[House] Thanksgiving Message from the Director

Wed Nov 25 10:00:27 PST 2020

ANIMAIL - The latest news at San Francisco Zoo & Gardens!
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Dear Friends of SF Zoo & Gardens,

This Thanksgiving, the most important message I can convey is that you stay safe during this still precarious time. While some of you may be able to convert decks or yards into spaces for gatherings of loved ones; others are not as fortunate.  Luckily, there is a 100-acre outdoor space that is committed — and now proven — to be a safe place for everyone.  That place is the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, operated by a non-profit, the San Francisco Zoological Society, of which I am honored to be at its helm.

The former lawyer in me can’t help but use terms like “proof” and “evidence,” which may seem unusual at an institution committed to education and conservation, but I contend concepts like metrics and data are most appropriate at non-profits where the “bottom line” is not easily defined.  As the below “white paper” reveals, your Zoo may be the safest place in town, thanks to modern technology and new audit systems. When these are combined with scientific evidence supporting outdoor ventilation and face coverings, I rest my case.

And who says you can’t teach an old lawyer new tricks?

Enjoy the below, and stay safe this holiday.

My very best,
Tanya M. Peterson, JD
CEO and Executive Director

A “SAFE” SF Zoo & Gardens

The 2020 holiday season undoubtedly limits activity with loved ones due to pandemic exposure risk. Fortunately, there is a 100-acre family friendly San Francisco park open every day that is committed - and now proven - to be a safe place, even now. That place is the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens operated by a non-profit, the San Francisco Zoological Society, and I am honored to be at its helm, especially during these challenging times.

“Connect, Care and Conserve” are the guiding “Three Cs” of SF Zoo’s mission statement. Current times have helped us realize that, for us, “Care” must extend to our Community, our pillar “C.” Our interdisciplinary team is dedicated to the wellness of the animals within our care; in turn, when our visitors connect with our animals, we also support their wellness. Our mission includes a commitment to the Conservation of a naturally healthy, balanced ecosystem. At San Francisco Zoo, this ecosystem includes the wellness of our plants, animals, staff and visitors.

To evaluate and prove our commitment to our visitors, SF Zoo & Gardens incorporates advanced technologies and procedures to establish, monitor and maintain our ecosystem in a way that exceeds city, state and federal public health guidelines. Our approach includes a science-based, measured understanding of the health of our site. At SF Zoo, we use this knowledge to manage our unique ecosystem and provide optimal conditions for a healthy, safe and enjoyable visit, always, and especially during Covid-19 times.

SF Zoo & Garden’s current program of care optimizes four (4) primary conditions to improve the connection between visitors, animals and natural habitat conservation:

1. Our Climatic Connection with the Pacific Ocean Creates a Healthy, Open-Air Environment.

Our 100-acre park’s position adjacent to the Pacific Ocean at Ocean Beach is unique, irreplaceable and valuable.  Prevailing winds coming from the Pacific provide some of the Bay Area’s best quality air.  Our extensive trees and gardens enhance the carbon filtering to maintain and improve the source air.   We are one of San Francisco’s largest parks with over 5 miles of accessible paths to improve cardiac health.  Our natural sounds, senses and sights further improve conditions for human health regeneration.

2. Human / Animal Connections are Healthy Connections.

U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH) research shows interaction with animals decreases levels of stress hormones and lowers blood pressure. Studies performed at zoos across the country demonstrate numerous positive health effects for zoo visitors from lowered heart rate to positive emotional feelings when observing animals. Other studies (http:newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets) have found that domestic animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support and boost mood.  We are extending this connection to active engagement in many ways, including our partnership with Brady Riding Horse Therapy Program that facilitates this connection between animals and children with alternative sensory processing modalities, and provides these children safe opportunities to explore this important relationship.

3. The Zoological Society provides extensive environmental health oriented educational programs and policies.

We have been pioneering outdoor education for all ages for decades. We have professional educators, camp counselors, docents and a myriad of volunteers available and focused on healthy education. These include our Zoo Camp, Nature Trail, Junior Zoologist and undergraduate as well as graduate level learning opportunities. Our Covid-19 programs and procedures have been developed through months-long collaboration with City and State Public Health Officers. Our operational policies establish and protect animal and visitor health, especially to provide Covid-19 protections.

4. We measure, learn from and apply findings to the health of our park.

At the Zoo we are using advanced technologies to measure a range of conditions to confirm the standard of our climate health. These include:
* An array of Air Quality Sensors (indoors and out). These indicated that our toxic air quality particulate matter range was 30% - 200% lower than other San Francisco outdoor sites during the 2020 wildfire season. These data serve as testament to the health value of our location. Our data also revealed that our air quality was better than many inland indoor locations. We track and share this data.
* Additional Sensors monitor our visitor density, distance, and flow. These methods indicate that the Zoo has achieved better than an 83% rate of social distance of more than 6’ among groups in its most congested locations and times. The Zoo has been able to apply the findings to refine flow to improve this rate further.
* We monitor our staff and visitor mask participation rate and have maintained a standard of over 99%. This is well above the rate on Muni (90%) and in SF public spaces (80%). In San Francisco, there is a 68% chance that everyone is masked in five random encounters. At the Zoo, this chance is 98%, for an effective safety rate of 18 times that in the City at large. (New York Times: Published July 17, 2020. Last update July 28, 2020 Covid-19-data/mask-use/)
* Optimal Viral Load Dispersal conditions. Using Wind, Daylight and Temperature Sensors and applying that knowledge at a micro-climate level, we have the ability to measure natural climate patterns and modify our responses to them to increase the conditions for Covid-19 viral load dispersal.

With outdoor environments known to have better dispersal rates than indoors, with technology to monitor environmental variables and to create visitor flow to further improve the natural viral load dispersal, with a 98% mask safety encounter rate, and Safety Ambassador Volunteers helping to monitor and advise on best health practices, SF Zoo is a good place to be during the pandemic.

Couple the Covid-19 transmission management with the other physical, mental and emotional healthy conditions provided by our fantastic air quality, human/animal connections and topped by outstanding educational programs, the San Francisco Zoo offers a very special, healthy place to enjoy.

During this time of COVID-19, when so many of us are hyper-vigilant about our proximity to people that are not within our “bubble,” we pride ourselves that no matter the circumstances, the care and wellness of our animals remains our highest priority. Our work to re-open the Zoo in a safe manner and in compliance with all City and State guidelines is a model for other institutions to follow. And a safe, trustworthy outdoor environment has proven so far to be a true respite for our visitors. In tandem with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ SAFE (Saving Species From Extinction) programs, whereas professional institutions focus on saving specific animal species through wellness and conservation, SF Zoo is at the forefront with its animal wellness programs. As zoos work to conserve animals through wellness initiatives, having zoos open during this unpredictable time does much to help human wellness.

** SF Zoo Membership Every Day!
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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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