Our 2010 Green Resolutions

Each year, the Oregon Zoo's Green Team solicits suggestions from zoo staff and assembles resolutions for green operations. Here are the resolutions for this year and our progress.

Goal
Design our new veterinary hospital to obtain LEED silver certification.

Goal
Take steps to maintain and improve the tree canopy of the zoo.

There have been 16 trees planted on the zoo grounds since January, including trees that have been transplanted and recycled.

Goal
Set up a program to remove invasive ivy from trees along the zoo train track.

Goal
Put mugs in all the zoo's conference rooms and discontinue use of disposable cups.

Mugs have been made available to zoo staff members to discontinue the use of disposable cups.

Goal
Include a sustainability requirement in bid procurement specifications for all food products.

We have put new sustainability criteria in our food and produce bids.

Goal
Install a new aquatic life support system in the Penguinarium that will save millions of gallons of water a year.

We have completed the schematic design and design development for our aquatic life-support system in the Pengiunarium that will save millions of gallons of water each year. Construction will begin in November and the project will be complete in Spring 2011.

Goal
Complete the zoo's storm water master plan and continue implementation of systems that will return filtered, clean water to the watershed.

Goal
Enhance our carpool match program for volunteers and employees.

Goal
Replace two more of our fossil fuel propelled vehicles with electric vehicles.

We have replaced 11 fossil fuel propelled vehicles with electric ones.

Goal
Install waterless urinals in select locations.

Goal
Replace paper towel holders in some of our restrooms with new energy efficient electric hand dryers.

Goal
Develop a system for offsetting carbon for travel by staff, volunteers and visitors.

We are now using B99 biodiesel in our steam locomotive, creating cleaner air to breath at the zoo, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions substantially.