[House] An Update from SFZS Board Chair and SF Zoo CEO

Fri Jun 12 15:00:07 PDT 2020

ANIMAIL - The latest news at San Francisco Zoo & Gardens!
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We would like to take a moment to say thank you for your support, loyalty and patience during this unprecedented time. Like you, we are witnessing the openings of various entities throughout our state and continue to adjust our daily routines and operations in order to comply with the latest COVID-19 protocols. We are confident that we can re-open our 100-acre park in a manner that is safe for staff, visitors and animals.

Although CA Governor Newsom has authorized zoos to reopen, our local public health office has not yet approved “extended Phase 2” entities such as zoos to open, except in the limited manner of childcare and camp programs.  When we do open more broadly, it is likely we will need to use online, timed ticketing to support physical distancing, require masks, reconfigure some of our pathways and employ stringent cleaning protocols.

Nevertheless, this period of closure, coinciding as it does with local and worldwide Black Lives Matter demonstrations, allows us to reflect upon our own organizational approach to diversity, equity and inclusion.  We are acutely aware that the sciences of zoology, conservation and animal medical care have been historically homogenous and that we and our colleagues from accredited zoos worldwide must act now to be more representative of the world in which we live.  We proudly have joined our accrediting body’s diversity committee, committed financial resources to career laddering of underserved communities and designed an internal mentoring program to promote our own candidates of diversity.  As we support the Black Lives Matter movement, we also pay tribute to the designated months of Asian Pacific American Heritage and LGBTQ Pride, now and always.

And finally, we wish to pay our respects in honor of Stephen “Rennie” Spaulding III, a former SF Zoological Society Board Chair and decades-long Zoo supporter, who passed away recently.  Rennie was particularly supportive of our employees’ global fieldwork and nominated the Zoo’s second female Executive Director in its 90-year history. Exemplifying his and his family’s generosity, they have asked that tributes to Rennie be made in the form of donations to the San Francisco Zoological Society.  Rennie was a true man of the world, having been stationed for work in the Philippines, Singapore and Pakistan, before ultimately retiring with his wife Elsa in San Francisco and Mexico.  His multi-cultural worldview and and respect for all people is something we all strive to emulate.

Edward G. Poole, Esq.
Chair of the Board
Tanya M Peterson, JD
CEO and Executive Director

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The San Francisco Zoo & Gardens connects people with wildlife, inspires caring for nature and advances conservation action.
Photos by Marianne Hale and SF Zoo staff

San Francisco Zoo and Gardens
Sloat Blvd at The Great Highway
San Francisco, Ca 94132
USA
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