About the Nonprofit
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Mission Statement
The mission of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee is to conserve wildlife and endangered species, educate people about the importance of wildlife and the environment, and support the Milwaukee County Zoo.
Conservation
We support Zoo conservation programs, including the long-term ecological study of the Humboldt penguin; the study and care of migrating birds at the Milwaukee County Zoo; the Milwaukee Ape Heart Project, which studies the prevalence of heart disease in captive great apes; and much more. The Society has collaborated with regional conservation groups, the state of Wisconsin, and the Zoo to help reintroduce to Wisconsin such species as the trumpeter swan and the ornate box turtle.
Education
Throughout the year, the Zoological Society brings exceptional animal, environmental and science-based educational opportunities to children and adults. The programs help people of all ages develop an understanding of wildlife and some of the environmental challenges the earth faces. The education department also houses Kohl’s Wild Theater, the nation’s largest zoo-based theater program. KWT brings fun conservation-themed shows free of charge to schools and other venues around southeastern Wisconsin and, in summer, the Milwaukee County Zoo.
Support
Thanks to the vision of community leaders and the generosity of many friends, the Society has invested millions in capital improvements to the Zoo. In 2018, the Society and Zoo announced a new capital campaign called Window to the Wild that will reimagine the Zoo over the next 25 years. In the first phase, the Society aims to raise $25 million that will match county funds to create new exhibits for the elephants, hippos, rhinos and African hoofstock in a new area called Adventure Africa.
Support also includes raising funds for maintaining and creating educational and innovative exhibits, designing signs and graphics at the Zoo and creating brochures and other promotional materials.
