Creating the Next Generation of

CONSERVATION STEWARDS 2015 EDUCATION YEAR IN REVIEW

Ryan Hawk, WPZ

The purpose of education at the zoo is to inspire and cultivate an informed community of conservation stewards.

CREATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF CONSERVATION STEWARDS

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Woodland Park Zoo would like to thank the generous donors in 2015 that helped make our education programs possible:

Many thanks go to the following partners who contributed to the strength and quality of our education programs in 2015:

Alaska Airlines Nancy Alvord Rick and Nancy Alvord Amgen Foundation Anonymous (3) Association of Zoos & Aquariums The Boehmer Family The Boeing Company City of Seattle Lester and Kimberly Craven Ellison Foundation Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation The Hanlon Family Holly Hirai Horizons Foundation John C. and Karyl Kay Hughes Foundation Gretchen Hull Karen Koon Bruce Mason Pamela Jo Merriman and Sonja Ross

The Boeing Company Burke Museum Columbia Bank Danau Girang Field Centre Friends of Licton Springs Highline School District HUTAN - Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Project Issaquah Middle School Kent School District Master Gardeners Miami University’s Project Dragonfly Museum of Flight National Geographic Society National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation NOAA Climate Interpreter Coalition The Ocean Project Kathryn Owen Consulting Pacific Science Center

Microsoft Corporation M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust National Geographic Society National Science Foundation The Norman Raab Foundation The Ocean Project Pam Okano and Dick Birnbaum Pacific Science Center Brooks and Suzanne Ragen RealNetworks Julia and Adam Ryan C + L Scandiuzzi Seattle Foundation Thrive Washington University of Washington John and Marilyn Warner Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife The Wild Center The Dean Witter Foundation Wockner Foundation

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium Refugee Women’s Alliance School’s Out Washington Seattle Aquarium Seattle Children’s Theatre Seattle Parks and Recreation Seattle Public Library Seattle Tilth Sound Community Bank University of Washington Museology Graduate Program Vietnamese Friendship Association Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Washington Informal Science Education (WISE) Consortium Washington Ski Patrol Western Wildlife Outreach Youth Development Executives of King County

DEAR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS, As I reflect on 2015, I realize it was a year of dramatic developments for Woodland Park Zoo and its Education programs on several levels. From saying goodbye to our beloved elephants and opening our new Banyan Wilds exhibit, to launching a Seattle Youth Conservation Action Network and supporting passage of Initiative 1401 in order to reduce trafficking of endangered species, it was a busy, and ambitious, year. Woodland Park Zoo welcomed a record-breaking 1.3 million visitors in 2015 and, since opening in 1899, has earned the reputation as one of Seattle’s most trusted, effective and influential informal learning resources. We engage the community both on zoo grounds and in the region through partnerships with school districts, libraries, community centers, public agencies, universities and other like-minded organizations and nonprofits.

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We take our responsibility to serve our community very seriously (and have a lot of fun doing it!). This commitment includes continually raising the bar and adapting our programming to meet the dynamic educational needs and changing demographics amidst the Pacific Northwest’s growing population, and addressing global environmental issues on wildlife and their habitats. In order to meet these challenges and to refocus our efforts in support of Woodland Park Zoo’s 2015-2018 Strategic Plan: Growing Our Reach and Impact, we reframed our Education programs and staff in 2015 into three overarching focus areas: • Science and Conservation Education • Guest Experience • Volunteer and Community Engagement. Each of these areas overlaps and promotes cross-functional collaboration across our department particularly around our early learning, youth development and accessibility initiatives. The stories presented in this overview of 2015 activities are grouped in these new focus areas. I hope you will agree that your zoo is modeling 21st century advances in informal science and conservation education and action.

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At the end of the day, Woodland Park Zoo is about animals. And with animals as the foundation of our curricula, we know that we can advance science literacy, selfefficacy, and empathy that will create a sustainable future for people and wildlife. It is toward this goal that we strive to reach out to and connect with our diverse and growing population and help to build an informed and involved community. Thank you for inspiring and sustaining us along our journey with your support and generosity each and every day. I hope you enjoy our Year in Review.

