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Q: Do you recall your own first feelings of leading, state-of-the-art technology Inside Our Zoo
A:connection to nature? (our Species Conservation Toolkit
Initiative) to predict future conserva-
My brother and I were fortunate tion issues. And, as a world-renowned
to live in a town bordering the natural animal care facility and training insti-
areas of Long Island Sound and Pelham tution for the next generation of educa-
Bay Park in New York. We roamed out- tors and veterinarians, we use—and 7 Number of years
side for hours each day, catching tadpoles, help develop—state-of-the-art medical in a row as Illinois'
hiking through swamps, camping in the technology and equipment. most popular
woods, discovering owl roosts and dissect- ticketed outdoor
ing pellets, fishing, and more. And just 20 Finally, of particular importance attraction.
minutes away was the Bronx Zoo. We also to me, we are a zoo for everyone. From
spent summers at my grandparents’ farm the diversity of our staff, to the care
on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. There was we take in creating habitats and envi- 8.5 Years
simply no question whether I was connect- ronments suitable for each animal, to hvAaaoaonmvfsluetoasrinudaemrgtnuveeelteetrd
ed to nature; I was immersed in it. These the delivery of thoughtful and inclusive
are the experiences that eventually led me programming, we are committed to
to dedicating my life to conservation move- making people of all abilities, back-
ments—first in South American rain for- grounds, and perspectives feel welcome.
ests, then in Florida’s Everglades, and now And, we are taking that commitment
here, in Brookfield, Illinois! further by sharing our expertise and 1,28WV$75oe22l,uL2.n2Vo2vtMoee8elOruHVsun!aortlueureesrs H1Mo1ue5sm,e2hb8oe8lrds
serving as a national model to show
Q: The world is a constantly changing how that’s possible. (Up 2.5%
from 2016)
place. How has the Society evolved to address new Q: Looking ahead, what do you
A:realities and remain relevant in today's world? envision the role of the Society to be?
While we remain a tremendously
popular destination, providing families A: Our mission is more than
and school groups an opportunity to words on paper. It is a living thing,
connect with animals, we are much more. woven into every activity, project,
We know that not everyone can get to endeavor, and innovation. We are G2u.e3sMts
Brookfield, Illinois. Working with com- here to inspire conservation leadership
munity leaders, we reach out to residents by connecting people with wildlife,
in Chicago’s underserved neighborhoods and that’s a constant—our North Star.
and provide them with programming and At the same time, we recognize that to
activities in their own libraries, schools, remain relevant, we’ll always need to
and community centers. We provide a learn, adjust, course-correct, and
continuum of educational programming evolve, as we have since we opened
that follows children practically from the our doors in 1934.
moment they are born through college and We work hard to establish and BROOKFIELD ZOO
into adulthood. maintain relationships in fields ranging irsephroemseenttoin4g,658549asnpiemciaelss.,
from animal care to early childhood
Many people don’t know that, in part- development, to deepen connections
nership with colleges and universities, we here in our own Chicago-area neigh-
provide several certification, professional borhoods and with conservation
development, and degree programs along partners on every continent on Earth.
with veterinary residencies and a new fel- By paying close attention, we have
lowship program that you can read more confidence that we will continue to
about on page 32. build a conservation organization
that can train the next generation
Understanding that this generation of while inspiring and engaging
young people are digital natives, we have children and families. █
embraced social media, new platforms, and
technologies to reach, inform, and inspire
them. We’ve devised our own industry-
BROOKFIELD ZOO | SUMMER 2018 31
