{"id":85,"date":"2023-08-20T14:21:16","date_gmt":"2023-08-20T20:21:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost:10029\/?page_id=85"},"modified":"2025-11-26T14:29:28","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T20:29:28","slug":"sustainability","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/conservation\/sustainability\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustainability"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\">[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\r\n<h2>What&#8217;s the Greenest Zoo in America\u00ae Doing to Combat Climate Change?<\/h2>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Cincinnati Zoo is working toward increasing our resilience and our regenerative impact in our own backyard, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon sequestration efforts.\u00a0 See for yourself!\u00a0 <a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/plan-your-adventure\/behind-the-scenes-experiences\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Book a green tour<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<a class=\"button\" title=\"Our Sustainability Storybook\" href=\"https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/CZBG-Sustainability-Story-2020.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Our Sustainability Storybook<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\r\n<p class=\"even\"><i class=\"fa fa-newspaper fa-2x first-child odd\"><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/category\/sustainability\/\">Read recent Sustainability news and stories.<\/a><\/p>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_section][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;]<div data-aos=\"fade-up\" class=\"image-block themed\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/lo-res-solar-panels.jpg\" alt=\"solor panels in zoos parking lot\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 500px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 500\/420;\" \/><\/div><!-- .img-block -->[\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;]<div class=\"spacer\" style=\"padding-bottom:40px;\"><\/div>[vc_column_text]\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Renewable Energy<\/h3>\r\nThe Zoo aims to generate more renewable electricity for the grid via our own solar arrays.\u00a0 Our on-campus arrays currently meet 65% of our annual electricity needs, and when considering solar on all Zoo owned properties- we are producing 4x more electricity than we use.\u00a0 In the next 5 years we plan to meet 100% of our on-site demand with solar production.\r\n\r\nBy upgrading equipment and infrastructure, performing audits, building to LEED platinum standards, electrifying our fleet, and installing solar renewable energy systems the Zoo is reducing our need for fossil fuels and generating renewable energy- not just for ourselves, but for our community.\r\n\r\n<a class=\"button\" title=\"Our Solar Storybook\" href=\"https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/SOLAR-STORYBOOK-Published.pdf\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Our Solar Storybook<\/a>\r\n\r\n<details class=\"wp-block-details\"><summary>Solar Arrays<\/summary>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>2.8 MW Euclid parking lot array<\/li>\r\n \t<li>1.56 MW Vine St. Parking lot array<\/li>\r\n \t<li>19.3 kW Education rooftop array<\/li>\r\n \t<li>30 MW array owned by Harrison Street on our Bowyer Farm property. The Zoo is leasing 145 acres of land for the solar farm (complete with grazing sheep and pollinator-friendly plants to create a healthy agro-solar ecosystem).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>35 kW Hippo Cove rooftop array<\/li>\r\n \t<li>33 kW Painted Dog rooftop array<\/li>\r\n \t<li>165kW Elephant Trek rooftop array<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/details>\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><\/figure>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<strong>Official Net Zero Energy Sponsor:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/PoweredByMelinkSolar.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-251964 alignnone lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/PoweredByMelinkSolar-1024x258.png\" alt=\"melink logo\" width=\"392\" height=\"99\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/PoweredByMelinkSolar-1024x258.png 1024w, https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/PoweredByMelinkSolar-300x76.png 300w, https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/PoweredByMelinkSolar-768x193.png 768w, https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/PoweredByMelinkSolar-1536x387.png 1536w, https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/PoweredByMelinkSolar-2048x516.png 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 392px) 100vw, 392px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 392px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 392\/99;\" \/><\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]<div id=\"solar-canopy\" class=\"anchor\"><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_js]JTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZobWkuYWxzb2VuZXJneS5jb20lMkZwb3dlcmhtaSUyRnB1YmxpY2Rpc3BsYXklMkZjZTlhYjVhMS02OTI2LTRiYWMtOGYwMS0zMmI4NGFjZDhhNDQlMkZtYWluJTNGYXJnJTNETmpneU5USSUyNTNkJTI2bGFuZyUzRGVuLVVTJTIyJTIwdGl0bGUlM0QlMjJTb2xhciUyMGFycmF5JTIwZGFzaGJvYXJkJTIyJTIwd2lkdGglM0QlMjI2MDAlMjIlMjBoZWlnaHQlM0QlMjI2MDAlMjIlM0UlM0MlMkZpZnJhbWUlM0U=[\/vc_raw_js][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]<div