Minnesota Zoo Media Contact

If you are a member of the press, please contact:

Kelly Lessard
Public Relations
Minnesota Zoo
13000 Zoo Boulevard
Apple Valley, MN 55124
952.431.9217 direct
952.431.9300 fax
kelly.lessard@state.mn.us

 

 

Press Releases

Minnesota Zoo Receives 2011 Minnesota Waste Wise Leader Award

Apple Valley, MINN – November 17, 2011 – The Minnesota Zoo is excited to announce it has received the 2011 Minnesota Waste Wise Leader Award. The award recognizes the Zoo’s accomplishments in preventing and reducing waste, increasing energy efficiency, using eco-friendly products, and raising environmental awareness among its staff and guests.

As Minnesota’s largest environmental learning center, care for the environment is inherently part of the Minnesota Zoo’s mission and daily practices. In the past few years, the Zoo substantially increased its commitment to environmental sustainability by planning, implementing, and tracking green practices throughout its operations.

“We're excited that Minnesota Waste Wise has chosen to acknowledge the Minnesota Zoo as a leader in environmental sustainability,” said Zoo Conservation Director Dr. Tara Harris. “We've been able to accomplish a lot in the past few years due to the commitment to sustainability that has been embraced by our staff and on-site partners. It's great to be recognized for those efforts.”

Adds Waste Wise Program Director Kate Worley: “The Minnesota Zoo is a recognized leader in environmental sustainability. The organization is an example for both businesses and the surrounding community of how decreasing your environmental footprint can make a significant impact while still being cost-effective."

Minnesota Zoo Highlights:

In 2010, the Zoo recycled or composted ~2,000 tons of material. That’s equal to the weight of about 500 fully grown elephants!

The Zoo has saved an estimated 875,000 kWh of electricity annually through its high-efficiency lighting upgrades and green design for new construction. That’s enough electricity to light nearly 600 Minnesota homes each year!

In the first year of the Zoo’s “Recycle for Rainforests” program, the Zoo worked with local company MPC to recycle or refurbish over 8,000 cell phones! Program proceeds (>$8,500) have been used to support a great ape conservation program in the rainforests of the Republic of Congo.

New construction at the Zoo has incorporated sustainably harvested wood, recycled content and locally sourced materials, native plantings and vegetative roofs, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, low-flow water fixtures, and more.

The Zoo has adopted an Environmental Sustainability Action Plan and Environmental Policy. Environmental sustainability has also been incorporated into the job descriptions of all Zoo staff.

Minnesota Waste Wise is an affiliate program of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. The Minnesota Waste Wise Leader award is given to Minnesota Waste Wise members that have shown true leadership in the tenets of the program. Leader Award winners are chosen once a year and serve as environmental role models for their own communities, the Minnesota business community and the Minnesota Waste Wise program.

The Minnesota Zoo is located in Apple Valley, just minutes south of Mall of America. For more information, call 952.431.9500 or visit mnzoo.org. The Minnesota Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and an institutional member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).