Columbus Zoo and Aquarium & The Wilds
Who We Are: Home to more than 10,000 animals representing over 600 species worldwide, theColumbus Zoo and Aquarium leads and inspires by connecting people and wildlife. The Zoo complex is a recreational and educational destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and the 18-hole Safari Golf Club. The Columbus Zoo also manages The Wilds, an estimated 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio along the Appalachian Byway. The Wilds is among one of North America’s largest, cutting-edge conservation centers and is home to more than 500 animals representing 28 rare and endangered species from around the world.
What We Do: The Zoo and The Wilds are regional attractions with global impact–teaching local communities the importance of animals and how to help them. Whether during a visit to the Zoo or The Wilds, or during a classroom presentation, we are at the forefront of conservation education. Annually, privately raised funds are used to support conservation projects worldwide. Supporting over 70 projects and programs here in Ohio and in countries worldwide, our work to recover threatened species and our initiatives to move from human-wildlife conflict to human-wildlife coexistence is paramount.
Why We’re Important: The Columbus Zoo and The Wilds play a critical role in the survival of endangered species and allow people from all walks of life to experience and learn about the animal world. The animals are ambassadors to their cousins in the wild. After a visit, people often leave with a newfound understanding and compassion for wildlife. Animals have the power to touch our hearts. When this happens, it opens the door to education that can inspire people to participate in protecting animals and conserving their environments.
How We Impact the Community: We are dedicated to being responsible and accessible community partners. Through outreach and engagement programs, we invite diverse groups in our community to enrich their relationships with nature. These programs educate and empower people so they may be compelled to love and protect the future of wildlife and wildlife places.
250 attendees at The Wilds’ Wilde Camp; 1,910 Zoo education programs
50 schools participated in the Teen Eco Summit
4,659 admission tickets were distributed through Columbus Metropolitan Library’s culture pass program
6,290 families purchased Zoo Memberships, 490 families purchased Wilds Memberships through a program to help those receiving government assistance
How You Can Help: The Columbus Zoo and The Wilds are committed to educating our communities aboutanimals while supporting wildlife conservation worldwide. Please visit one of our parks for a great animal adventure, join our volunteer programs, or donate to support our pillars of education and access, wildlife conservation, and habitat transformation.Thank you for your consideration.
Connect with Columbus Zoo and Aquarium & The Wilds
4850 W.Powell Road, PO Box 400, Powell, Ohio 43065
14000 International Road, Cumberland, Ohio 43732614-228-9600
614-724-3497
www.columbuszoo.com
www.thewilds.com
President and CEO: Tom Schmid
VP of Philanthropy: Mayme Norman
Email: mayme.norman@columbuszoo.org
Board Chair: Keith Shumate 2021/2022, Katie Wolfe Lloyd 2023/2024