class=\"spacer\" style=\"padding-bottom:20px;\"><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text]\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Water Reclamation<\/h3>\r\nGreater Cincinnati has the oldest combined sewer system in the country, meaning that during any heavy rain billions of gallons of raw sewage overwhelm pipe capacity. To mitigate the resulting social and ecological issues, Cincinnati Zoo &amp; Botanical Garden collects and reuses every drop of water that falls on our campus. This keeps sewage out of the Ohio River (one of the most polluted major rivers in the US) and out of our neighbor&#8217;s basements. Studies have shown that in U.S. urban areas, poor stormwater management affects people of color and of lower socioeconomic levels at a disproportionate rate.\r\n\r\n<a class=\"button\" title=\"Read About Ground Zero for Net Zero\" href=\"https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/zoo-is-ground-zero-for-net-zero\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read About Ground Zero for Net Zero<\/a>[\/vc_column_text]<details class=\"simple-expander\" data-aos=\"fade-up\">\n        <summary>Stormwater Tank Locations<\/summary><div>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Elephant Trek \u2013 1 million gallon tank<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Roo Valley \u2013 100,000 gallon tank<\/li>\r\n \t<li>African Exhibit \u2013 400,000 gallon tank<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div><\/details>[vc_column_text]\r\n<div class=\"text-block aos-init aos-animate\" data-aos=\"fade-up\">\r\n<p class=\"first-child odd\">Official Water Sustainability Sponsor:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n[\/vc_column_text]<div data-aos=\"fade-up\" class=\"image-block themed\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Plumbing-Water-Cleanup-Logo-Color.png\" alt=\"Roto Rooter Logo\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 2550px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 2550\/1211;max-height:200px;max-width:300px;\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/div><!-- .img-block -->[\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;]<div class=\"video-block\" type=\"youtube\" data-aos=\"fade-up\"><div class=\"video-block__play\">     \n      <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n        <path id=\"Polygon_1\" data-name=\"Polygon 1\" d=\"M38.521,6.129a4,4,0,0,1,6.957,0l35.13,61.9A4,4,0,0,1,77.13,74H6.87a4,4,0,0,1-3.479-5.974Z\" transform=\"translate(74) rotate(90)\" fill=\"#fff\"\/>\n      <\/svg>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"video-embed\"><iframe class=\"videoblock__iframe lazyload\" title=\"video of \"  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/m4EpaH5qaSk?rel=0&modestbranding=1\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n    <\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]<div id=\"zerowaste\" class=\"anchor\"><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_row el_class=&#8221;mark-right-light&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;]<div data-aos=\"fade-up\" class=\"image-block themed\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chase_ET-Poop.png\" alt=\"Zookeeper holding elephant dung\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 536px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 536\/291;\" \/><\/div><!-- .img-block -->[\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text]\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Zero Waste<\/h3>\r\nThis means at least 90% of the waste generated at the zoo will be diverted from the landfill, via reuse, composting, and recycling efforts.\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Zero Waste Events<\/h3>\r\nAll ticketed events held at Cincinnati Zoo &amp; Botanical Garden are Zero Waste, made possible by our partnerships with ODRC and Last Mile Food Rescue. Event waste is sent to our partners who hand-sort it into appropriate waste streams, with a compost program on-site, and recycling partners who take and recycle various hard-to-recycle items.\r\n\r\nAt least 90% of an event&#8217;s waste must be diverted from the landfill for it to be considered a Zero Waste Event. To make this happen at the Zoo, all single-use products provided to guests are made of compostable, BPI-certified materials. Products such as plates, silverware, cups, and napkins will all be composted. All standard trash cans throughout the zoo will be used as compost bins for these events, so you will only find compost and recycling available. All waste accumulated will be composted, and all aluminum will be recycled.\r\n\r\nNet Zero Waste Partner Sponsored By:\r\n\r\n<a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ZHZW_3C_RGB.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-251813 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ZHZW_3C_RGB-871x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"195\" height=\"229\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ZHZW_3C_RGB-871x1024.jpg 871w, https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ZHZW_3C_RGB-255x300.jpg 255w, https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ZHZW_3C_RGB-768x903.