Type: Non-Profit

The Birmingham Zoo is Alabama’s most popular not-for-profit attraction, drawing more than 450,000 visitors annually. Approximately 750 animals of 250 species call the Birmingham Zoo home, including sea lions, cheetahs and endangered species from six continents. The mission of the Birmingham Zoo is to inspire passion for the natural world. . .through emphasizing conservation, education, scientific study and recreation in all aspects of the Birmingham Zoo’s exhibits, programs, facilities and activities. The Zoo recently completed the Junior League of Birmingham – Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo, a $15 million anchor exhibit dedicated to children and devoted to urban, rural and wild animals and environs of Alabama, in April 2005 to coincide with the Zoo’s 50th birthday celebration.

The Virginia Zoological Society (VZS), organized in 1979, works to ensure that the Virginia Zoological Park (VZP) thrives as a superior zoological institution, reaching its fullest potential to serve people, animals and the environment. The Virginia Zoological Park seeks to increase understanding of the world’s flora and fauna and to add to the growing body of knowledge about them; to display animals respectfully, in a way that encourages their natural behavior; to conserve animals and their habitats; and to offer opportunities for learning and enjoyment to the public. It will strive to fulfill this mission through education, conservation, research and recreation.

The North Carolina Aquarium Society is the support organization for the three North Carolina Aquariums. The North Carolina Aquariums operate three facilities located on Roanoke Island, at Pine Knoll Shores, and at Fort Fisher. Established in 1986, the Society is dedicated to assisting these facilities in maintaining their high standards of exhibits, education and conservation programs. The Aquariums were established in 1976 to promote an awareness, understanding, appreciation, and conservation of the diverse natural and cultural resources associated with North Carolina’s ocean, estuaries, rivers, streams, and other aquatic environments. Last year, the North Carolina Aquariums educated over one million visitors.

The mission of the North Carolina Zoo (N.C. Zoo) is to encourage understanding of and commitment to the conservation of the world’s wildlife and wild places through the recognition of the interdependence of people and nature. We will do this by creating a sense of enjoyment, wonder and discovery throughout the Park and in our outreach programs. Located about 75 miles west of Raleigh in Asheboro, N.C. Zoo is nationally recognized as one of the nation’s finest zoos. The N.C. Zoo is the nation’s largest walk-through natural-habitat zoo. Its African and North American exhibit regions span more than 500 acres with more than five miles of walkways.

Zoo Atlanta is dedicated to celebrating and preserving wildlife through conservation, research and education. Founded in 1889, the Zoo strives to strengthen the bond between humans and animals by sharing the wonders of nature with nearly 700,000 visitors a year. Zoo Atlanta is dedicated to sharing the joy and wonder of wildlife, and the zoo’s education programs are a major part of this mission. Our education department offers a wide range of programs from tours and overnight programs to summer camp and nature photography classes. Highly committed to animal and habitat conservation throughout the world, Zoo Atlanta has a well-developed behavioral research program on zoo grounds, as well as field conservation projects in South America, Africa and Asia.

The Central Florida Zoological Park was first established as the Sanford Zoo in 1923 with a collection of donated animals held by the Sanford Fire Department. The Central Florida Zoological Park opened its doors at its present site on July 4, 1975 and it continues to grow as Seminole County’s premier recreational and educational attraction. The Central Florida Zoological Park is dedicated to the trustworthy stewardship of our natural environment through the exhibition of living animals and plants, and sustaining programs in wildlife education and conservation. The Central Florida Zoological Park preserves the beauty and wonder of animals and their habitats. We are committed to sharing our knowledge, engaging visitors, and celebrating our natural world.

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is dedicated to public education, marine research, animal assisted therapy and the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sick or injured animals. CMA is involved with a number of marine science research initiatives, environmental conservation and public education. Programs are available for virtually every age group. CMA provides a home for many animals rescued and rehabilitated by our stranding response team, which is one of the nation’s most successful. Although many of these injured or sick animals are subsequently released, some have become permanent CMA residents due to the extent of their injuries or permanent disabilities.

The cornerstone of The Channel District, The Florida Aquarium’s mission since opening in 1995 is to entertain, educate and inspire stewardship about our natural environment. It serves as a significant example of Florida’s commitment to preserving native landscapes, ecosystems, historical and archaeological sites, and ethnic and cultural traditions representative of the diverse geography and cultural life unique to our state. Opening in March 1995, the Aquarium has provided cultural enrichment experiences to over 3.5 million residents and visitors, including 250,000 school students and teachers. The facility is home to over 10,000 aquatic plants and animals from 1,340 species from Florida and all over the world.

The Lowry Park Zoo mission is to connect people with the living Earth. As a cultural organization committed to conservation, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo exhibits Florida wildlife and animals from habitats similar to Florida’s. A living collection of more than 1,600 animals is safeguarded in naturalistic exhibits outdoors year round. The zoo is also dedicated to serving as an educational resource for the community and providing an exciting, nature-based entertainment destination for families, schools, organizations and visitors. Up-close experiences with living animals at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo help teach the value of the living world firsthand and reconnect us with our natural heritage.

