This page is for staff of the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Members of the public wishing to get involved in our conservation efforts should contact the Zoo’s Education Curator and Committee Chair.

Download our 2023 Conservation Report here

Read about other projects we have funded and are funding here and by searching the Archives of this blog.

Meeting Notes –  Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Those in attendance:
Rick LoBello
Dr. Milne
Amanda Leverett
Ryan Pemberton

Our committee met to review a draft Conservation Small Grants Application. We made some changes and hope to finalize the application at our next meeting on August 14 at 1pm.

Meeting Notes –  Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Conservation Committee

Rick LoBello
John Kiseda
Dr. Milne
Oscar Arriaga
Carrie Trudeau
Amanda Leverett
Ryan Pemberton
Albert Vasquez
Joe Montisano (non-voting)

1-Motion made to approve Notes from last meeting on July 17, 2024 at 2:30 pm by John Kiseda, seconded by Amanda Leverett.  Motion Carried

2-Joe Montisano reported $1,289.76 in Round Up Funds as of January 24, 2025

3-Reviewed Draft Conservation Action Plan and Sustainability Plans from other zoos.  There were no concerns about the current plan and it now will be our plan until the committee makes amendments.   Rick will start working on a Sustainability Plan for our zoo.

4-In January of 2024 the AZA inspection team made the comment that our “evaluation of our conservation efforts could be more robust.”  Rick discussed ways we can improve after meeting with Justin Birkhoff of the Indianapolis Zoo on 1.21.2025.   We reviewed recent requests for funding and discussed proposals on how to move forward with requests.  Committee agreed to move in the direction of a grant application and not continue the practice of sending money to organization without a better way to evaluate conservation programs we support.

5. Botanical Garden Concerns – Rick discussed how he is working on plans to improve our Pollinator Gardens.   A comment was made about how we call ourselves a Botanical Garden but that we don’t have someone making sure that we follow Botanical Garden standards.  Rick said he is working on adding more graphics and will contact Dr. Kevin Floyd at UTEP on how they operate their garden to see what we can learn from him.

2025 El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens Conservation Action Strategic Plan

Mission

Our mission is to celebrate the value of animals and natural resources and to create opportunities for people to rediscover their connection to nature.

Characteristics of a Great Zoo Conservation Action Plan

The El Paso Zoo recognizes the following characteristics of a great conservation plan.

• Excellent care for animals
• An inspiring experience for guests
• A creative and productive workforce
• Staff buy in and support for all conservation goals
• Staff involvement with in-situ conservation programs
• Ample funding to achieve goals
• Development of meaningful and result focused relationships with organizations that we partner with and support

Strategic Focus Areas

Living Collection                Be expert stewards of animals, plants and the environment.

Guest Experience              Treat every guest to a fun, memorable experience that fosters understanding, caring and action.

Our Team                            Make the El Paso Zoo the best place in town to work.

Financial Strength             Earn and raise the funds needed for operations and capital improvements.

Facilities                               Create and maintain facilities where animals, guests and staff can thrive.

Community                          Cultivate an enduring, mutually rewarding relationship with the Relationships community.

Strategic Goal: Review AZA Green Practices with the Green Practices at the El Paso Zoo.    

Action Items

• Identify Green Practices that we are not part of our daily operating procedures at the Zoo.
  • Objective 1: By December 6, 2023 discuss ways we can improve our Green Practices at our Conservation Committee Meeting.  
  • UPDATE as of 12.31.2024 – At our next meeting in 2025 we will discuss Green Practices further.
  • Objective 2: By December 12, 2023 meet with City Climate Program manager and energy consultants at the Zoo to see how they can help us get in line with AZA Green Practices. 
  • UPDATE as of 12.31.2024 – We have not been able to meet with the City Climate Program manager and that position is now vacant.  We have been meeting with Climate Program Staff over the past year to discuss collaboration ideas between the Climate Program Fellows and the Zoo Education program in regards to new climate focused curriculum.  The first meeting to discuss curriculum goals took place at the Zoo on 12.7.2024.  During the course of the past year we also met with Climate Staff at monthly Year Out Energy meetings regarding their review of the Zoo and in providing information for the annual Green Practices Report.  