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ZHZW_3C_RGB.jpg 1264w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 195px) 100vw, 195px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 195px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 195\/229;\" \/><\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_section][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text]\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sustainable Construction<\/h3>\r\nAll new construction projects are built to LEED Platinum standards, and Cincinnati Zoo &amp; Botanical Garden has the 1st Living Building Challenge-certified project in State of Ohio and in our industry. Leadership in Environmental Energy and Design (LEED) is a rating system developed by the <a title=\"U.S. Green Building Council and Living Building Challenge (LBC)\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/2FYozaHeZ1w\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">U.S. Green Building Council and Living Building Challenge (LBC)<\/a> is an international sustainable building certification, even more rigorous than LEED, developed by the non-profit International Living Future Institute.\r\n\r\n<a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usgbc.org\/projects\/?Search_Library=%22cincinnati+zoo%22&amp;Search+Library=%22cincinnati+zoo%22\">Cincinnati Zoo&#8217;s LEED-certified buildings<\/a>[\/vc_column_text]<details class=\"simple-expander\" data-aos=\"fade-up\">\n        <summary>Sustainable design features of our LEED buildings include:<\/summary><div>9LEED-certified buildings, more than any other Zoo in the nation, including a Living Building Challenge-certified project\r\n\r\n\u2022 90%+ landfill diversion of construction waste\r\n\r\n\u2022 Motion sensor lights and faucets\r\n\r\n\u2022 Utilization of natural light\r\n\r\n\u2022 LED bulbs\r\n\r\n\u2022 Automatic HVAC system\r\n\r\n\u2022 Low-flow toilets \/ waterless urinals\r\n\r\n\u2022 Recycled-plastic carpeting\r\n\r\n\u2022 Walk-off mats\r\n\r\n\u2022 Use of low VOC materials\r\n\r\n\u2022 Bike racks and carpooling parking spots\r\n\r\n\u2022 Solar panels\r\n\r\n\u2022 Rainwater catchment tank\r\n\r\n\u2022 Pervious pavers and curb cuts into rain gardens\r\n\r\n\u2022 Geothermal heat pumps\r\n\r\n\u2022 High efficiency insulation\r\n\r\n\u2022 Electric vehicle charging stations open to public<\/div><\/details>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;]<div data-aos=\"fade-up\" class=\"image-block themed\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/DF-Exhibit-entrance-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Discovery Forest Entrance\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 2560px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 2560\/1702;\" \/><\/div><!-- .img-block -->[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;]<div data-aos=\"fade-up\" class=\"image-block themed\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/waste-peak.png\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1280px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1280\/720;\" \/><\/div><!-- .img-block -->[\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;]<div class=\"spacer\" style=\"padding-bottom:60px;\"><\/div>[vc_column_text]\r\n<h3>Organic Waste<\/h3>\r\nAbout 80% of Cincinnati Zoo &amp; Botanical Garden&#8217;s waste stream is organic waste generated by the animals and our cafes. The Zoo is working with a local farm to pile and compost elephant manure, turning it into a regenerative soil additive.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;]<div class=\"spacer\" style=\"padding-bottom:60px;\"><\/div>[vc_column_text]\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Specialty Recycling Garage<\/h3>\r\nWe have dedicated an on-site collection space for items that cannot be sent to Rumpke&#8217;s mainstream recycling. Items are collected in this space for both reuse and recycling through our partners at the Cincinnati Recycling and Reuse Hub\r\n\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;]<div data-aos=\"fade-up\" class=\"image-block themed\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/42373233872_0397433c19_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pig recycling a water bottle\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><\/div><!-- .img-block -->[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_section][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;]<div data-aos=\"fade-up\" class=\"image-block themed\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/manatee-eating.jpg\" alt=\"manatee eating lettuce\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1023px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1023\/671;\" \/><\/div><!-- .img-block -->[\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;]<div class=\"spacer\" style=\"padding-bottom:40px;\"><\/div>[vc_column_text]\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Responsible Consumption<\/h3>\r\nThe Zoo is changing what, where, and how we consume to minimize negative environmental impact and increase positive social impact.\u00a0 Cincinnati Zoo &amp; Botanical Garden is committed to sourcing supplies and services locally to invest in our community and better manage our planet&#8217;s limited resources. We are working to develop an innovative and resilient food procurement plan, and goals to spend more dollars with minority-owned vendors.