The Columbus Zoo & Aquarium works to promote awareness and understanding of the interdependence of the natural world, and to present to our community, interactive, participatory, and educational exhibits and activities, which represent that relationship. The Zoo shall achieve its mission by teaching and practicing conservation, both on and off-site, contributing to the discovery of biological knowledge, offering enjoyable, educational and family-oriented recreational opportunities, and instilling in all who visit a sense of adventure and discovery. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium houses over 700 species and more than 6,000 specimens.

Nationally recognized as one of the most comprehensive zoological institutions in the nation, The Toledo Zoo now serves as the top tourist attraction in the area and is the number one reason people visit Toledo. The Zoo works to promote wildlife and its conservation through excellence in animal management, educational programs, and scientific activities while providing our visitors with an enjoyable, recreational, and family-oriented experience. Each year approximately 875,000 people visit the zoo’s over 4,500 exotic animals including hippos, gorillas, tigers, giraffes, koalas, penguins, snakes, turtles and sharks.

Audubon Nature Institute’s purpose of celebrating the wonders of nature guides its mission to: provide a guest experience of outstanding quality; exhibit the diversity of wildlife; preserve native Louisiana habitats; educate our diverse audience about the natural world; enhance the care and survival of wildlife through research and conservation; provide opportunities for recreation in natural settings; operate a financially self-sufficient collection of facilities; and weave quality entertainment through the guest experience. The Institute’s family of museums and parks dedicated to nature include: three parks, a zoo, an aquarium, the Audubon Species Survival Center, Entergy IMAX Theatre, a Nature Center, a research center, and an insectarium.

The mission of the Blank Park Zoo is to foster a greater appreciation of the natural world by providing a zoological park featuring exhibition and conservation of a diverse living animal collection, family-oriented recreational activities, and zoological science education programs. The Blank Park Zoo has been a part of the Des Moines metro community since 1963. The Blank Park Zoo manages 49 acres of land. Of that, 22 acres have been developed into animal exhibits or facilities. Currently there are 104 different animal species and 1,484 animal specimens cared for at the Blank Park Zoo.

The Louisville Zoo Foundation benefits and furthers the development of the Louisville Zoo by providing financial support for teaching, research, and service programs, purchase of animals and equipment and construction of exhibits and displays. In its 37-year history, the Louisville Zoo has dedicated itself to the pursuits of education, conservation, scientific study and recreation. The zoo currently exhibits over 1,300 animals in naturalistic and mixed animal settings representing both geographical areas and biomes or habitats. These include: the ISLANDS, the African Veldt, Asian Plains, North and South American Panorama, Aquatics and the Australian Outback. The HerpAquarium features 100 species of reptiles, amphibians and fish from around the world.

The Saint Louis Zoo Foundation was established in 1995 to promote the Saint Louis Zoo and encourage financial contributions to the Zoo. Led by 60-65 civic leaders – CEOs of major corporations, leaders of international companies headquartered in St. Louis, heads of foundations, and representatives of influential St. Louis families – the Foundation supports the Saint Louis Zoo as it works to conserve animals and their habitats through outstanding educational and recreational experiences, research and animal management.

Founded in 1985, Friends of the Zoo supports operations of the Chattanooga Zoo for the education and enjoyment of individuals living in and visiting Chattanooga, Tennessee. Opened in 1937, the mission of the Chattanooga Zoo is to provide an educational and recreational opportunity for all. The educational mission stresses understanding of and respect for all living things. A strong commitment to conservation for generations to come is implicit in this mission. The Chattanooga Zoo seeks to provide a dignified and aesthetically pleasing environment for the animals.

The Henry Vilas Park Zoological Society was organized as the Madison Zoological and Aquarium Society in 1914. The society’s purpose is to build community support and provide funding for improvements to the Henry Vilas Zoo. This includes the acquisition, conservation, and replacement of animals; refurbishing and creating new exhibits; supporting educational programs; and improving the overall educational and recreational value of the zoo. The Zoological Society contributes generously to the Zoo’s operating budget. The society has been instrumental in providing funding for many zoo improvements, generally in partnership with the county and city.

The mission of Knoxville Zoological Gardens is to celebrate the wonders of the natural world. Through education, conservation, exhibition, research and recreation, the zoo tells the stories of the animals, the plants and the people who make up the communities of the earth. The zoo develops positive attitudes and actions about nature and about conservation as a local and global issue. Knoxville Zoological Gardens offers an entertaining and unique educational experience for the entire family. The zoo is situated on 53 rolling acres on the east side of Knoxville with 230 different species of animals. Annual attendance is approximately 400,000 people.