Profile: Zoological Society of San Diego

The San Diego Zoo is a not-for-profit organization that operates the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, and San Diego Zoo's Institute for Conservation Research. The Zoo was founded on October 2, 1916, by Harry M. Wegeforth, M.D. It currently has a 12-member Board of Trustees headed by Berit Durler; Douglas G. Myers is the Zoo's executive director.

The San Diego Zoo is the largest zoological membership association in the world, with more than 250,000 member households and 130,000 child memberships, representing more than a half million people. Members enjoy free admission to the Zoo and the Wild Animal Park, a subscription to the monthly magazine ZOONOOZ, and other benefits. Both Zoo and Park are open every day of the year.

Mission Statement

The San Diego Zoo is a conservation, education, and recreation organization dedicated to the reproduction, protection, and exhibition of animals, plants, and their habitats.

	San Diego Zoo The 100-acre (40-hectare) Zoo is home to over 4,000 rare and endangered animals representing more than 800 species and subspecies, and a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 exotic plants. It is located just north of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park.
	Wild Animal Park The Wild Animal Park is an expansive wildlife sanctuary that is home to more than 3,500 animals representing more than 400 species. Its renowned botanical collection represents 3,500 species and 1.5 million specimens. Over half of the Park’s 1,800 acres (730 hectares) have been set aside as protected native species habitat. It is located 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of downtown San Diego in the San Pasqual Valley near Escondido, California.
	San Diego Zoo's Institute for Conservation Research™ San Diego Zoo's Institute for Conservation Research is one of the largest zoo-based research centers in the world. Founded in 1975, it is dedicated to preserving and protecting rare and endangered wildlife and habitats. Conservation Research scientists develop, gather, and increase knowledge vital for the establishment of self-sustaining populations of wildlife.

Accreditations

The San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Association of Museums, and the Zoological Assocation of America.
Here's more information about the accreditation process...

Recent honors and awards

• The San Diego Zoo was selected as one of the Director's Recycling Award winners for the City of San Diego's 2009 Waste Reduction and Recycling Awards Program (WRAP). We received the award based on "a successful and innovative program resulting in significant waste reduction, recycling and economic benefits, making the San Diego Zoo a leader in the community for others to follow."
• The California State Assembly presented a certificate of appreciation to the San Diego Zoo for "their remarkable efforts to achieve a more sustainable San Diego."
• The State of California's Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) recognized the Zoological Society of San Diego in 2007 for our outstanding waste reduction efforts and letting the community know our business takes waste reduction seriously. The ZSSD earns the distinction as being among the state's leaders in improving the environment by reducing waste.
• The efforts of the Zoological Society of San Diego's advertising and marketing team were included in the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) 2007 Brass Ring Awards, receiving distinguished excellence awards for its campaign to publicize the Journey into Africa tour.
• The San Diego Society for Human Resource Management awarded the Zoological Society of San Diego the Crystal Award for Workplace Excellence as a mega employer on November 7, 2007. More than 150 San Diego employers competed to win the distinction of being one of San Diego's best places to work.
• At the 2007 Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) national conference, the Zoological Society of San Diego was honored with two prestigious awards: the AZA North American Conservation Award for our long-standing San Clement Loggerhead Shrike Recovery Program, and the AZA International Conservation Award for our collaborative efforts to conserve Asian turtle species (in partnership with the Fort Worth Zoo, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Zoo Atlanta, and the Wildlife Conservation Society).
• The Zoological Society received San Diego City's Environmental Partner award for 2007 for our efforts in diverting organics from the landfill by composting and providing environmental education through Enviro School.