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;]<div class=\"spacer\" style=\"padding-bottom:40px;\"><\/div>[vc_column_text]\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Agrivoltaics<\/h3>\r\nAgrivoltaics is the co-location of agricultural production like crop or livestock production or pollinator habitats underneath or next to solar panels.\u00a0 This setup allows for farmlands to stay farms, while reducing our carbon footprint. The Cincinnati Zoo, in collaboration with local livestock farmers, currently has sheep grazing beneath the 30MW solar array at its off-site farm in Warren County.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;]<div data-aos=\"fade-up\" class=\"image-block themed\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_20250618_170635-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"sheep eating grass around solar panels\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 2560px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 2560\/1920;\" \/><\/div><!-- .img-block -->[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]<div id=\"communitysolar\" class=\"anchor\"><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;]<div data-aos=\"fade-up\" class=\"image-block themed\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/lh-solar.jpeg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 290px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 290\/174;\" \/><\/div><!-- .img-block --><details class=\"simple-expander\" data-aos=\"fade-up\">\n        <summary>Solar Installations<\/summary><div>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Solar installations\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>New Prospect Baptist Church, Roselawn (2019- 30 kW)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Rockdale Elementary, Avondale (2021-12.5 kW)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Lincoln Heights Elementary, Lincoln Heights (2022- 12 kW)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>John P. Parker Elementary, Madisonville (2023, 13 kW)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Lydia\u2019s House, Norwood (2024, 16kW)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Horses on the Hill (BLOC Ministries), Price Hill \u2013 (2024, 16kW)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Frederick Douglass Elementary School (2025, 28kW)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Talbert House, Carthage Flats (2025, 54kW)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Talbert House, Klekamp Geiger House (2025, 45kW)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div><\/details>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;]<div class=\"spacer\" style=\"padding-bottom:40px;\"><\/div>[vc_column_text]\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Community Solar Resiliency Program<\/h3>\r\nThe Cincinnati Zoo &amp; Botanical Garden\u2019s Community Solar Resiliency Program helps local nonprofits, schools, churches, and permanent supportive housing facilities strengthen their energy, climate, and financial resiliency through solar power.\r\n\r\nWith more than 15 years of experience leading in sustainability, the Zoo provides technical support, funding, and hands-on help to make solar energy more accessible\u2014cutting costs, building local capacity, and expanding sustainability both in our community and around the world\r\n\r\nWorking with trusted partners like SonLight Power, Melink Solar, and others, the Zoo has already helped install solar arrays at several public schools and community sites through its Community Fund projects. Now, we\u2019re expanding that impact\u2014partnering with our neighbors in Avondale and other historically under-resourced communities disproportionately affected by climate change to share the benefits of clean, reliable energy.\r\n\r\nThis work is part of the Zoo\u2019s commitment to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and to achieving Net Zero Energy and emissions reduction goals. Instead of purchasing outsourced Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), the Zoo invests directly in projects that deliver real, local impact\u2014like the annual installation of solar arrays on key community buildings through the <a title=\"Community Solar Resiliency Program\" href=\"https:\/\/cincinnatizoo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Solar_Story_Pages_8.5x11.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Community Solar Resiliency Program<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<!-- \/wp:post-content --><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] What&#8217;s the Greenest Zoo in America\u00ae Doing to Combat Climate Change? [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Cincinnati Zoo is working toward increasing our resilience and our regenerative impact in our own backyard, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon sequestration efforts.\u00a0 See for yourself!\u00a0 Book a green tour.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]Our Sustainability Storybook[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text] Read recent Sustainability news and stories. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":14363,"parent":38,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-85","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Sustainability | Cincinnati Zoo<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn more about Sustainability at the Cincinnati Zoo, including what we are doing to help combat climate change. 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