IndIanapolIs Zoo annual RepoRt 2011

electRonIcs RecyclInG
The Zoo typically hosts two electronics recycling events
each year––one in the spring and one in the fall. On
average, we collect 15–20 tons of electronics at each of
these two-day events. But in late 2011, we partnered with
the Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee’s 1st and
Green program to host a third electronics recycling
event in December and broke our record for the most
electronics collected at a Zoo event. With the help of
our partner RecycleForce, we collected more than 23
tons in just over five hours.
MycaRBonpledGe.coM
Mycarbonpledge.com is now in its fourth year, and we’ve
made progress in reducing CO2 emissions by more than
15.5 million pounds to date through almost 9,000 pledges.
This is the equivalent of taking more than 1,300 cars off
the road.
polaR BeaRs InteRnatIonal
The Indianapolis Zoo was awarded the Paw of Approval
Award in April 2011 by Polar Bears International. The Zoo has
been an Arctic Ambassador for Polar Bears International
since 2010 and was recognized for its efforts in polar bear
conservation. In addition to receiving the award, the Zoo
had the honor of presenting a Paw of Approval award to
a local business leader in energy conservation. We were
pleased to present our first Paw of Approval award to
Cummins, Inc. in April 2011 for their outstanding leadership
in the area of environmental stewardship.
cliZen
Funded by the National Science Foundation, CLiZEN
stands for the Climate Literacy Zoo Education Network.
It consists of a group of zoos from across the country
(including ours), Polar Bears International, and many
different types of researchers. The goal of the first
phase of the project completed in 2011 was to understand
people’s attitudes about climate change so we, as zoos,
can better understand how to address the issue with
visitors, and hopefully, in the future, develop programs and
exhibits that help encourage a change in their behaviors.
educatIonal pRoGRaMs
Nearly 80,000 young minds were turned toward future
conservation issues through a variety of educational
programs, including more than 73,000 students who
made a field trip to the Zoo in 2011. More than 5,600
other participants enjoyed the Dolphin In-Water
Adventure, Zoo Camps, Overnights, Distance Learning,
Adventure Tours, and Animal Art programs.
17