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Agreement with US Geological Survey Western Ecological Resource Center at the Santa <br />Ana Zoo <br />October 17, 2023 <br />Page 2 <br />organizations that can help us move specific, shared objectives forward, even if they <br />may not perfectly align with all of our values. <br />In 2013, the City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding with USGS and <br />the Zoo has since served as a home office for the area's field biologists and several <br />researchers. This agreement continues the relationship begun in 2013 and extended in <br />2018. USGS pays for the mobile office lease and will pay for their share of utilities <br />expenses (electricity, water, and sewer). <br />This partnership has facilitated the Zoo becoming more involved in conservation <br />programs and the USGS is able to utilize the Zoo's facilities for their research. In 2017, <br />Zoo staff joined a conservation program for the endangered mountain yellow -legged <br />frog, which is facilitated by USGS. The frog is native to the upper reaches of the Santa <br />Ana River Watershed and is a direct connection to water conservation and our local <br />environment. A small breeding laboratory exists on -site at the Zoo. <br />In addition to partnering on active conservation programs, USGS staff have access to <br />the Zoo's education classrooms to teach habitat restoration workshops and wildlife <br />lectures. Zoo visitors and the community benefit from the increased education <br />programs and local conservation efforts provided by the USGS at the Zoo. <br />The USGS serves the nation by developing reliable scientific information used to <br />promote wise management of the nation's natural resources that promotes the health, <br />safety, and well-being of the people. Because of the diversity of environments and <br />natural resource issues within Southern California, the USGS and Zoo have a mutual <br />and evolving interest in cooperative research projects and operational programs in the <br />area of environmental sciences. This agreement will be for a five-year term. <br />EXHIBIT(S) <br />1. Agreement-USGS <br />Submitted By: Francisco Arroyo, Principal Management Analyst <br />Approved By: Steven A. Mendoza, Assistant City Manager <br />