Discover the Innovative Green Practices at Mesker Park Zoo: A Commitment to Sustainability
Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden is dedicated to the wise use of energy and natural resources. Our commitment to resource conservation is seamlessly integrated into every aspect of our decision-making process. Through a variety of green practices, we aim to reduce our environmental footprint and inspire our community to join us in creating a sustainable future.
Energy and Water Usage
At Mesker Park Zoo, we continually monitor and optimize our energy and water usage. Our approach includes regular maintenance of equipment to ensure peak efficiency, advising and monitoring staff on energy usage, and making capital investments that lower usage in both existing and new systems.
Amazonia: Forest of Riches, which opened in 2008, exemplifies our commitment to energy conservation. This exhibit incorporates several innovative features to reduce energy consumption. The building is strategically placed into a south-facing hill, allowing it to collect passive solar heat when needed. Inside, high-placed return ducts recirculate heated air, while high vents exhaust hot air in the summer to reduce cooling needs. Carefully located supply ducts ensure the comfort of staff, guests, and our living collections.
Our lighting program is another key component of our green practices. We have begun replacing traditional lighting with energy-efficient methods, including compact fluorescents and LED lighting. For instance, the Nocturnal exhibit underwent a renovation in 2009, incorporating LED lighting to reduce energy consumption. Additionally, in 2011, we invested over $22,000 to replace a small boiler in the Kley building heating system, allowing the larger boiler to be shut down for an additional 8-10 weeks each year. We have also added cleanout ports and temperature regulators to increase efficiency.
Waste Management
Mesker Park Zoo offers numerous opportunities for recycling consumer goods. Guests and staff have access to beverage container recycling, and we also recycle office paper, cardboard, glass, and plastic.
Botanical Services Center – Compost Facility and Nursery
Our Botanical Services Center – Compost Facility and Nursery plays a crucial role in our waste management strategy. In line with our Urban Forestry and Botanical Master Plan, we have developed a support facility for our botanical collection on a former Parks District property. This site, previously a tree waste dumping ground, has been transformed into a valuable resource for composting and nursery operations.
In 1996, we received an Indiana Department of Environmental Management Recycling Grant to develop the Botanical Services Center. With the grant, we purchased a large cuttermill and began the cleanup process in 1997. Over the years, our employees processed over three thousand cubic yards of organic waste, eliminating a potential pollution source for the local Pigeon Creek watershed and keeping the material out of landfills.
Through additional grants and partnerships, we have converted part of the land into a composting operation for organic waste generated by the Evansville Parks Department, Department of Urban Forestry, and the Levee Authority, in addition to our own waste. A 4500-square-foot concrete pad serves as the active area for the compost operation, reducing the waste stream to local landfills by an estimated 1000 cubic yards per year. The compost produced is a quality soil amendment used throughout the zoo. Our facility is an IDEM-registered Solid Waste Composting Facility, and we submit an annual report to IDEM detailing our composting activities.
Between 2006 and 2010, we composted a total of 1255 tons of landscape waste and manure. In 2004-2005, we added two greenhouses to support our botanical needs and assist with ecosystem restoration partnerships with Howell Wetlands and Prairie Creek Barrens Nature Preserve.
Soil and Site Conservation
Mesker Park Zoo is situated on a beautiful hilly site with numerous bodies of water. However, past poor management practices led to soil, woodland, and water quality degradation. Over the past decade, we have implemented best management practices for soil and water conservation, thanks to our cooperation with the Vanderburgh County Soil & Water Conservation District.
Our conservation projects include a demonstration rain garden by the entry complex, a low mow prairie grass demonstration garden, a native plant demonstration garden, the installation of a prairie grass filter strip in our Asian Wild Horse exhibit, the creation of a small wetland to filter runoff from the Asian Plains area, and over 650 linear feet of lakeshore erosion control plantings on Lake Victoria.
In 2010, we were honored with the Conservation Educator Award by the Vanderburgh County Soil and Water District for our outstanding conservation efforts. Additionally, our Demonstration Rain Garden won the Leadership Evansville Environmental Project Award in 2011.
Learn More About Green Practices
For more information on green practices and how you can implement them in your own life, check out resources from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA provides a wealth of information on sustainability, energy conservation, waste management, and other eco-friendly practices that can help individuals and organizations reduce their environmental impact.
Leading the Way in Green Practices: Mesker Park Zoo’s Sustainable Initiatives
Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden’s dedication to green practices extends beyond mere compliance with environmental standards; it reflects our deep commitment to sustainability and conservation. Through our innovative energy and water usage strategies, comprehensive waste management programs, and robust soil and site conservation efforts, we strive to create a model of environmental stewardship. Join us in our mission to protect and preserve our planet for future generations.