Philadelphia Zoo Announces 250,000 Actions for Animals Initiative

To celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary and bring together its community, Philadelphia Zoo is issuing a challenge to help it complete 250,000 Actions for Animals before the end of 2026.

This campaign will not just save animals, but also create a cleaner and greener space for the humans that call Philadelphia and beyond home. Part of the Zoo’s mission is to share its passion for conservation to save wildlife, and this challenge is designed to get people thinking differently about the ways they can thrive alongside the natural world. Actions for Animals include activities like cleaning up litter, planting native plants, participating in wildlife surveys, and much more, including opportunities to partner with the Zoo on projects around its 42-acre campus. This challenge is a part of the hundreds of events celebrating America’s 250th anniversary in Philadelphia throughout 2026.

“As an American first, Philadelphia Zoo is proud to be a strong leader and dedicated advocate for protecting animals, people and habitats,” said President & CEO Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman. “While Philly will host a multitude of events and celebrations in 2026, we also want this year to be remembered as how we all came together to make differences for wildlife helping to ensure our own future. Philadelphia Zoo is a place where animals thrive and transformative memories are made. We can’t wait to see how the actions we can all take in 2026 make a better future where wildlife and people thrive together.”

“Philadelphia is a city that thrives on its underdog energy,” said Director of Mission Integration Dani Hogan. “The environmental issues the planet is facing can feel overwhelming, but how we decide to act will make a difference. It’s a tough problem, but we can solve it if we all work together. We know that the passion and creativity that make Philly amazing will be key factors in protecting and honoring the wildlife and habitats we all love. Our passion, creativity, and pride are going to change the world, one action at a time.”

What Counts as an Action for Animals?

For this challenge, an Action for Animals is anything that improves the lives of the humans, animals and habitats. A full list is further below, but some examples include:

• Picking up litter and ensuring it makes it into a trash receptacle
• Planting native plants that provide food and shelter for pollinating insects and animals
• Participating in wildlife surveys like bird and frog counts
• Switching to reusable shopping bags, water bottles and more
• Taking care of your neighbor’s garden while they’re out of town
• Taking someone birding for the first time
• Other ways to show love to our neighbors, animals, city, region and planet

How to Participate

At the Zoo

Throughout 2026, the Zoo will be hosting activities on its campus that will help reach the goal of 250,000 Actions for Animals. Stay tuned to the Zoo’s website and social media feeds for opportunities. Some of the Actions for Animals will include:

• Creating enrichment toys for the Zoo’s animals
• Creating a take-home bird feeder
• Participating in an on-campus bio blitz
• Contributing to conservation knowledge

In Your Neck of the Woods

Actions for Animals will fall under several categories, including:

• Habitat Creation and Restoration: cleanups, plantings, or anything else that creates new habitats or makes existing habitats better
• Contributing to Conservation Knowledge: wildlife surveys like bird counts or frog counts, bioblitzes, behavioral studies on wildlife
• Direct Action for Animals: helping a turtle across the road, making and putting out a bird feeder, creating enrichment for our animals, participating in ‘lights out’ migration events
• Sustainable Changes: Reducing your water usage by swapping out hardware, eliminating single-use plastic items
• Introducing Others to Nature: Taking someone to a nature preserve for the first time
• Being a Good Neighbor: Doing anything else that improves the lives of the humans and animals that live closest to you

* Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. The Zoo is hoping this can serve as a catalyst for inspiration.

How Will My Action for Animals be Counted?

All Actions for Animals must be submitted via a form on the Zoo’s website in order to be counted toward the 250,000 total. In the submission, the Zoo will ask for your name, email address, location the Action for Animals was completed, a brief, detailed description of what was done along with a photo. If your service was done at the Zoo, the Zoo will be keeping a tally there. The Zoo will use its discretion to add an act to the overall tally.

250 Gifts of Gratitude

As a thank you to those who support the Zoo toward reaching its goal, the Zoo will be giving out 250 Gifts of Gratitude to individuals and groups that submit Actions for Animals that really go above and beyond. Prizes will include things like memberships, Family 4-packs of tickets, Zoo gift cards, special animal experiences, Zoo Keys and more. Each month the Zoo will also feature a submission to highlight on its social media feeds.

How Will the Public Know if We Completed the Goal?

The Zoo will be keeping tally throughout the year and will have an updated number on the submission page.

The Zoo’s mission goes far beyond Philadelphia and is more than just wildlife. Whether planting flowers with its neighbors in Mantua or counting bats on the island of Rodrigues, the Zoo’s impact on wild places is making a difference.  The 250,000 Actions for Animals Challenge is a part of the hundreds of events celebrating America’s 250th anniversary in Philadelphia throughout 2026. The yearlong celebration encompasses major sporting events alongside cultural exhibitions and community programs that honor Philadelphia’s role as the birthplace of American democracy.