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 ENCOUNTERS THAT INSPIRE CONNECTIONS TO WILDLIFE AND INSPIRE 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. ONE OF THE WAYS WE DO THAT IS THROUGH ENGAGING AND EDUCATIONAL ANIMAL EXHIBITS. IN 2021 THE ZOO COMPLETED TWO NEW MAJOR EXHIBITS, A MIXED SPECIES EXHIBIT HOUSING RAVENS AND A NORTH AMERICAN PORCUPINE, AND A COMPLETELY RENOVATED EXHIBIT FOR TWO BALD EAGLES THAT HAD BEEN DAMAGED IN A WINTER STORM IN 2019. THE RAVEN, PORCUPINE AND BALD EAGLE EXHIBITS HIGHLIGHT ANIMALS FROM THE ZOO'S REGION, CONNECTING VISITORS WITH ANIMALS THEY CAN SEE IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD. OTHER NEW EXHIBITS THE ZOO OPENED IN 2021 INCLUDE A CANE TOAD EXHIBIT IN THE AUSTRALIA BUILDING THAT RAISES AWARENESS ABOUT INVASIVE SPECIES. IN THE ZOO'S MAIN ZOO CENTRAL BUILDING AN AXOLOTL AND A BLUE-TONGUED SKINK EXHIBIT WERE BOTH ADDED IN 2021. OTHER NEW ANIMALS ADDED TO THE ZOO'S COLLECTION IN 2021 INCLUDE A CHINESE GORAL, LAUGHING KOOKABURRA, VEILED CHAMELEON, CALLIMICO, DYEING DART FROGS, GREEN AND BLACK DART FROGS, AND KUNEKUNE PIGS. MANY OF THESE NEW INDIVIDUALS WILL BE PART OF BREEDING PROGRAMS WITHIN THE ZOO AND WILL HELP EDUCATE VISITORS ON ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES AND WHAT ROLE THEY CAN PLAY IN HELPING SAVE THEM FROM EXTINCTION.

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. THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAS CLOSED FROM APRIL 2020-MAY 2021 DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THE EDUCATION DIRECTOR RETURNED IN EARLY 2021 TO CREATE FREE VIRTUAL PROGRAMS AND EDUCATIONAL SUBSCRIPTION BOXES. ONE FULL-TIME EDUCATOR AND THREE SEASONAL EDUCATORS RETURNED IN MAY 2021. SAFETY MEASURES THAT MITIGATED THE RISK OF COVID-19 EXPOSURE ALLOWED US TO PROVIDE SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMMING TO 127 CHILDREN AND 27 TEENS. WE BEGAN OFFERING "ZOOMOBILE" OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND ONSITE SCHOOL GROUP PROGRAMS AGAIN IN THE FALL OF 2021.

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.