Conservation Efforts

Contact: Aimee Yamamori, Director of Media and Public Relations, Phoenix Zoo
(602) 914-4305 or pager (602) 223-8222

Date: April 9, 2007

PHOENIX ZOO TO UNVEIL CONSERVATION CENTER
The Phoenix Zoo will celebrate the grand opening of the new Arthur L "Bud" Johnson and Elaine V. Johnson Conservation Center at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 19, 2007. The Center will serve as the headquarters for numerous regional and international efforts on behalf of threatened and endangered species.
The 2, 500-square-foot Conservation Center has been under construction since June 2005 and was made possible by a $630, 000 donation from the Arthur L. "Bud" Johnson in Memory of Elaine V. Johnson Foundation.
The construction of the Conservation Center will directly support the conservation efforts of species native to the Southwest including the Narrow-headed garter snake, Black-footed ferret, Chiricahua leopard frog, Lowland leopard frog and the Three Forks and San Bernadino Springsnails as well as endangered species conservation programs for animals from around the world.
"It is very exciting to see the results of The Phoenix Zoo's important work in conservation of endangered species and habitats in the Southwest become more visible in our community, " said Mary Alexander, chair of the Phoenix Zoo's Conservation Committee. "Lending financial support to efforts like the Conservation Center construction is critically important to enable the Phoenix Zoo to offer programs to help community focus on what we can all do to help our fragile environment."

The addition of the Conservation Center will provide an on site area for captive breeding programs that directly support applied conservation with a focus on preserving the biodiversity of the natural world. The Center will encompass interim housing and eventual return of wild animals. For the first time, it will also allow visitors access and observation of this important work. In addition to breeding facilities and housing space for animals, the Center will have isolation housing space and a mini-laboratory.
The interpretation at the conservation center uses interactive stations to introduce guests to several inroads to being involved in conservation. Guests can learn how to identify animal tracks, spotlight ferrets, and use radio telemetry to track down animals. One panel also discusses how the choices that we make in our daily lives can contribute to conservation efforts. The goal of the interpretation is to show guests that conservation is not just for scientists, but that everyone can get involved.
The new Conservation Center was built with a low impact on resources in mind. Decorative walls were made from recycled concrete from an old Zoo exhibit, and installation was done largely by volunteer groups, such as local Boy Scout troops.

In addition, SRP has donated a 10- kilowatt solar power system on the Conservation Center to offset its energy usage. The system (valued at more than $125, 000) was funded by SRP's EarthWise Energy Program, which encourages customers to pay a small premium above their monthly electric bill to fund renewable-energy projects.
"SRP congratulates our EarthWise Energy customers who have made this solar project at the Phoenix Zoo possible, " said Lori Singleton, manager of SRP Environmental Initiatives. "Their continued support is making a difference in providing cleaner energy for the Valley."
For 45 years, the non profit Phoenix Zoo has provided special place for our community to come together with activities that enrich the lives of children and animals and foster learning about the natural world. To preserve and strengthen these capacities, the Phoenix Zoo will make significant investments in our organization in the future. These investments focus on the Zoo's capacity to educate and inspire people to become active stewards of the natural world and include this commitment to promote conservation of important arid animals at the Arthur L. "Bud" Johnson In Memory of Elaine V. Johnson Foundation Endangered and Native Species Breeding and Conservation Center.