Louisville Zoo Annual Report 2017-2018 | Page 14

CONNECTING. EDUCATING. INSPIRING. When it comes to improving conservation of the earth and its wildlife, education is everything. At the same time, the opportunity to connect with nature, especially for those who don’t often get such opportunities, can prove wonderful for the mind and the spirit. A top priority of the Louisville Zoo’s strategic plan is to increase informal education opportunities for our community to engage and connect with its Zoo. Our immediate focus is on creating connections with underserved audiences through field trips, online education resources and tools for teachers, outreach visits, and grant-funded programs. HAPPY CAMPERS Our safari day campers got the chance to explore their Zoo — another sold-out year, with the ever-popular ZooVet Camp and Behind-the-Scenes Camp selling very quickly. OUR LIVING CLASSROOM Since its inception in 1998, the grant-funded School at the Zoo program has given over 16,000 local students the opportunity to foster life science and other important skills. With a focus on engaging students at an early age in biological, environmental, and conservation science and reading, the program has transitioned over the last few years from a one-week experience to a full 9-month immersion program. While helping to spark interest in animal welfare and conservation, School at the Zoo also nurtures the development of critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a Twin sisters Mira and Kaylee Matthews, the winners of our camp t-shirt design contest. “One day in the future if we don’t do anything about it, other people won’t be able to see and share this same moment.” – Kaylee Matthews deeper appreciation for the beauty of nature. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Chynoweth Dawn Cissell-Browne Mr. and Mrs. William H. Clark, Jr. Mr. Eric A. Clark Ms. Jennifer Clark Dr. and Mrs. John P. Click Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Coin Ms. Julia K. Cole Mr. Zackery Colin Mr. and Mrs. Casey Collins Jamie Colvin Mr. and Mrs. Dirk R. Combs 14 Ms. Catherine Compton Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Connolly Ms. Sharon Coogan Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery S. Coomes Rebecca Costisick Mr. William Courtney, Jr. James A. Cox Mr. and Mrs. Gerald S. Craig Mrs. Virginia R Croket Ms. Virginia R. Crossett and Mr. Mark Thompson Mr. and Mrs. Beavin R. Cundiff, Jr. Mr. Blake M. Cundiff Dr. Andrew Daily and Dr. Stephanie Dailey Ms. Elizabeth Dallenbach The Dant Family Mrs. Bethany Darrall Ms. Nancy F. Davidson Mr. and Mrs. Stephen C. Day Ms. Constance M. Dearing Mr. and Mrs. William H. Detenber Ms. Judy B. Dillander Ms. Anne G. Discher Heather Dishon Mr. and Dr. Charles W. Dobbins, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Dobbins Mr. and Mrs. Douglas M. Dowell, Sr. Mrs. Margaret A. Downs Ms. Alexis Dufilho Ms. Christy Dunaway Mr. and Mrs. Keith F. Dunn Travis L. Dunn Mr. and Mrs. Don Dunn Ms. Chesala Durnal Mr. and Mrs. Mark Dutrow Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth H. Eatherly, Jr. Mr. Hans Eck Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Edelen Jennifer Edelen Ms. Helen E. Edwards Ms. Jill Edwards Mr. and Mrs. L.P. Ehret Mr. and Mrs. Louis Elliott Ms. Emily Endler Mr. and Mrs. Christopher N. Enright Ms. Joanna H. Erny Mr. and Mrs. Michael P. Esposito Mr. and Mrs. Stuart L. Esrock Mr. and Mrs. John R. Fagan Ms. Janet Falcone and Ms. Barbara Smith Dr. Mary E. Fallat and Mr. Tom Walker Ms. Ann E. Fangman Kasey Fehler Deborah Feiste Ms. Laura M. Ferguson Jessie Fife Mr. Corey Finewood Mr. and Mrs. Harold R. Finley, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Firestone Mr. and Mrs. Curtis R. Flaherty Mr. Steven M. Flener Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Foerster Mr. Edwin S. Foote Mr. Josh Foster Ms. Cindy Fowler Mr. and Mrs. Randy Fowler Mr. and Mrs. William Franck Ms. Jane Anne Franklin Mr. and Mrs. David M. Frantz Effie Frederick Ms. Kayla Gabbert Mr. and Mrs. Jim Gaines Ms. Margaret A. Gallitelli Mr. and Mrs. James Gardner Ms. Maria Gelperin Ms. Yvette L. Gentry James K. Gerrish Ms. Marcelle T. Gianelloni Mr. and Mrs. John R. Gibson Mr. and Mrs. James R. Girdwood Mr. Geoffrey S. Glaab Mrs. Ashley Glassner Thomas Gober Ms. Barb Goldenberg Ms. Rita W. Goldstein Dr. and Mrs. James H. Graham Ms. Cristeen Grasch 15