Sincerely,

Becky Barker Interim Vice President of Education

Kelly Frazee, WPZ

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SCIENCE AND CONSERVATION EDUCATION • Wild Wise: Ready, Set, Discover reached approxinately 1,100 students in the Kent School District • Over 64,860 students and chaperones visited the zoo • 23,055 students and chaperones from King County low income schools received free zoo admission and bus transportation • 701 participants attended Homeschool Days • Formal and informal educators impact over 7,550 students annually through the AIP Master’s degree program • 153 middle-school students participated in ZooCrew afterschool programs at four school sites • Over 7,500 people participated in fee-based classes and camps • 559 children and their caregivers participated in early childhood classes • 2,508 children attended weeklong summer camp sessions • 35 campers were given a full or partial scholarship to attend summer camp • 816 senior adults participated in Senior Zoo Walkers or Senior Classes • Zoo Adventures overnight and evening programs, had 2,608 people attend • Fee-based programs generated $891,863 in revenue

SCIENCE AND CONSERVATION EDUCATION In 2015, Woodland Park Zoo (WPZ) Education staff worked closely with local community partners to bring rich science and conservation learning experiences to students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to be involved in science through firsthand study of animals and nature. Two programs in particular provide great examples of this work – Woodland Park Zoo’s Wild Wise: Ready, Set, Discover and ZooCrew Summer Learning programs. WPZ collaborates closely with Kent School District science staff to enrich the 5th grade science curriculum at schools across the district through the Wild Wise: Ready, Set, Discover (RSD) program. The RSD program gives students multiple nature-based opportunities to engage with the concepts and practices of scientific inquiry through problem-based learning. With a focus on amphibians and wetland habitats, RSD participants engage in science-based experiences in their classroom, at the zoo, and at local parks to understand the roles of amphibians in wetland ecosystems and to analyze the environmental issues facing amphibians. At the culmination of the program, students present their solutions to improve local habitat for amphibians. In doing so, students demonstrate scientific achievement while addressing authentic issues in their local communities.

“ The program helped my students learn about ecosystems,

specifically wetland ecosystems. I was able to use the topic and ideas that were presented by the zoo staff to take my class further in their study of systems, inquiry, and applying it to real life situations. Teacher

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In WPZ’s ZooCrew Summer Learning Program, students participate in nature-based science investigations at the zoo and in local environments, meet STEM professionals, practice academic skills and showcase their own film project. Over five weeks of the program’s second summer season, 12 students from Asa Mercer, Washington and Denny Middle Schools in Seattle explored ecosystems, watersheds and science careers at the zoo and in the outdoors all over western Washington. A student from Denny Middle School shared, “I learned a lot of stuff, like how a watershed works. Next year, we have a huge test at school about the watershed and I feel strong about the topic now!” A student from Washington Middle School summed it up when she said “I learned what an ecosystem is and what a watershed is. I got better at teamwork and being able to write more about things that I see. Overall I had a really fun time this summer and I want to come back next year!” These programs are offered free of charge and, with support, will continue to engage students from underserved communities in developing and using science skills to learn about nature and help make the world a better place for animals and their habitats.

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Ryan Hawk, WPZ

Ryan Hawk, WPZ

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ENHANCING THE GUEST EXPERIENCE • Over 40,000 zoo guests are engaged in the Banyan Wilds programs featuring tiger and sloth bear conservation messaging. • Over 66,500 guests were reached through keeper talks and raptor programs • 41,000 guests participated in a penguin and/or giraffe feeding experience in 2015 • 31,987 participated in Zoomazium programs • 15,852 visitors touched an ambassador animal through programming in Zoomazium • Snowmazium, open only during WildLights winter festival, had over 45,635 people participate with winter themed programming

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ENHANCING THE GUEST EXPERIENCE Public programming at Woodland Park Zoo is dedicated to staying on the cutting edge of guest engagement and setting the bar for other zoos to follow. As part of the quest to deliver high quality, impactful education programs for all ages, 2015 guest experiences created up-close animal experiences in the new Banyan Wilds exhibit, built empathy in our programs and laid the ground work for the Ambassador Animal Initiative for the new year. May 2015 opened the Banyan Wilds exhibit, immersing visitors in the forests of tropical Asia. Tigers and sloth bears were at the center of the conservation messaging in the new exhibit. The Education team worked alongside Field Conservation and Animal Management staff to develop public programs at both tiger and sloth bear exhibits. These programs allowed visitors to experience these animals up close, while highlighting both the quality of care these animals receive and the zoo’s conservation work currently taking place in these animals’ native ecosystems. By learning how keepers care for our tigers and sloth bears, these new program initiatives aim to inspire respect, empathy, and wonder for the natural world, all of which have been shown to be key variables in people’s decisions to take positive stewardship actions for animals or the environment.

