Lake Superior Zoological Society

TO PROVIDE CLOSE-UP ANIMAL EXPERIENCES THAT INSPIRE CONNECTIONS TO WILDLIFE AND ACTION TOWARD CONSERVATION IN OUR REGION AND AROUND THE WORLD.

ZOO SERVICES:FOLLOWING ITS MISSION, THE ZOO CONTINUES TO PROVIDE OUR GUESTS WITH CLOSE-UP ANIMAL EXPERIENCES THAT INSPIRE CONNECTIONS TO WILDLIFE AND ACTION TOWARD CONSERVATION IN OUR REGION AND AROUND THE WORLD. ONE OF THE WAYS WE DO THAT IS BY PROVIDING NEW ENGAGING AND EDUCATIONAL ANIMAL EXHIBITS THROUGHOUT THE ZOO. IN 2023 THE ZOO OPENED EIGHT NEW EXHIBITS INCLUDING BUILDING THE FIRST NEWLY CONSTRUCTED HABITAT FEATURING A RED PANDA. IN ADDITION TO NEW EXHIBITS, THE ZOO RENOVATED FOUR ANIMAL HABITATS: COTTON-TOP TAMARINS, CALLIMICO MONKEYS, BRAZILIAN RAINBOW BOA, AND BLUE-TONGUED SKINK. TO ENHANCE THE GUEST EXPERIENCE AND BRING VISITORS EVEN CLOSER TO OUR ANIMALS, WE BEGAN OFFER DAY-OF FEEDING OPTIONS WITH ANIMALS LIKE OUR BROWN BEARS AND RIVER OTTERS, AS WELL AS REVAMPED OUR BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR OFFERINGS.

PRESCHOOL:OUR NATURE-BASED PRESCHOOL SERVES CHILDREN AGES 33 MONTHS-5 YEARS OLD. WE PROVIDED FULL-TIME CARE (M-F FROM 8:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.) TO 22 CHILDREN AND PART-TIME CARE TO 16 CHILDREN OVER THE COURSE OF 2023. AS A NATURE-BASED PRESCHOOL, LSZS BRINGS TOGETHER THE TENANTS OF HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, WITH A FOCUS ON CONNECTING YOUNG CHILDREN TO ANIMALS AND NATURE FOR THE BENEFIT OF BOTH THE CHILD AND THE NATURAL WORLD. THE PRESCHOOL FOLLOWS AN EMERGENT, PLAY-BASED CURRICULUM WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROJECT-BASED LEARNING ROOTED IN THE CHILDREN'S INTERESTS AND DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS. DAILY WALKING FIELD TRIPS IN THE ZOO OFFER THE CHILDREN RICH EXPERIENCES WITH ANIMALS, NATURE PLAY, AND THE ZOO COMMUNITY. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES WITH FINANCIAL NEED.

EDUCATION:EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS OUR ZOO FULFILLS ITS MISSION AND FOSTERS ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION. WE GIVE PARTICIPANTS CLOSE-UP EXPERIENCES WITH ANIMALS TO HELP THEM FEEL EMPATHY, RESPECT, AND CONCERN FOR THAT ANIMAL AND OTHERS LIKE IT. EMOTIONAL ENGAGEMENT COMBINED WITH CONSERVATION MESSAGES HELP INSPIRE OUR AUDIENCES TO IMPROVE THE WORLD FOR ANIMALS AND THEIR NATURAL HABITATS. IN 2023, 5,825 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN 240 EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

MEMBER SERVICES:PROVIDING PERSONALIZED SERVICES TO OUR MEMBERS AND CREATING AWARENESS AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC REGARDING OUR MEMBER SERVICES, WHICH INCLUDE UNLIMITED GENERAL ADMISSION, DISCOUNTS ON CAFE AND GIFT SHOP PURCHASES, AS WELL AS GENEROUS DISCOUNTS ON CAMPS AND PARTY RENTALS. WE PARTICIPATE IN THE AZA RECIPROCAL PROGRAM AND THE ASTC PASSPORT PROGRAM ALLOWING OUR MEMBERS TO ENJOY FREE OR DISCOUNTED ADMISSIONS TO OVER 500 ZOOS, AQUARIUMS, MUSEUMS, AND SCIENCE CENTERS. MEMBERS RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE UPDATES ON ZOO EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, AND SPECIAL "MEMBERS ONLY" EVENTS ARE HOSTED IN APPRECIATION FOR THEIR SUPPORT.