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Denver and San Francisco Zoos Take Steps Towards Sustainability
Chris Connors & Brielle Plump
“The Denver Zoo is the first in the country to win international certification for its environmental management systems… The Denver Zoo was the first zoo in America to convert a traditional diesel fuel train to an environmentally friendly natural gas-powered zoo train,” according to a recent CBS report by Paul Day that highlighted the zoo’s milestone. Taking even simpler steps, like providing recycling and composts bins, are being taken by zoos across the nation as they continue setting an example for environmental action.
The San Francisco Zoo has recently implemented a recycling program, in an effort to feel their conservation efforts ex situ (at home) while continuing to reach out in situ (in the wild.) Other zoos are looking to cut back on wastes by converting their animal litter into usable energy, a process known as gasification. Brandon Conard, lead researcher for BlueMap Inc., a California based sustainability consulting firm, says managing zoo garbage is just a start.
“There are dozens of economically efficient upgrades zoos can make to further their positive impact on planetary maintenance; and the benefits are not just environmental,” says Conard. Reducing water usage and buying only local products for the zoos restaurant and gift shop cut back on monthly bills and CO2 emissions from shipping. Collecting rain water for irrigation in the zoos garden, using towels instead of paper napkins to cut employee wastes, eliminating bottled water, retrofitting gift shop lights, using only recycled paper, and providing only green soap in restrooms are all great starters!
Enhancing an ethic of sustainability in visitors and the zoo employees supplements the zoo's mission by encouraging them to beenvironmentally conscious in their personal lives. Conard insists that “enabling staff and guests to directly participate in the zoos mission makes it both a more enjoyable work place and recreational site, which no doubt benefits zoo revenue.”
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