Dennis Dow, WPZ

This year saw the launch of a new endeavor, the Ambassador Animals Initiative. The ambassador animal collection at WPZ consists of animals that are trained and socialized to participate in hands-on educational programs presented by both staff and volunteers. This initiative has allowed us to expand and improve the housing area for these animals and expanded the collection to include several new species. As the initiative moves into the next phase, a stage will be constructed behind Zoomazium where daily animal presentations will occur regularly starting in the summer of 2016. Adding these additional animals and presentation spaces allows the zoo to increase the number of animal interaction programs offered to guests in an educational and compelling new way. As the Ambassador Animals Initiative advances, it is also allowing us to steadily build within the staff understanding of the vital role empathy plays in driving people to take positive action on behalf of wildlife and the natural world. Throughout the year, we compiled the most current research on best practices in the development of empathy toward animals, and identified specific strategies for incorporating these practices into zoo programs. From techniques such as using personal pronouns when speaking of animals, to building narratives that help the audience see an animal as an individual with his or her own perspective and needs, we are striving to help our audiences not just learn, but care and act.

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“ We are lucky to

have such a great exhibit at the zoo considering how few tigers are in the wild, and that the zoo is doing important work to help the population.

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Zoo Guest

We strive to inspire our visitors to build positive emotional connections with the animals in our care and motivate them to take actions beneficial to wildlife. Dedication to create up-close animal programs and respond to guests’ interests while encouraging empathy is truly defining what zoos of the future will be like. While we celebrate accomplishments in 2015, we are eager to continue setting the standard of program excellence in years to come.

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VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT • 1,009 volunteers donated their time to the zoo. This includes 773 zoo volunteers and 11 service project groups (composed of 236 individuals) who together contributed over 84,184 hours of service to the zoo, valued at more than $1.9 million as an in-kind donation. • Adult and teen volunteers assisted and engaged over 623,669 zoo guests with wildlife and conservation messaging. • 110 ZooCorps teen volunteers developed their ecological literacy through training, service at the zoo, and participating in conservation experiences. • Over 50 teens participated in a summer sustainable transportation campaign. • 75 volunteers were trained in Amphibian Monitoring and monitored 16 sites in King and Snohomish counties.

VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Engaging community is a critical part of Woodland Park Zoo’s mission of inspiring people to learn, care and act. In 2015, the Volunteer Department was honored to receive the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ (AZA) Volunteer Engagement Award and also started an innovative new teen project, Seattle Youth Climate Action Network (CAN). With the formation of the Volunteer and Community Engagement team we are advancing the zoo’s commitment to community by developing a new community engagement strategy for the Education Department and aligning the adult and teen volunteer programs under one team. AZA’s Volunteer Engagement Award highlights achievement in volunteer program development and the ability to engage volunteers in the overall mission and operation of the zoo. Criteria considered included using best practices and achieving excellence in program components—recruitment, training, assignments, recognition, retention and ongoing quality improvement. Through the structure of the program, zoo volunteers align with the zoo’s mission to support the diverse and changing needs of the zoo. An adaptive volunteer community was vital this past year as zoo volunteers became advocates for two important awareness campaigns: (1) promoting sustainable palm oil consumption to help save endangered orangutans and other tropical Asia species; and (2) a campaign in support of Initiative 1401. Zoo volunteers educated zoo guests in the community about Initiative 1401 and the urgent need to strengthen laws and government

• Woodland Park Zoo reached 9,898 students through outreach programs. • 965 young children and their caregivers visited their local Seattle Public Library branch for a zoo supported summer outreach program. • Family Nature Club, which took place at Refugee Women’s Alliance Preschool and at Seattle Public Libraries, inspired 70 children and their adults to play and create in nature to develop early science skills.

