CONSERVATION

MISSION

EDUCATION

THE AKRON ZOO ENHANCES...

We connect your life to wildlife while inspiring lifelong learning

and conservation action.

COMMUNITY

WHERE HAVE WE BEEN?Since 2011, attendance at the

Akron Zoo has grown over 14.7%.

400,000

350,000

300,00

250,000

200,000

150,000

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

AT

TE

ND

AN

CE

Since receiving public funding in 2001 attendance grew from

114,139 to 402,143. 40% of our guests are from Summit County

60% reside in surrounding counties and states

The Akron Zoo has generated nearly $8 in

impact for every $1 of levy support received

since 2011.

($66.9 million invested, $506 million returned)

RETURN ON INVESTMENT

$$$$$

$$$$

SUMMIT COUNTY

* Marketing & Feasibility LLC, Study performed for the Akron Zoo, 2019

Since 2011, the Akron Zoo has had

an overall economic impact of over

$506 million across Summit County.

This amount is inclusive of direct, indirect and induced impacts.

$5 0 6MECONOMIC ACTIVITY SINCE 2011

Since 2011, the Akron Zoo has

experienced a 44.73% increase in

overall economic activity across

Summit County.

44.73% ECONOMIC ACTIVITY SINCE 2011

IMPACT

* Marketing & Feasibility LLC, Study performed for the Akron Zoo, 2019

Actions that involve the production, distribution and

consumption of goods and services at all levels within the

Akron Zoo’s area of impact.

Since 2011, the number of jobs supported throughout Summit County has grown by nearly 40% to over 850

full time equivalents.

Your Akron Zoo is the place where kids love to learn, and every visit is an opportunity for a child to come nose-to-nose with perhaps the first lion or penguin they’ve ever seen.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

91,456individuals served by Akron Zoo

education programs in 2019

WHERE KIDS LOVE TO LEARN

Akron Zoo is a leader in providing STEM (Science. Technology.

Engineering. Math.) focused education opportunities for school

age children.

In 2019, the Akron Zoo...

EDUCATIONAL

OPPORTUNITIES

Served 81 school districts in Northeast Ohio.

Welcomed 35,404 school children for class field trips.

Provided 131 on grounds programs to over 6,420 people.

Reached over 44,850 individuals through outreach programming.

CONSERVATION & SUSTAINABILITY

The Akron Zoo is a leader in sustainable practices:

• Received the national AZA Green Award in 2016 for its

sustainability initiatives and impact.

• First LEED building at a zoo east of the Rocky Mountains.

• First LEED Silver exhibit campus at a zoo in North America.

• First certified 4-star green restaurant in any zoo in North America.

• First ‘Big Hanna’ composter in any zoo in North America.

To help save endangered species from extinction, we participate in 46 species survival plans and 21 conservation projects.

We are one of only 237 AZA-accredited zoos.

SAVING SPECIES

Since 2011, the Akron Zoo has supported 29 different

conservation programs from all over the world and at home

through the Akron Zoo Conservation Fund. Several programs

have been supported for multiple years with an average of 15 –

20 projects receiving support each year.

Conservation highlights include:

• Participate in spawning of coral off the coast of Florida to

help save

coral reefs.

• Support anti-poaching, population monitoring and

environmental education in Nepal through the Red

Panda Network.

FIELD CONSERVATION

Florida AquariumCoral Study

Partula SnailReintroduction

Project

WAZA: Wild Welfare Project

Wildlife SOS

Red PandaNetwork

International Rhino Foundation Rebuilding the Pride

Turtle Survival Alliance

Snow Leopard

Trust

Wildlife Conservation Society Asia Program

Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group

Instituto de Pesquisas Ecologicas Uncovering

Paraguayan Diversity Humboldt Penguin Protection

• Work with IPE of Brazil to reforest important corridors to help

tamarins, tapir, jaguars and other species.

• Protection of national parks and forest restoration in Madagascar.

• Participate in health assessments and monitoring of Humboldt

penguins in Punta San Juan.

• Host citizens science projects annually, including the

Christmas and Summer Bird Counts and FrogWatchUSA.

• Released 60 Partula snails back into the wild on the Fiji Islandsto

re-establish a species that’s been extinct in the wild since the

1990s.

Toledo Zoo Felid Monitoring

Akron/Hiram/Sylvan Partnership

Medina Raptor Center

FrogWatch USA

AZP Christmas Bird Count

Conservation Speakers Program Arrowhead

Reptile Rescue

God’s Little Critters Rescue

Grizzly Ridge Aviary Study

Lake Metroparks

Ohio Biological Survey Amphibians & Reptiles

Penitentiary Glen Wildlife Rehabilitation

ConservationPlanning Specialist

Group

Red Wolf Coalition

American Eagle Foundation

PROMISE KEEPER

The Akron Zoo is dedicated to delivering on its promise to create a first-class zoo for the residents of Summit County.

EVERYBODY’S ZOO

There's something for everyone.

• Snooze at the Zoo

• ZooCamp

• On-grounds programs

• Field Trips

• Behind-the-Scene Tours

• Wild World Animal Show

• Birthday Parties

• Special Events

• Group Rentals, Picnic

Pavilions & Meeting Spaces

• Membership

• Museums for All

• Certified Sensory Inclusive

With levy funding, the zoo has been able to create new habitats.

Now, 250 species and over 1,000 animals call the Akron Zoo home.

A RESPONSIBLE STEWARD

A RESPONSIBLE STEWARD

• Barnhardt Family Welcome Center

• Lehner Family Zoo Gardens

• Penguin Point

• Legends of the Wild

• Komodo Kingdom Education Center

• Conservation Carousel

• Grizzly Ridge

• Curious Creatures

• Pride of Africa

• Wild Asia (summer 2021)

• More than doubled the number of

animal habitats since 2000

The Akron Zoo will be on the November 2020 ballot requesting a 0.8 mil renewal levy and 0.4 mil increase. This request will be $2.92 per month for the owner of a $100,000 home.

This is the first time since our original levy passed 20 years ago that the zoo is asking for an increase.

A RESPONSIBLE STEWARD

Every household in Summit County receives back their financial investment in the Akron Zoo through free admission granted during our annual Summit County Community Appreciation Days and other free days throughout the year.

A RESPONSIBLE STEWARD

Is an investment in education, wildlife and conservation.

Increases science and STEM based education and outreach programs for kids, seniors and families.

Increases involvement in species survival plans and conservation programs to educate kids and families and save endangered species.

SUPPORTING THE LEVY…

SUPPORTING THE LEVY…

Increases partnerships with schools and organizations across Summit County.

Allows your Akron Zoo to provide more education, animals and exciting habitats, such as potential projects featuring giraffes.

THANK YOU!

“All of our efforts are focused on saving wildlife and wild places starting right here in Summit County, through education, conservation and community engagement & partnership.

We deeply appreciate all the support of Summit County voters, residents and zoo visitors.

Your support allows us to continue serving the community we love and the animals we care so deeply about.”

Doug Piekarz, President & CEO

Questions

Website: www.akronzoo.org

E-Mail: info@akronzoo.org

Phone: 330-375-2550

We would love to hear from you!