It’s August, which means we are hosting nearly 900 Zoo Campers and are also taking our outreach programs to 36 parks throughout the City as part of the Recreation and Parks Summer Play L.A. program, where we are engaging over 1,000 campers.

As we begin a new fiscal year this month, it’s time to celebrate the generosity of the people of Los Angeles to the L.A. Zoo and GLAZA, especially our wonderful members.

Earlier this year, I had the privilege of traveling to Africa for the very first time in my life. The purpose of this trip was to prepare and inform me of the full journey I am going to co-lead in Botswana and Namibia later in the fall as part of the Zoo’s travel program, but what happened was far more incredible than anything I could have imagined.

We’ve learned a lot about the enormous value of outdoor space to provide guests a safe place to learn about nature and celebrate the mission of the Los Angeles Zoo, and we’re about to take one of our most dramatic steps yet toward “normal” by hosting the Beastly Ball in person at the Zoo on June 4.

Spring is one of my favorite seasons of the year – it’s a time of birth and renewal when the natural world around us springs back to life. We also use spring as a time to commemorate our planet and the role we all play in protecting it. As we embark on another year celebrating Earth Day on April 22, I am thinking about how the L.A. Zoo is making a sustainable impact on our planet.

Tom shares about the exciting slate of in-person events scheduled for this season and beyond, both at the Zoo and as far away as Botswana. From wine to free-roaming wildlife, there’s a lot to look forward to.

Zoo CEO and Director Denise M. Verret reflects on the Zoo’s power to connect Angelenos from all walks of life with wildlife and nature.

In November I expressed gratitude for the generosity of our members and donors, and now I’m delighted to report that during the holiday season you gave us even more reason to be thankful.