LAKE SUPERIOR ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY

The Lake Superior Zoo exists to provide close-up animal experiences that inspire connections to wildlife and action toward conservation in our region and around the world. Our vision is a future where all living things thrive together.

Our organizational goals area:
I. Build a compelling animal experience that meets the highest standards of animal well-being.
The LSZ and the surrounding community value in-person interactions and connections to animals and the natural world. It is our responsibility to assure guests of our animal welfare considerations and that animal care is our top priority. Contemporary animal habitats coupled with intentional educational messages can foster empathy for animals and positively influence a passion for conservation in our visitors. Modern zoological practices and philosophies guide each element.

II. Develop and implement a sustainable financial strategy that promotes the longevity of our presence in the community.
The LSZ values impactful partnerships with organizations and individuals with shared activities and values. We believe the path to maintaining a strong financial position involves fostering positive stakeholder relationships with government entities like the City of Duluth and State of Minnesota, elevating donor stewardship, and contingency planning for the future of our organization.

III. Empower staff through development and education.
Our mission is brought to life by the people who make it all a reality, and the LSZ is committed to reflection and growth through thoughtful engagement with all Zoo staff through ongoing initiatives. Furthering a positive and transparent culture coupled with expanded professional development opportunities will enhance operations and promote retention. Investing in diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion initiatives and practices will help us reflect the communities we serve and grow as an organization. Partnerships with regional associations can provide stability and rewarding opportunities for our staff.

IV. Establish the Zoo as a trusted conservation leader in our community.
At the LSZ, we value animal welfare and conservation that supports upholding and exceeding Association of Zoos & Aquariums standards. Each decision we make is grounded in animal care, and we can positively affect the perception of zoos and aquariums through intentional communications of welfare standards. Building and expanding relationships with similar organizations will enhance the impact of our mission and broaden our reach as a conservation organization.

V. Develop and maintain a long-term facilities plan.
The LSZ will address aging infrastructure and deferred maintenance through several approaches including a long-term facilities plan. We will allocate adequate resources to develop future plans and design revitalize existing spaces with feedback from staff and other stakeholders.

I. Build a compelling animal experience that meets the highest standards of animal welfare.
- Develop animal habitats and exhibits that build connections to regional and global conservation.
- Develop immersive ways to engage guests in the natural world
- Create greater transparency about how our staff ensure the best animal care possible.
- Develop engaging animal and guest interactions

II. Develop and implement a sustainable financial strategy that promotes the longevity of our presence in the community.
- Build and foster sponsor and donor relationships
- Intentionally connect with potential donors for projects
- Ensure economic sustainability through responsible saving, investing, and budgeting

III. Empower staff through development and education.
- Provide meaningful and fulfilling staff experiences
- Recruit, hire, and build a diverse and inclusive staff that reflects the communities we serve
- Build and leverage mission-based partnerships to enhance collaborative opportunities for staff and volunteers
- Thoughtful engagement with all staff to maintain a positive organizational culture
- Reflecting on past experience to continue to grow as an organization

IV. Establish the Zoo as a trusted conservation leader in our community.
- Highlight AZA standards to inform attitudes and perceptions of animals in human care
- Develop mission-based partnerships that increase our impact and outreach through opportunities and experiences
- Engage in capacity-building strategies to provide staff with additional opportunities to participate in conservation research and field programs

V. Develop and maintain a long-term facilities plan.
- Revitalize and creatively adapt existing spaces.
- Address aging infrastructure and maintenance while enhancing unique experiences.
- Create attainable plans to mitigate aging infrastructure and deferred maintenance

The Lake Superior Zoological Society is well-positioned to accomplish our goals and is on a path of forward momentum.

As the 19th oldest zoo in the United States, we will celebrate our 100-year anniversary in 2023, and look ahead to the next 100 years with the help of this increased funding.

Each year, thousands of people interact with our educational programming and content, whether that’s while visiting the zoo, attending a program through our Zoomobile outreach initiative, or at the only year-round nature-based preschool located at a zoo in Minnesota. Education and conservation are the cornerstone elements of our mission, and we accomplish our goals by providing programming to children across the arrowhead region from Carlton to Grand Marais to the Iron Range.

2022 was a year of growth, opportunity, revitalization, and triumph at the Lake Superior Zoo. A culmination of hard work and commitment to wildlife, conservation, and animal wellbeing was instrumental in our outstanding Association of Zoos & Aquariums inspection and following renewed accreditation.

Each day our team champions efforts that make the Zoo’s vision and mission come to life. As we embarked on our AZA accreditation journey, we updated our master and strategic plan highlighting increased conservation efforts and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs though our first-ever DEAI plan. Our 15-year master plan was unanimously approved by the Duluth Parks & Recreation commission as well as Duluth City Council. Our strategic plan defines objectives and goals that will work in harmony to achieve our master plan phases such as constructing and/or renovating the main building, improving access to the Zoo through various DEAI initiatives, and prioritizing animal care and wellbeing.

With our strategic and master plan updates, City of Duluth administration support, and our forward momentum, we have experienced significant progress since 2021.

We currently have three grant projects in progress that will restore our nature trail, enhance interactive experiences across zoo grounds, highlight the importance of AZA accreditation, and add parallel play experiences in an existing playground space. In addition, we have a brand-new world-class red panda habitat that will open this spring.