• Integrate El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens Green Practices with AZA Green Practices.
  • Objective 1: By February 1, 2024 add new information to AZA Green Practices report for 2023 based on information provided by the City Climate Program manager and his review with the energy consultants
  • UPDATE as of 12.31.2024 – New information is pending a final report from the Climate Program in 2025.  Embracing a pivotal role in environmental guardianship, the Zoo and in a strategic alliance with the Climate & Sustainability Office and Yearout Energy Services Company—is advancing through a rigorous analysis of the Zoo’s current systems and infrastructure. This deliberate and strategic endeavor is centered on the precise identification and implementation of an extensive suite of energy and water conservation initiatives. These initiatives are essential not only for boosting the Zoo’s operational effectiveness, but also for significantly diminishing its environmental footprint. The valuable insights derived from this comprehensive analysis will steer the introduction of a custom designed series of improvements, carefully selected to heighten the Zoo’s operational efficiency and highlight its unwavering commitment to eco-friendly practices. The initial phase of the project is poised to shift from planning to action in early 2025.  Subsequent project phases are planned, with the ultimate ambition of propelling the Zoo and Botanical Garden towards the goal of net-zero energy consumption.
• Next Step – Identify areas in the annual AZA Green report that we can work on in the coming year.
  
  

Strategic Goal: Continue to support Bat Conservation International’s Adopt-An-Agave program 

Action Items

• Adopt 100 young agaves to people who live in the El Paso area.
  • Objective 1: By December 16, 2023 identify 100 people who will adopt an agave plant for one year
  • Objective 2: By December 22, 2024 make sure that all plants have been removed from the Zoo to their new home in our area
• UPDATE as of 12.31.2024 – Over 130 plants were transported from the Zoo to the Davis Mountains where they were transplanted by staff and volunteers at the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute.
• NEXT STEP – Our liaison with BCI has been on maternity leave.  Rick hope to meet with her in February.

Strategic Goal: Continue to support Zoo Conservation Education Programs 

Action Items

• Increase Conservation Educate Impact and Take-Action Opportunities including reminding all Zoo staff on Conservation Messages.
  • Objective 1: By September 30 begin turning the Kalahari Research Center with the help of staff and volunteers into a Take-Action Center.
  • UPDATE as of 12.31.2024 – Zoo Education Specialist Jack Scordato

has started to work at the Kalahari on weekends and is recruiting volunteers. 

• Objective 2: By September 30 make all staff are informed of our current conservation messages.
  • UPDATE as of 12.31.2024 – On October 3 the following information was emailed to all staff.  We plan to present these messages a part of all staff training in 2025.

(1) We provide excellent, expert, and compassionate care for our animals, prioritizing their welfare and well-being.                                                                                               

(2) We are actively saving wildlife from extinction through our conservation work at the zoo and in the field.                                                                                        

(3) We act and communicate with the purpose of inspiring people to value wild animals and to take- action and responsibility in helping to ensure their place in the wild.

Other important messages include:

(4) Supporting Round-Up in support of our Conservation Fund that helps us save endangered species in the wild. 
Round Up at the Zoo – Conservation Education (home.blog)
https://elpasozoo.home.blog/2024/12/04/christmas-is-just-around-the-corner/

(5) Encouraging people to become informed about the climate crisis and to support climate crisis advocacy.  https://elpasozoo.home.blog/climate-action/  

(6) Encouraging people to become informed consumers by telling them about Seafood Watch and the Palm Oil Crisis.
Get to know your seafood – Conservation Education (home.blog)
Make Earth Day Everyday: learn about palm oil – Conservation Education (home.blog)

(7) Encouraging people to recycle and avoid single-use plastics.

Kitchen Talk: Microplastics are everywhere – Conservation Education (home.blog)

(8) Encouraging people to sign up at the Zoo as Conservation Ambassadors helping to host our major exhibits.
Conservation Ambassadors – Conservation Education (home.blog)

(9) Encourage people to landscape with native plants and to create pollinator gardens.
Do the right thing, be sure to pick the right tree – Conservation Education (home.blog)
Plant a pollinator garden – Conservation Education (home.blog)

• Next Step – plan required all staff Conservation Plan meetings focused on involving more staff with our conservation goals

Conservation Committee Meeting Minutes

July 17, 2024 at 2:30 pm

Committee Members in attendance: Rick LoBello, Joe Montisano, John Kiseda, Dr. Victoria Milne, Oscar Arriaga, Ryan Pemberton, Edith Fuentes and Brian Trevino.

Minutes of our December 6, 2023 meeting were approved with a motion by John Kiseda that was seconded by Dr. Milne.

The Committee reported $11,056 in Round Up Funds. It is hoped that Round Up Funds being held by the El Paso Zoological Society will be returned to the Fund at some point.

An approved motion was made by John Kiseda and seconded by Dr. Milnes to fund the following projects at this time include:
$500 for the Mexican Wolf Fund
$3000 for the Orangutan Species Survival Program
$500 for Peninsular Pronghorn Conservation
$1000 for the Rio Bravo Restoration
$250 for the Gibbon Conservation Society
$1500 for Lion Guardians
$1000 for the World Wildlife Fund Flying Squad
$1000 for the Indonesia Species Conservation Fund
$500 for the International Rhino Foundation
$500 for the Project Titi Cotton-top Tamarin

Committee Chair Rick recommended that the group schedule a meeting in the near future to start work on a new strategic plan for the committee.

