OKC Zoo's Sustainability Efforts Boosted by New Grants and Partnerships

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden has received two grants and a partnership to support its sustainability projects. The grants, worth $532,000 in total, were given by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG). These funds will be used for different sustainability initiatives, with the zoo's Sustainability Coordinator, Kelly Dillow, leading the efforts.

The DEQ grant of $250,000 will be used to install recycled rubberized asphalt in the zoo's new expansion, Shore to Sea. This project aims to recycle over 50 million tires from Oklahoma landfills, improving the quality of the asphalt. Kelly Dixon, DEQ's Land Protection Division Director, believes the project will benefit the environment and the health of Oklahomans.

The ACOG grant of $282,000 will be used to convert six zoo vehicles from gas to electric and to set up solar-powered carports at the zoo. These carports will be used as charging stations for electric vehicles and carts. Eric Pollard, ACOG Air Quality and Clean Cities Manager, said the project will show the public the benefits of renewable energy from solar panels.

The zoo has also partnered with Fertile Ground Cooperative on a Community Compost Grant. ACOG received a $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a community composting program. Fertile Ground will work with the zoo and other organizations to set up community compost drop-off sites in the metro area.

The Oklahoma City Zoo is committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility. These grants and partnerships will help the zoo improve its operations and contribute to a greener future for Oklahomans. The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., promoting environmental stewardship in the community.

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