A MORE INCLUSIVE ZOO
The Louisville Zoo is rethinking the services and amenities it
provides to guests and aspires to become more accessible and
inclusive. Designed to raise awareness and to encourage equality
and compassion, our Sensory Processing and Inclusion Initiative
project will also empower those living with physical or sensory
challenges to visit any day of their choosing and have the best
experience possible. As funds are raised, we will implement
projects such as: replacing manual doors with automatic doors,
developing sensory kits, creating quiet zones, adding accessible
playground equipment, and implementing training for staff
and volunteers.
TAKING BIG STEPS TO REDUCE
A CREDIT TO OUR HARD WORK OUR FOOTPRINT
Louisville Zoo, circa 1967
how we engage with the world at large — not only our visitors
In 2018, the Louisville Zoo was again awarded accreditation by As an institution dedicated to conservation of the planet and its the Association of Zoos and Aquariums — a testament to wildlife, the Zoo naturally wants our facilities to be as sustainable OUR STORY CONTINUTES
the passion and dedication of our staff experts. To obtain as possible. Each year, we work to enhance our green efforts, and Over the years, millions of people from all 50 states, from all
accreditation, which lasts five years, a facility must go through a this past year was especially productive. economic backgrounds, and from myriad cultures all over the
rigorous process. One of only 233 accredited facilities in North
America, the Louisville Zoo has maintained accreditation for 38 In partnership with the Louisville Water Company and the
consecutive years. Louisville Water Foundation, we’ve added eight water stations
where guests can refill their own non-disposable bottles, thus
reducing the need for environmentally unfriendly one-time-use
plastic bottles.
In May 2018, we updated our historic conservation carousel
to include solar panels, which generate power sufficient to
operate the popular attraction. Made possible by Solar Over
Louisville, Synergy Home LLC, and the Sierra Club, this project
complements the Zoo’s existing efforts, including the green roof
on the HerpAquarium, the new Wet Dry recycling program, and
last year’s elimination of plastic bags at the Zoo’s gift shop — an
AZA President and CEO Dan Ashe visited in July to present the
accreditation certificate and tour the Zoo.
Ms. Janiese L. Shockley
Ms. Patricia A. Showalter
Mr. John R. Shutt, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Sibert
Dr. and Mrs. David W. Sihau
Graham Sillings
Ms. Anna Sillings
Mr. and Mrs. William R. Simpson
Mr. James Simrall
Ms. Ashley N. Sims
Kris Sirchio
Mr. and Mrs. William Skaggs
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Louisville Zoo archives, circa 1967; Leroy and Luana, male and
female southern white rhinos.
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth M. Slye
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald H. Smith, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas S. Smith
Mr. Andrew R. Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey C. Smith
Miss Haley Smith
Mr. Leonard James Smith
Mr. Lucas Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Steven L. Sollman
Ms. Eileen W. Spears
Mr. and Mrs. Louis A. Sperry
Dr. and Mrs. Maynard L. Stetten
Ms. Ashley Stivers
world have visited the Louisville Zoo. And that means there are
millions of stories that have been experienced, shared, and retold
over the years. Stories of hope. Stories of struggle and triumph.
Of passionate dedication. Of friendship and love. Stories that
make us smile. And that make us proud.
For nearly 50 years, the Zoo has helped compose these stories.
Stories to delight families. Stories to instill wisdom. Stories to make
us laugh. Stories to makes us question. Stories that have helped
to inspire thousands of people to pursue careers in animal care,
education, and a variety of sciences — and stirred millions more
to show compassion toward animals, to respect the environment,
and to appreciate the gift of having a Zoo in their community.
initiative that has already saved over 80,000 plastic bags from And so our story continues. We must, of course, look toward
becoming environmental waste. the future, taking stock, observing trends, and expanding
Mr. Thomas D. Stolte
Ms. Jessica Stonehouse
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Storck
Mrs. Dianna K. Stover
Ms. Catherine Strecker
Mr. and Mrs. James M. Sturgeon
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Szerletich
Dr. and Mrs. T. K. Takagishi
Ms. Leslie D. Taylor
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Thomas
Ms. Mary Thomas
Ms. Myrdin Thompson
Camey Thorpe
Mr. and Mrs. Terry T. Tinker
Andrew M. Tinker
Mrs. Rose Mary Toebbe
Mr. and Mr. Jason Tretter
Ms. Stephanie Triplett
Mr. Donald L. Tupman
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Turi
Ms. Kathryne H. Turner
Mr. Robert M. Turner
Ms. Dee Valentine
Mr. Bryan J. Valentine
Mr. Charles T. Veeneman
Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Veleta
Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Vincent
Cathy Vinson
Mr. and Mrs. Gary G. Von Hoven
Mr. Sam Vonderheide
Ms. Jeanne D. Vuturo
Alana Wade
Ms. Donna G. Wagner
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Wandel
Mr. Philip C. Warren
Ms. Helen F. Watkins
Phillip Watson
Ms. Patricia A. Watson
David A. Webb
Mr. and Mrs. Gary E. Weed
Douglas W. Weede
Mrs. and Mr. Angie Weismiller
Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Wengler
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen J. Wheatley
Robert White
Ms. Michele Whiteside
Ms. Virginia Whittinghill
Mr. Alan K. Whitworth and
Ms. Mary F. Wilson
Mr. and Mrs. John J. Wickey
Ms. Marise C. Wiesemann
Isla Wieting
and benefactors, but also our potential visitors and potential
benefactors. Your Zoo is home to some of the most amazing species
on the planet. Through the four primary goals we’ve established
for our 50th celebration, along with the events and activities
that will attend this major milestone, we hope to introduce —
and reintroduce — as many people as possible to the remarkable
creatures that call your Zoo home, to the remarkable work we do
day in and day out, to the stories that make a difference.
We at the Zoo are deeply proud of the role we play and the
differences we make within our community, and of the collective
impact AZA-accredited organizations are having worldwide. Now,
nearly half a century into our journey, we want to make sure they
— our visitors, our staff, our volunteers and docents, our donors
and members, our board, our communities, our children — can
feel proud, too.
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Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey S. Williams
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Williams
Ms. Sharon A. Williams
Ms. Alexis A. Williamson
Ms. Leslie A. Wilson
Joseph R. Wimsatt
Mrs. Rhonda Wimsett
Maj. Gen. and Mrs. William P.
Winkler
Laura Witt
Jerry Wood
Mrs. Stacy Wren
Mr. Nathaniel Wright
Mr. and Mrs. Michael S. Wright
Allison Zeillmann
Tanya Zeitz
Melissa Ziady
*Sustainer Society Members
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