IndIanapolIs Zoo annual RepoRt 2011

MakInG a dIFFeRence
The Indianapolis Zoo’s volunteer program continues to
provide critical support for staff and visitors, and in 2011,
the total number of hours given to the Zoo was equivalent
to having 27.7 more employees! Our volunteers make a
real difference in the quality of care we are able to offer
our living collections and our valued visitors.
More than 800 individuals between the ages of 14 and
89 volunteered in 2011. Some of these individuals were
employees of BMO Harris Bank, Macy’s, UPS, and Prologis
and student groups from the University of Indianapolis,
IUPUI, Butler University, and Pike High School. Nearly 25
percent of the individuals volunteered for a special event,
such as Zoobilation, Halloween ZooBoo, or Christmas
at the Zoo.
Teens gained skills transferrable to future employment,
college interns received on-the-job training to enhance
their resumes, and adults shared their skills with both
staff and guests and learned new ones. Zoo volunteers
continue to go above and beyond expectations to help
further our mission and share our conservation messages.
Volunteers worked an astonishing total of 57,813 hours
in 2011, and the average Zoo volunteer worked 70.9 hours,
which is well above the state average of 36.9 hours served
per individual per year at multiple locations. The City
of Indianapolis and Central Indiana continue to have a
strong group of dedicated individuals willing to serve,
and we are thrilled that they choose to donate their
time and talents to us.
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