Houston Zoo

Houston Zoo, Inc. (HZI) is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), America's leading accrediting organization for zoos and aquariums. AZA accredits only those institutions that have achieved the highest standards for animal well-being and veterinary care, safety practices, conservation education, habitat restoration, wildlife conservation, and science. Continued on Schedule OHZI is one of 237 AZA-accredited institutions and one of only nine institutions to receive a perfect accreditation score -- essential to accomplishing its mission to connect communities with animals and inspire action to save wildlife. HZI does this guided by the following principles: 1) Be a zoo for all; 2) Provide exemplary animal care, assuring outstanding animal well-being; 3) Deliver a smart, fun, inspiring guest experience; 4) Be the leading environmental education resource in Texas; 5) Inspire broad community support and collaborations; 6) Change behaviors to help protect wildlife; 7) Create a workplace culture that embodies respect, empowerment, teamwork, and personal development; 8) Employ best business practices and sound financial management; 9) Ensure safety for guests, staff and the animals in our care; and 10) Operate sustainably and set an example for others. HZI's animal collection is among the largest and most well-rounded in the nation, providing our guests with opportunities to enjoy and learn about the diversity of the natural world. HZI's veterinary team is also among the best in the nation responsible for an ambitious preventive medicine program that includes routine health exams, vaccinations, and ongoing health surveillance. HZI is recognized as a leader in the global movement to save wildlife, including several Texas native species such as Attwater's Prairie Chicken, Houston Toad, Whooping Crane and Kemp Ridley Sea Turtle. HZI's Centennial Master Plan, a $150 million multi-year initiative to construct conservation-minded, multi-species exhibits for the public, completed Galapagos Islands, the first major exhibit of its kind to showcase the remarkable wildlife of this legendary island chain. Opened in April 2023, this exhibit immerses Zoo guests in an environment evoking the archipelago's inimitable landscapes and ocean habitats, exemplifying the wonders of unique species, the delicate balance of ecosystems, and the pressing need for conservation action. In keeping with its mission to be a "Zoo for All", the demographics of Zoo guests closely mirrors the demographics of Houston. HZI takes pride in its vital presence in the community and cultivates community engagement utilizing traditional marketing mediums (television, print, radio, outdoor) as well as digital and social media. Attendance of two million plus visitors, "Zoo for All" initiatives provided free and steeply discounted admissions to more than 66% of Zoo visitors in 2023 via the Zoo's monthly Free Tuesdays program, Lone Star card program, military and student discount programs and school group programs. Attendance totaled 2,127,218 in 2023. HZI Community Support consists of adult, teen, and Master Naturalist volunteer hours. In 2023, 428 volunteers donated 38,267 hours to HZI by participating in activities from animal care and horticulture to administration, event support, education, and conservation.

Providing diverse learning experiences, the Houston Zoo's Conservation Education Department communicates the Zoo's mission to cultivate a community of citizens interested, aware, equipped, and ready to take action to save wildlife. Core programs include Camp Zoofari, Zoo Crew teen programs, Saving Wildlife School Partnerships and Zoo Overnights. In addition to these core programs, our interpretive staff and volunteers continued their roaming storytelling on Zoo grounds, which included over 567,744 meaningful interactions with guests in 2023.In total during this reporting period, the Houston Zoo's Conservation Education Department personnel reached approximately 579,906 guests and program participants. Continued on Schedule O The Zoo's conservation education programs offer a continuum of learning from birth to adulthood including fee-based educational programs, on-site live interpretation, adult volunteers, and interpretive planning. Fee-based programs include family programs, teen programs, summer camp, and overnights. Camp Zoofari, a popular summer program at the Zoo, provides ages 6-12 with immersive experiences led by our professional camp guides.The Houston Zoo values being a "Zoo for All." Conservation Education supports this value by offering scholarships to offset the costs for weeklong summer camp experiences for need-based children ages 6-12. These scholarships ensure that children of all backgrounds can explore the Zoo, connect with each other, and learn about how to take action to save wildlife and bring those lessons home to family and friends across Houston. In addition, we partner with school campuses across the Greater Houston region to support students in their wildlife-saving initiatives at no cost to the school or students, many of whom are from underserved communities. 70% of our school partners are Title 1 and eight of our partner campuses are in Justice 40 communities. These are disadvantaged communities that have been marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. The Houston Zoo also awards college scholarships to our Zoo Crew teens matriculating into college and awards financial assistance to teens for field conservation skills development through our global conservation partners. The Houston Zoo also offers outreach ZooMobile programs throughout the year at no cost to Houston-area community partners.Summer Camp scholarships: 181 campersSaving Wildlife School Partnerships: 1,955 students and educatorsZooMobiles: 12 programs reaching 375 Houston community membersZoo Crew teen college scholarships: 4 teensZoo Crew teen field conservation scholarships: 3 teens

HZI's Wildlife Conservation Program is a critical mission component and connects communities with animals to inspire wildlife saving action. In 2023, HZI's Wildlife Conservation Program supported 35 partnerships protecting wildlife in 17 countries, including the United States, Central and South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia.Continued on Schedule ORegionally, HZI worked with local, state and federal organizations and local communities to support wildlife and habitat research and conservation measures. Reintroduction programs for the endangered Houston Toad included a 1 million plus toad egg release in Bastrop County with USFWS and Texas State University partners. Work to reintroduce Texas's most critically endangered bird, the Attwater's Prairie Chicken, back into its native habitat continued at the Attwater's Prairie Chicken National Refuge in Sealy, TX. And 2023 marked HZI's seventh year of support for Whooping Crane recovery along the Central Texas coast. Efforts include habitat protection along with community outreach and awareness programs. All HZI conservation programs are based on long-term close working partnerships and include habitat protection along with community outreach and awareness programs to create the greatest possible impact. Local partners include Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas State University, NOAA Marine Fisheries, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Galveston Bay Foundation, Attwater's Prairie Chicken National Refuge, NASA's Johnson Space Center, and many others.Internationally, HZI's conservation efforts are focused on critical regions, habitats and species linked to the animals in its collection. This is accomplished through partnerships with leading conservationists, organizations, zoos, and aquariums around the world. The connection between HZI's partners and its collection is typified by the Pantanal exhibit's focus on efforts in Brazil to protect key species such as Tapirs, Giant Anteaters, Giant Otters, and Jaguars. By effectively communicating this connection, Zoo guests can see the purchase of their admission and memberships as critical support for wildlife across the globe. Another major focus is directed at reducing threats to wildlife affected by plastic pollution.