activities · 19
what they do
direct service · 19
- Community Access and Inclusion ProgramsProvides discounted admission for Arizona SNAP/WIC participants, offers community memberships to non-profit agencies serving vulnerable populations, and hosts "DreamNight" for children with special healthcare needs. The zoo also offers exclusive "Behind the Scenes Experiences" and volunteer opportunities for community engagement.
- Community Access and Inclusion ProgramsProvides discounted admission for Arizona SNAP/WIC participants, offers community memberships to non-profit agencies serving vulnerable populations, and hosts "DreamNight" for children with special healthcare needs and their families to experience the Zoo free of charge.
- Community Engagement and Volunteer ProgramsEngages the community through volunteer opportunities, including a Community Engagement Volunteer position for individuals with aides or job coaches, and for families. Volunteers educate guests about animals, habitats, and conservation. The zoo also hosts "DreamNight," an exclusive event for children with special healthcare needs and their families.
- Conservation Support Conservation Grantmaking and Funded InitiativesSupports conservation programs aimed at protecting wild animals and their habitats, with a portion of ticket purchases contributing to these efforts.
- Conservation Support Conservation Grantmaking and Funded InitiativesSupports conservation programs aimed at protecting wild animals and wild places, funded in part by ticket purchases and sales from the Discover the Wild Gift Shop.
- Conservation Support and AwarenessSupports conservation programs to protect wild animals and wild places, partially funded through ticket purchases. The zoo also provides free webcams and STEM-based activity packets for classroom learning to raise awareness about conservation.
- Educational Programs and Experiences Zoo-Based Environmental Education ProgramsOffers a variety of educational experiences for visitors, including daily presentations, Zoo Keeper Experiences, giraffe feeding encounters, and behind-the-scenes tours. The zoo also provides free Zoo Adventure Programs (ZAP) for K-12 students in Title I schools, free "Zoo to You" outreach programs, and free self-guided school field trips.
- Educational Programs and Experiences Zoo-Based Environmental Education ProgramsProvides educational experiences for visitors of all ages, including daily presentations, Zoo Keeper Experiences, giraffe feeding encounters, free Zoo Adventure Programs (ZAP) for K-12 Title I students, free "Zoo to You" outreach programs, and free self-guided school field trips with Bio Bags and Activity Packets. Also offers an interactive nature play zone called World of Play with sensory exhibits.
- Educational Programs and Experiences Zoo-Based Environmental Education ProgramsProvides a variety of educational experiences for visitors, including daily presentations, Zoo Keeper Experiences, giraffe feeding encounters, and an Audio Safari Tour. The zoo also offers free programs for K-12 students in Title I schools (Zoo Adventure Programs), free "Zoo to You" outreach programs, and free self-guided school field trips with educational materials.
- Private Event Hosting and CateringOffers the zoo as a venue for private events such as birthday parties, reunions, weddings, and corporate gatherings. This includes providing event planning services, an executive chef, and catering options, with revenue supporting zoo operations, conservation, and education.
- Private Event Hosting and CateringOffers the zoo as a venue for private events such as birthday parties, reunions, weddings, and corporate gatherings. The organization provides event planning services, an executive chef, and a catering department to manage event details, with revenue supporting zoo operations, conservation, and education.
- Private Event Hosting and CateringOffers the zoo as a venue for private events such as birthday parties, reunions, weddings, and corporate gatherings, providing event planning services, an executive chef, and catering options. Revenue generated supports zoo operations, conservation, and education.
- Visitor Amenities and Accessibility ServicesProvides various amenities and accessibility services for visitors, including an audio tour, free photo opportunities, accessible restrooms, wheelchair and stroller rentals, noise-cancelling headphones, and general and sensory maps. The zoo also offers discounted admission for Arizona SNAP/WIC participants and community memberships for non-profit agencies.
