In the important area of conservation practices, your Zoo is thinking big and starting with smart, impactful, small ideas.  Thinking big, we have made a commitment to becoming energy neutral as an organization in 10 years or less. It will take many smart, simple and small steps to achieve this important goal, including more efficient lighting and air conditioning systems, as well as introducing renewable energy sources in our newer exhibits.

For example, our next major exhibit, the McNeil Avian Center scheduled to open in March 2009, will be powered by geothermal energy. An important small step. The Hamilton Family Children’s Zoo, scheduled to open in Spring 2010, will feature several buildings with environmentally-friendly, fertile  “green roofs”, and the exhibit area will have a state-of-the-art water collection system.

We will not only be increasing recycling efforts throughout the Zoo, but we will be reducing landfill waste through the use of more highly bio-degradable prepared food packaging, such as that served at Tiger Terrace and our other food outlets.

Many recognize that the Philadelphia Zoo was green long before it became commercially and culturally fashionable. We’re fine with that because we all must do our part in preserving and protecting our planet’s limited resources. Habitat preservation through careful use of those resources is the most effective way in which we can deliver on our mission to preserve wildlife here at home and around the world. I hope you will join us and I look forward to our continuing dialogue – in the Zoo gardens and online at dewan.vik@phillyzoo.org.