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actions to protect animals such as elephants, rhinos, tigers and other threatened and endangered species. The initiative, passed by Washington voters in November, placed a ban on endangered species sales within the state. In January, the Seattle Youth CAN was launched. The first year brought together teen programs from Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle Aquarium and Pacific Science Center through a unique project aimed at increasing teen climate leadership through taking collective action. We collaborated with a range of local community groups and institutions focused on climate issues including Forterra, Seattle City Light, Climate Solutions, King County Metro and the University of Washington. These partners served as advisors, supported teen action projects and shared their expertise with participants. During this pilot year, Seattle Youth CAN engaged over 100 teens from the three institutions who participated in trainings, planning meetings and monthly climate literacy and action events. Teens stepped up through participation in teen leadership committees, developed and launched a teen transportation challenge, and planned and led the first Seattle Youth Climate Action Summit held in October at Woodland Park Zoo. The Seattle Youth Climate Summit was the climax of year one and was attended by over a hundred teen and community participants from the Seattle area. The summit included presentations and activities led by teen leaders, a climate careers panel, group action projects and plenary workshop sessions focused on climate science, innovation and ways to take action. Both the AZA award and Seattle Youth CAN signify that our volunteers, both youth and adults, are stakeholders who not only expand the zoo’s resources, but most importantly, represent an engaged community of conservation stewards who help us achieve our mission.

“ The zoo is a place

that is so full of life and bursting with interesting things to do, which leads to an interest in zoology or biological fields of work. With people (especially females and people of color) in STEM fields growing scarce, early exposure to fields of work in science have never been more important. ZooCorps does an excellent job of fostering interest in those fields, and allowing members to have a deeper insight into the workings of the zoo.

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ZooCorps Teen

“ I love the enthusiasm

and excitement of the volunteers as well as the staff members. Makes me very excited to be part of the zoo’s mission!

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Zoo Volunteer

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IN 2015, WPZ’S EDUCATION DEPARTMENT REACHED 744,186 PEOPLE. Three Pillars of WPZ Education

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participating in 2015.

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AND CHAPERONES visited the the zoo. That’s enough to fill SCHOOL BUSES.

CAMP ATTENDANCE in the past 10 grew nearly

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64,860 STUDENTS

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Creating moments and positive connections to the zoo and with wildlife, we reach people far and wide.

OVER VISITORS participated in keeper talks or Raptors In Flight.

816 campers

2015

41,000

OVER VISITORS got up close feeding a giraffe or penguin.

31,987 CHILDREN engaged in

early childhood programs in Zoomazium.

Adult and teen volunteers gave HOURS of in-kind service.

84,184

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EMPLOYEES that’s working full-time for a year; or

$1.9 MILLION in-kind donations.

Volunteer Program recognized with the SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD at the AZA’s annual conference.

HOW DID WE DO IT? Working closely with a smaller number of people, we’re having deep impact.

187 EDUCATORS

1,100 STUDENTS engaged in amphibian conservation through Wild Wise: Ready, Set, Discover

participated in AIP/educator courses, REACHING STUDENTS through their participation.

7,550

from the first three cohorts received their master’s.

on and learning about different ecosystems, and combining what we’d learned in different places.

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ZooCrew Participant

40,000

OVER VISITORS attended at least one of the FOUR NEW PROGRAMS developed for Banyan Wilds .

Sloth Bear Enrichment

Tiger Gate Experience

Sloth Bear Snack

Tiger Enrichment

OVER THREEFOURTHS OF VISITORS who saw the Tiger Gate program learned about conservation messages

Collaborating with Seattle Public Library, CHILDREN AND ADULTS were inspired to explore the joys of reading as part of the Wild Science! program.

83%

76%

Zoo’s work What visitors in Malaysia can do to help

SUMMER OF LEARNING 965

STUDENTS participated in the five-week long summer ZooCrew program.

“I liked all the field trips we went

9,898 STUDENTS experienced an outreach program.

39 PROFESSIONALS

12 MIDDLE SCHOOL

We partnered with the Refugee Women’s Alliance Preschool to develop early science skills in EARLY LEARNERS.

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SEATTLE YOUTH CAN TEENS created transportation campaign, challenging wtheir peers to take climate action. 50+ TEENS saved 23K MILES of car travel! This is nearly the same as driving the circumference of the earth.

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EDUCATION LEADERSHIP TEAM BECKY BARKER Interim Vice President of Education Director of Education MARGARET WHITE Associate Director, Education Business and Operations KIM HAAS Volunteer and Community Engagement Manager JENNIFER WHITENER Public Programs Manager JAMES BLUHER Volunteer Engagement Supervisor MARY JACKSON Audience Research Supervisor JESSIE MAXWELL Child & Family Programs Supervisor KATIE REMINE Science & Conservation Education Supervisor ELI WEISS Community Engagement Supervisor

WOODLAND PARK ZOO SAVES ANIMALS AND THEIR HABITATS THROUGH CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP AND ENGAGING EXPERIENCES, INSPIRING PEOPLE TO LEARN, CARE AND ACT.