The meeting adjourned at 3:30pm.

December 6, 2023 at 1:00 pm

Committee Members in attendance: Joe Montisano, John Kiseda, Renee Neuert, Heather Rivera, Carrie Trudeau, Rick LoBello, Dr. Victoria Milne, Oscar Arriaga

Minutes of our June 23, 2023 were approved with a motion by John Kiseda and a second by Dr. Victoria Milne.

Rick stated that our Round Up balance as of November, 2023 was $32,928. As of this month the total amount of money we have designated to support a wide variety of conservation projects since 1999 has now reached $214,387.

Rick led a discussion on how we can improve our Green Practices at the Zoo. We are already planning to work more closely with the Sustainability Office and will include Green Practices in our draft 2024 El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens Conservation Action Strategic Plan. Other strategic goals to be included in the plan will address our goal of making the Ranch House into a Endangered Species Breeding Center, Solar energy panels for the parking lot, water conservation goals and the next Chihuahuan Desert Conference. The committee is encouraged to provide feedback on the plan and to suggest new goals.

Under New Business we approved the following conservation funding requests:

Wildlife Madagascar wildlifemadagascar.org $5000
Tiger SSP’s Tiger Conservation Campaign $3000
Burrowing Owl Conservation Signage $ 625
International Rhino Foundation $3000
Motion to approve above made by Dr. Milne, seconded by Oscar Arriaga

Adopt A Golden Frog $ 100
Motion to approve above by John Kiseda, seconded by Heather Rivera

Dr. Milne made a motion seconded by Carrie Trudeau to designate $10,000 of the current Round Up Fund to Green Projects at the Zoo that will be approved by this committee.

Conservation Committee Meeting Minutes

June 23, 2023 at 2:30pm

In attendance: Joe Montisano, John Kiseda, Renee Neuert, Carlos Muniz, Rick LoBello, Dr. Vikki Milne, Brittany Knight

Minutes of the November 16, 2022 meeting were approved with a motion by John Kiseda and seconded by Rick LoBello

Rick stated that our Round Up balance was $33,701.

Rick proposed to the committee that we form subcommittees made up of individuals from the community and other agencies to help get more support and buy-in for our conservation efforts. At the next meeting he will bring specific examples of how we can reach out and gain more support for a sustainability plan.

Rick then reviewed the projects we have funded since November making note that John was still looking for the best organization to support in Mexico to help with Mexican wolf recovery efforts.

Next on the agenda the following projects were discussed and approved:

Orangutan SAFE: Saving Wild Orangutans Through Collaboration. $3,000 per year for three years starting in 2023 and ending in 2025. $2000 will come from the Conservation Fund and $1000 will come from the Zoological Society Dead Beach Fund. Rick made a motion to approve that was seconded by Dr. Milne. The motion carried.

Northern Jaguar Project. $1000. Rick made the motion to approve that was seconded by John. The motion carried.

Frontera Land Alliance. $2000. $1000 from the Conservation Fund and $1000 from the Zoological Society Dead Beach Fund. Dr. Milne made the motion to approve that was seconded by John. The motion carried.

American Red Wolf and Mexican Wolf Joint SAFE Meeting. $750. John made the motion to approve that was seconded by Dr. Milne. The motion carried.

African Painted Dog Species Survival Plan. $500. John made the motion to approve that was seconded by Dr. Milne. The motion carried.

Painted Dog Trust. $1000 from Zoological Society Dead Beach Fund. Rick made the motion to approve that was seconded by Renee. The motion carried.

Ecolife Conservation Monarch Butterfly Program. $500. Rick made the motion to approve that was seconded by John. The motion carried.

Komodo Dragon Species Survival Program. $500. Rick made the motion to approve that was seconded by John. The motion carried.

November 16, 2022 at 2:30pm

In attendance: Joe Montisano, John Kiseda, Renee Neuert, Alejandra Aburto, Olivia  Siqueiros, Carrie Trudeau, Heather Rivera, Rick LoBello, Dr. Vikki Milne, Crystal Flores, Sylvia Ware

Minutes of the meeting on September 22 were reviewed.  John made a motion to approve the minutes.  Dr. Vikki seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

According to Renee our current balance in the Round Up fund was $36,250. Rick stated that $1,500 is ear marked for a future donation to the Jaguar SSP.

Rick noted that at our last meeting we did not include a representative from ADMIN and Facilities in our voting list.   Dr. Vikki made a motion that we give someone from ADMIN and Facilities one vote each.  John seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Rick proposed that we designate $4,000 to purchase hundreds of tree seedlings to give-a-way at Party for the Planet in 2023.  During Party for the Planet earlier this year guests received 190 willow tree seedlings and over 100 guests adopted baby agaves.  John asked that we make a form for visitors who take a tree to follow up on their efforts. 

