THE AKRON ZOO ENHANCES ... CONSERVATION EDUCATION COMMUNITY - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

We connect your life to wildlife MISSION while inspiring lifelong learning and conservation action. THE AKRON ZOO ENHANCES ... CONSERVATION EDUCATION COMMUNITY

WHERE HAVE WE BEEN? Since 2011, attendance at the Akron Zoo has grown over 14.7%. 400,000 ATTENDANCE 350,000 300,00 250,000 200,000 150,000 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Since receiving public funding in 2001 attendance grew from 114,139 to 402,143. 40% of our guests are from Summit County 60% reside in surrounding counties and states

SUMMIT COUNTY RETURN ON INVESTMENT $$$$ $ $$$$ The Akron Zoo has generated nearly $8 in impact for every $1 of levy support received since 2011. ($66.9 million invested, $506 million returned) * Marketing & Feasibility LLC, Study performed for the Akron Zoo, 2019

IMPACT Since 2011, the number of jobs supported throughout Summit County has grown by nearly 40% to over 850 full time equivalents. Since 2011, the Akron Zoo has had $5 0 6M an overall economic impact of over $506 million across Summit County. ECONOMIC ACTIVITY SINCE 2011 This amount is inclusive of direct, indirect and induced impacts. Since 2011, the Akron Zoo has 44.73% experienced a 44.73% increase in overall economic activity across Summit County. ECONOMIC ACTIVITY SINCE 2011 Actions that involve the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services at all levels within the Akron Zoo’s area of impact. * Marketing & Feasibility LLC, Study performed for the Akron Zoo, 2019

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES Your Akron Zoo is the place where kids love to learn, and every visit is an opportunity for a child to come nose-to-nose with perhaps the first lion or penguin they’ve ever seen.

WHERE KIDS LOVE TO LEARN 91,456 individuals served by Akron Zoo education programs in 2019

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES Akron Zoo is a leader in providing STEM (Science. Technology. Engineering. Math.) focused education opportunities for school age children. In 2019, the Akron Zoo... Served 81 school districts in Northeast Ohio. Welcomed 35,404 school children for class field trips . Provided 131 on grounds programs to over 6,420 people. Reached over 44,850 individuals through outreach programming .

CONSERVATION & SUSTAINABILITY The Akron Zoo is a leader in sustainable practices: • Received the national AZA Green Award in 2016 for its sustainability initiatives and impact. • First LEED building at a zoo east of the Rocky Mountains. • First LEED Silver exhibit campus at a zoo in North America. • First certified 4-star green restaurant in any zoo in North America. • First ‘Big Hanna’ composter in any zoo in North America.

SAVING SPECIES To help save endangered species from extinction, we participate in 46 species survival plans and 21 conservation projects. We are one of only 237 AZA-accredited zoos.

FIELD CONSERVATION • Work with IPE of Brazil to reforest important corridors to help Since 2011, the Akron Zoo has supported 29 different tamarins, tapir, jaguars and other species. conservation programs from all over the world and at home through the Akron Zoo Conservation Fund. Several programs • Protection of national parks and forest restoration in Madagascar. have been supported for multiple years with an average of 15 – • Participate in health assessments and monitoring of Humboldt 20 projects receiving support each year. penguins in Punta SanJuan. Conservation highlightsinclude: • Host citizens science projects annually, including the • Participate in spawning of coral off the coast of Florida to Christmas and Summer Bird Counts and FrogWatchUSA. help save • Released 60 Partula snails back into the wild on the Fiji Islandsto coral reefs. re-establish a species that’s been extinct in the wild since the • Support anti-poaching, population monitoring and 1990s. environmental education in Nepal through the Red Panda Network. WAZA: Wild Welfare Project Conservation Planning Specialist Group Red Wolf Coalition Red Panda American Eagle Foundation Network Turtle Survival Alliance Florida Aquarium Coral Study Snow Leopard Trust Toledo Zoo Felid Monitoring Akron/Hiram/Sylvan Partnership Instituto de Pesquisas Ecologicas Uncovering Medina Raptor Center Wildlife Conservation Paraguayan Diversity Society Asia Program FrogWatch USA Humboldt Penguin Protection AZP Christmas Bird Count Wildlife SOS Conservation Speakers Program Arrowhead Reptile Rescue God’s Little Critters Rescue Grizzly Ridge Aviary Study Partula Snail Lake Metroparks International Rhino Foundation Reintroduction Rebuilding the Pride Madagascar Fauna Project Ohio Biological Survey Amphibians & Reptiles and Flora Group Penitentiary Glen Wildlife Rehabilitation

PROMISE KEEPER The Akron Zoo is dedicated to delivering on its promise to create a first-class zoo for the residents of Summit County.

EVERYBODY’S ZOO There's something for everyone. • Snooze at the Zoo • ZooCamp • On-grounds programs • Field Trips • Behind-the-Scene Tours • Wild World Animal Show • Birthday Parties • Special Events • Group Rentals, Picnic Pavilions & Meeting Spaces • Membership • Museums for All • Certified Sensory Inclusive

A RESPONSIBLE STEWARD With levy funding, the zoo has been able to create new habitats. Now, 250 species and over 1,000 animals call the Akron Zoo home.

A RESPONSIBLE STEWARD • Barnhardt Family Welcome Center • Lehner Family Zoo Gardens • Penguin Point • Legends of the Wild • Komodo Kingdom Education Center • Conservation Carousel • Grizzly Ridge • Curious Creatures • Pride of Africa • Wild Asia (summer 2021) • More than doubled the number of animal habitats since 2000

A RESPONSIBLE STEWARD The Akron Zoo will be on the November 2020 ballot requesting a 0.8 mil renewal levy and 0.4 mil increase. This request will be $2.92 per month for the owner of a $100,000 home. This is the first time since our original levy passed 20 years ago that the zoo is asking for an increase.

A RESPONSIBLE STEWARD Every household in Summit County receives back their financial investment in the Akron Zoo through free admission granted during our annual Summit County Community Appreciation Days and other free days throughout the year.

SUPPORTING THE LEVY… Is an investment in education, wildlife and conservation. Increases science and STEM based education and outreach programs for kids, seniors and families. Increases involvement in species survival plans and conservation programs to educate kids and families and save endangered species.

SUPPORTING THE LEVY… Increases partnerships with schools and organizations across Summit County. Allows your Akron Zoo to provide more education, animals and exciting habitats, such as potential projects featuring giraffes.

THANK YOU! “ All of our efforts are focused on saving wildlife and wild places starting right here in Summit County, through education, conservation and community engagement & partnership. We deeply appreciate all the support of Summit County voters, residents and zoo visitors. Your support allows us to continue serving the community we love and the animals we care so deeply about .” Doug Piekarz, President & CEO

Questions Website: www.akronzoo.org E-Mail: info@akronzoo.org Phone: 330-375-2550 We would love to hear from you!