- Visitor Attractions and Amenities Zoo Exhibit and Visitor Experience OperationsOperates attractions such as the Cox Wildlife Carousel and the Reid Park Zoo Railway. The zoo also provides free photo opportunities, including augmented reality experiences, and offers dining options at the Flamingo Grill and souvenirs at the Discover the Wild Gift Shop.
- Visitor Attractions and Tours Zoo Exhibit and Visitor Experience OperationsOperates attractions such as the Cox Wildlife Carousel and the Reid Park Zoo Railway, offers an Audio Safari Tour via QR codes, provides free photo opportunities including augmented reality experiences, and conducts exclusive "Behind the Scenes Experiences" and tours.
- Volunteer Engagement Zoo-Based Environmental Education ProgramsEngages Community Engagement Volunteers, including individuals requiring an aide or job coach and families, to educate guests about animals, habitats, and conservation.
- Zoo Operation and Animal Exhibition Zoo Exhibit and Visitor Experience OperationsOperates the Reid Park Zoo daily, housing over 400 animals from around the world, and providing various visitor amenities such as accessible restrooms, rental equipment (wheelchairs, strollers), and noise-cancelling headphones.
- Zoo Operation and Animal Exhibits Zoo Exhibit and Visitor Experience OperationsOperates the Reid Park Zoo, housing over 400 animals from around the world, and provides daily access to the public. The zoo features various exhibits, including an interactive nature play zone called World of Play, and offers amenities like accessible restrooms, strollers, and wheelchairs.
- Zoo Operation and Animal Exhibits Zoo Exhibit and Visitor Experience OperationsOperates the Reid Park Zoo, housing over 400 animals from around the world, and provides daily access to visitors. The zoo features various exhibits and attractions including the World of Play interactive nature zone, the Cox Wildlife Carousel, and the Reid Park Zoo Railway.
strategies · 12
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Community Access for Underserved Populations community_accessCommits to making the zoo and its programs accessible to low-income and/or underserved children and families, based on the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to connect with nature and wildlife regardless of economic status.
- Conservation Education through Visitor Experience conservation_educationLeverages zoo visits and engaging experiences to educate the public about wildlife and conservation, aiming to inspire action for the protection of wild animals and their habitats.
- Event-Based Fundraising and Engagement event-venue-utilizationThe organization leverages its unique zoo environment and exotic animal settings as distinctive venues for private events. This strategy serves both as a fundraising mechanism to support its mission and as a way to offer memorable, immersive experiences that connect guests with the zoo's purpose.
- Experiential Conservation Education conservation_educationThe organization uses immersive, fun, and educational experiences within the zoo environment to teach visitors about wildlife and natural habitats, thereby promoting conservation of wild animals and places. This includes sensory-based play for children and general educational opportunities for all visitors.
- Experiential Conservation Education conservation_educationThe organization uses immersive, fun, and educational experiences, including sensory-based play in natural settings and guided zoo visits, to teach visitors about nature, biodiversity, and the importance of conserving wild animals and their habitats. This approach aims to foster a connection with wildlife and inspire conservation action.
- Experiential Learning through Play experiential_learning_through_playUses sensory-based, imaginative play in natural settings to teach children about nature and biodiversity from an animal-centered perspective.
- Fundraising through Unique Event Venue Utilization event-venue-utilizationThe organization leverages its distinctive zoo environment, featuring exotic animals and natural surroundings, as a memorable and immersive setting for private events. This strategy serves as a fundraising mechanism to support its mission of animal conservation.
- Inclusive Access and Sensory Accommodation inclusive_practicesThe organization implements practices to ensure accessibility for all visitors, including accommodations for service animals and mobility devices, and provides resources like sensory maps and social narratives to create a sensory-friendly environment for individuals with sensitivities. It also aims to make the zoo accessible to low-income and underserved communities.
- Inclusive Accessibility Practices inclusive_practicesImplements various accommodations, such as managing service animals, permitting mobility devices, and providing sensory-friendly resources, to ensure the zoo and its programs are accessible to all visitors, including those with disabilities or sensory sensitivities.
