65A - ZOO MASTER PLAN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Presentation and Approval of the Zoo Master Plan March 6, 2018 Page 2 the Santa Ana Zoo to compliment rather than compete with other local zoos. In 1998, the Master Plan was amended to include the current children's zoo and the Crean Family Farm. In the years since 1990, the zoo industry has changed dramatically and the Zoo's present Master Plan is outdated. Instead of only presenting a broad menagerie of animals as was the practice in the past, zoos today are focusing on saving endangered animals from extinction while teaching visitors to conserve the animals and plants in their local communities and wildlands. Many of the animals that were called out in the 1990 Zoo Master Plan are no longer kept in American zoos. In the Zoo's last Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Accreditation Report, the commission noted that the Zoo's facility plan and strategic business plan are both out of date and should be updated to reflect today's environment. AZA is a non-profit organization representing more than 230 zoos and aquariums in the United States and overseas. AZA has been the primary accrediting body for zoos for over 40 years. Maintaining AZA accreditation is essential in providing access to critical animal conservation programs and resources, improving access to funding and grants, easing permitting processes, and increasing public trust that an organization meets or exceeds current professional standards. In 2017, the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency hired CLR Design for the development of a new Zoo Master Plan. The Zoo Master Plan was facilitated by CLR, through a planning team including consultants, City staff, and community supporters. • Gregg Leicester, ASLA — Principal, CLR Design, a multidisciplinary zoo design firm. • David Walsh — Principal, Zoo Advisors, a full-service firm providing business, organizational, and financial expertise to zoos. • City Staff — Representatives from the Zoo, PRCSA Community Services, PRCSA Administration, Public Works Agency, and Planning and Building Agency. • Zoo Supporters — Staff and volunteers from Friends of Santa Ana Zoo, the Zoo's 501(c)(3) non-profit partner. • KPFF — Multi -disciplinary engineering firm. Throughout the eight-month planning process the planning team participated in a number of workshops which included a site inventory and analysis, concept testing and development, and final plan development. This new 20 year Master Plan is a blueprint for the Zoo to expand and improve its facilities to continue its profile as a treasured community asset. The Master Plan is not just a physical plan, it addresses the core of why the Zoo exists and sets its future direction. A phased approach for implementation is supported by the Strategic Plan which presents a balanced funding model with funding from earned (admissions, rides, programs), contributed (donations), and public funds as mechanisms to implement the plan. Additionally, the City of Santa Ana and Friends of Santa Ana Zoo are supporting implementation of this plan through funding of a renovation of the Amazon's Edge Exhibit with a new giant river otter habitat and primate trail. Funding is provided through park fee money, grants, and fundraising. 65A-2