DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET INFORMATION ZOOLOGICAL INSTITUTE (44)
MISSION other conservation programs, and provides The mission of the Detroit Zoological formal and informal educational programs, Institute (DZI) is: “Celebrating and Saving which reach over 300,000 school children Wildlife.” each year.
DESCRIPTION MAJOR INITIATIVES The Zoological Institute operates three In 2003, the Detroit Zoo was recognized by facilities: the 125-acre Detroit Zoological the American Zoo and Aquarium Park located in the cities of Royal Oak and Association with a significant Achievement Huntington Woods, (the Belle Isle Zoo is no Award in the exhibit category for the longer open to the public but a deer herd is “Arctic Ring of Life”. being managed), the Belle Isle Nature Zoo and the Belle Isle Aquarium, the nation’s The plan for the Detroit Zoological Institute oldest continuously operating freshwater is a mix of projects addressing renovation aquarium. In FY 03-04 the Institute and infrastructure needs, as well as new assumed responsibility for the Belle Isle development to improve conservation and Nature Center and began its conversion to education efforts. These efforts will provide the Belle Isle Nature Zoo through compelling new experiences for the visiting programmatic changes and the planning and public, thereby generating significant design of capital renovations. economic impact.
The Detroit Zoological Institute facilities In FY 2004-05, the current Belle Isle features 52 major exhibits, representing over Nature Center will continue its 8,766 mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, dramatic renovation into the Belle Isle fishes, and invertebrates of 515 species, 98 Nature Zoo. This unique blend of of which are endangered or threatened, and nature center and zoo, which is 8 of which are recognized as extinct in the targeted for use by Detroit schools and wild. Detroit families, will focus on native Michigan wildlife, including black The Institute entertains and educates over bears, cougars, deer, wolves, small 1,200,000 visitors annually. At the Detroit mammals, amphibian and reptiles. Zoo, over 2,000 parking spaces are available Some programmatic upgrades will be to zoo visitors in both surface lots and in place in FY 2003-2004. Major covered structure. Also available are five capital improvements are expected to refreshment stands and five gift shops. be underway in FY 2004-2005. Visitors to the Detroit Zoo may also elect to ride on the Wild Adventure Simulator or the The installation of back-flow miniature railroad, which operates prevention valves at the main seasonally. connection so that the entire Detroit Zoo will be in compliance with the As part of its commitment to conservation Southeast Oakland County Water and education, the DZI participates in more Authority (SOCWA) DEQ/Freshwater than 35 Species Survival Plans and many Backflow Prevention Mandate. The
CITY OF DETROIT 2004-2005 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PAGE C 83 DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET INFORMATION ZOOLOGICAL INSTITUTE (44)
Zoo is required by law to implement PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE the water back-flow prevention Work continues on the Detroit program by the Michigan Department Zoological Institute’s Master Plan, the of Environmental Quality. long-range physical and programmatic roadmap for the future. In FY 2004-05 the Zoo will open its brand new $9 million Ford Center for The National Invertebrate Environmental and Conservation Conservation Center (NICC), a first- Education. This 38,000 square foot of-its-kind facility similar to the award facility will use the latest in interactive winning, highly acclaimed National technology to teach children about the Amphibian Conservation Center, will natural world. highlight the diversity of invertebrate life on earth, from marine forms such Technology Infrastructure upgrades as jellies and sea stars, to land- including electrical wiring and dwelling tarantulas, ants, and installation of Creston-controlled A/V dragonflies during FY 2006-07. media racks in the new hospital, education building and Belle Isle The implementation of Phase I of the Nature Zoo will provide our visitors Physical Masterplan will begin with with valuable animal welfare and the demolition and replacement of conservation information as well as deteriorating buildings such as the giving guest speakers more Bear Den and the Veldt Building presentation options. during FY 2007-08.