimize the welfare of
our animals and animals everywhere.
As you know, 2020 was an especially difficult year for nonprofit
institutions, including the Chicago Zoological Society and Brookfield
Zoo. We faced each challenge by drawing inspiration and strength
from our predecessors who navigated the greatest crises of the past 100
years with the support and generosity of the Society's members, donors,
trustees, and friends. Many of these challenges have continued into
this new year.
Please consider visiting CZS.org/AboveAndBeyond and making
a donation to our Above & Beyond Fundraising Campaign before
it comes to an end on March 31. Thank you so much for your
continued support.

BROOKFIELD ZOO | SPRING 2021 5