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I t can sometimes seem like a bit of a grim picture:
the planet is in the midst of its sixth mass extinc-
tion, and every year, thousands of species vanish
from our world forever. Increasing urbanization has
left many individuals disconnected from the natural
world, either unaware of the planet’s decreasing
biodiversity or unsure how they can help.

It’s one reason conservation organizations like
the Chicago Zoological Society are so important—
we are leading the charge in inspiring conservation
leadership, engaging our communities, and restoring
people’s connection with wildlife and nature.

Individuals can make a difference, too. In addition
to changes that we can all make in our daily lives,
once in a while, there comes around an individual so
special that he or she changes the field of conservation
work entirely.

Bob Lacy, the Society’s senior conservation scientist
emeritus, is one of those individuals. For more than
30 years, Lacy has served as a champion for conserva-
tion both at the Society and around the globe. He has
authored over 200 scientific publications, and has
developed several software programs to help with
conservation planning. His most recently developed
Species Conservation Toolkit Initiative is available
free to users worldwide, and is internationally used
to guide population management for animals in the
wild and under professional care.

“To say that Bob has contributed to the field of
conservation would be a major understatement,” said
Dr. Stuart Strahl, President & CEO of the Society.
“He is a dedicated conservation scientist who has
defined the careers of hundreds of his peers and saved
a plethora of species through use of his software tools.”

In January, Lacy officially retired from his role at
the Society, but he leaves a lasting impact both at our
organization and around the world. Here, we talk with
Lacy and learn a little more about his life and legacy,
and what we can all do to help endangered species and
the planet.

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