Erie Zoo

The Zoo's purpose is to nurture an appreciaiton for conservation through meaningful educational experiences. The Zoo first joined the International Species Inventory System in 1975 and began supporting its first Species Survival Plan in 1985. 38 years later, the Zoo is proud to actively participate in over 20 Species Survival Plans by partnering with like-minded zoos and aquariums to foster healthy animal breeding programs grounded in animal well-being, science and research. These partnerships continue the first pillar of the Zoo's mission by proactively supporting the conservation of endangered species. Meaningful educational experiences comprise the second pillar of the Zoo's mission through multiple education-based opportunites including on-site programming (including classes and school-age camp programs, internships, animal meet-&-greets, behind-the-scene tours, keeper presentations and animal training presentations), signage, outreach programming (including schools, libraries and other regional organizations) and virtual experiences utilizing the ZOOM platform to foster further mission reach.

Rink - Our Flo Fabrizio Ice Center is used by Erie Youth Hockey and the Westminster Skating Club as a practice facility to teach youngsters to skate.

Education - Our education programs are offered on grounds for 6 month olds up to adults as well as off grounds to pre K to high school students. Our in house programming offers a variety of classes from our Zootots programs to our Teacher's Workshops which are eligible for Act 48 credits. We also offer classes that can be taken while on a group trip here at the Zoo. Each class is tailored especially for the age level by teaching different categories related to the same topic. Our outreach programs are offered in much the same way, having different topics for a specific age level. Both group classes and outreach are designed to meet certain PA Standards for Science and Technology, PA Standards for Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, or PA Standards for Environment and Ecology. In doing this we are able to ensure the content of our classes are in line with our State's standards. All classes offered by the Zoo are designed to spread our message of conservation and to educate the public about both our animals and animals in the wild as well as teach important science topics.