- Inclusive and Accessible Visitor Experience inclusive_practicesThe organization is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive environment for all visitors, including those with disabilities or sensory sensitivities. This involves accommodating service animals and mobility devices, providing sensory-friendly resources, and ensuring community access for low-income and underserved families to connect with nature.
- Venue-Based Fundraising and Event Utilization venue-based_fundraisingUtilizes the zoo's unique and exotic animal environment as a distinctive venue for private events, which serves as a fundraising mechanism to support its mission and provides memorable, immersive experiences for guests.
- Visitor Navigation and Guidance visitor_navigation_supportThe organization provides tools such as audio-based narration and visitor maps to guide guests through the zoo, enhancing their experience and helping them navigate the grounds effectively.
named programs · 18
what they call their work
Animal Encounter Add-on
An option to invite an animal ambassador to a birthday party.
Behind-the-Scenes Tours
Pre-booked tours offering a look at the inner workings of the Zoo.
Bio Bags
Backpacks filled with hands-on artifacts like skull and bone replicas, along with instructions, for teachers to use during field trips or in the classroom.
Birthday Package
A comprehensive birthday party package including Zoo admission, a dedicated attendant, food, drinks, and carousel tickets.
Community Partnerships & Outreach Events
Collaboration with local non-profits on fundraisers, drives, and outreach events to bring the Zoo to the public.
Cox Jungle Carousel
A custom carousel ride for visitors.
Daily Zoo Keeper Talks
Informative talks by zookeepers about the animals.
Discount for EBT Card Holders (SNAP/WIC)
Reduced admission price for individuals participating in Arizona SNAP/WIC programs.
Donation of Zoo Admission Tickets
Donation of general daytime admission tickets to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations for charitable causes.
DreamNight
An exclusive evening event at the Zoo for children with special health care needs, disabilities, and their families, offered free of charge.
Giraffe Feed
Daily opportunity for visitors to hand-feed giraffes under supervision.
Pima County Public Library’s Culture Pass
Provides free daytime admission passes for two people to the Zoo through a partnership with Act One and Pima County Public Library.
Reid Park Zoo Railway
A train ride attraction within the Zoo.
School Field Trips
Free self-guided field trips to the Zoo for K-12 students, with optional Bio Bags and Activity Packets.
Social Service Memberships
Discounted memberships for 501(c)(3) non-profit agencies working with child and family services, mental health programs, and homeless clients.
Web Cams and Activity Packets
Online webcams and downloadable STEM-based activity packets for classroom learning about Zoo animals.
Zoo Adventure Programs (ZAP)
Free 45-minute programs featuring live animal ambassadors for K-12 students in Title I schools, covering topics like habitats, adaptations, and conservation.
Zoo to You Outreach Programs
Free outreach programs bringing animal and conservation education to classrooms for schools unable to visit the Zoo.
relationships · 9
who they work with
- Act One Partner — Participates in the Act One Culture Pass program, a partnership between Act One, public libraries, and arts and cultural institutions.
- Angel Charity for Children Partner — Funded and partnered to create the World of Play exhibit at Reid Park Zoo.
- Craft Culinary Partner — Catering partner that supports the Reid Park Zoological Society's mission at special and private events, providing service and culinary creations.
- Craft Culinary Partner — On-site catering partner for birthday parties and handles party arrangements.
- MuzeMerch Partner — Online platform that carries a variety of selections for convenient online shopping of zoo merchandise.
- Pima County Public Library Partner — Provides free daytime admission passes through the Pima County Public Library’s Culture Pass program.
- Reid Park Partner — Shares grounds with Reid Park, providing adjacent green space visible from the Conservation Learning Center venue.
- Sun Tran Partner — Public transit provider that makes the zoo accessible via bus routes #7 and #17.
- University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) Partner — Partners with UCEDD for staff training and to improve accessibility in education programs.