Rick proposed an education campaign targeting zoo staff that would encourage them to avoid single-use plastics.   The plan would be to avoid single use plastics as much as possible and after we are convinced that avoiding single use plastics is practiced zoo wide, we would then launch a campaign to reach out into the community.  Rick stated that it would be hard for the zoo to lead an effort to avoid single use plastics if the zoo itself was not supportive.    Dr. Vikki stated that she would like to see our committee focus more on sustainability and that we should ask staff for their ideas.

Currently we have a balance of $32,250 in the Round Up Fund.  After some discussion the committee approved the following projects to fund in the near future:    

-Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition donation in support of 2023 Chihuahuan Desert Conference – $1800
-Tree Seedling Give-A-Way Party for the Planet 2023 – $4000
-Indonesia Species Conservation Program – $1000
-Lion Guardians – $1500
-Jaguar SAFE – $1000
-North American Birds SAFE – $1000
-Woodland Park Zoo Hornbill Nest Adoptions – $600
-Turner Foundation Bolson Tortoise Reintroduction Program – $2000
-AAZV Wild Animal Health Fund – $1000
-Projecto Titi Cotton-top Tamarin Conservation – $1000
-St. Louis Zoo Galapagos Tortoise Conservation – $500
-Mexican Wolf Conservation Efforts in Mexico – $2000
-AZA Program to support Zoos in Ukraine – $500

Funding the projects above will result in a new balance of $17,350

Meeting Notes, September 22, 2022

In attendance: Joe Montisano, John Kiseda, Renee Neuert, Alejandra Aburto, Olivia  Siqueiros, Carrie Trudeau, Heather Rivera, Rick LoBello, Vikki Milne, Zevanda Borjon, Crystal Flores, Sylvia Ware

Minutes of the meeting on August 4 were reviewed.  Rick made a motion to approve the minutes.  Renee seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

Rick stated that our only expense since the last meeting was $1000 for the mural project in downtown El Paso.   We have at least $26,571 remaining with $1,500 ear marked for the Jaguar SSP. 

After much discussion the committee approved the following voting policy:

Voting on the committee with supervisor approval will be open to Areas 1-6 with a combined one vote, the Special Collections team of the Animal Curator, Animal Training and Enrichment Coordinator and Register will have one vote and there will be one vote each for AMC, Education and SSA.  The Zoo Director will not vote but can be used for a tie breaker and does have final veto power if the project does not fit in with Zoo goals and standards.

Rick made a motion to approve the motion.  John seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

Joe stated that the Zoo will review this policy next year to see if it needs to be changed.

All meetings will be open to all zoo staff working and the committee will use Roberts Rules of Order as recommended by Rick with the committee’s verbal consensus.   Rick will send out more information on Roberts Rule and will also send out an updated summary of the projects the committee has funded since the beginning with links to more information on many of the projects.  

Meeting Notes, August 4, 2022

In attendance: Joe, Rick, John, Vikki, Carrie, Renee, Bea, Olivia, Ale, Sylvia

John explained our the SSPs we participate in are transforming over time to the SAFE program. To help the Zoo get started with the transition we agreed to set aside $1500 for the Jaguar SAFE program. Joe will look into how we should move forward in the budget.

Renee proposed we support a mural project in El Paso. The Paso del Norte Community Foundation, Franklin Mountain Investments (a Paul Foster/Woody Hunt Corp) and Alamo Draft House are fundraising to help bring in a muralist and his team from Portugal. They plan to create a 64 foot eco-project here in El Paso for placement on the side of a downtown building. Please see attachments. The muralist, Artur Bordalo or Bordaloii collects waste and trash to create and develop works that relate to sustainability and ecological awareness. Boraloii wants to create a 3D Mt. Lion  mural, from discarded trash. This unique work of art will depict a mountain lion to bring awareness to the plight of animals in our state, and raise awareness about what is happening to wildlife. They are calling it an “eco-project” because of the materials used and message behind the project. I believe this is a great conservation project for the conservation committee to consider, while bringing attention to our city. To see more of Bordalo’s incredible work please go to his website https://www.bordaloii.com

The Committee approved a $1000 contribution with a $1000 match from the Zoological Society.

Meeting Notes, February 17, 2022

The following projects were approved for funding in 2022:

1. Projecto Titi in support of critically endangered conservation efforts to help cotton-top tamarins in Columbia – $1000

2. Jaguar SSP/in-situ: Renewed Call to Action for Cockscomb Basin Rangers – $1000

3. Lion Guardians of East Africa – $1500

4. Flying elephant Squad/WWF -$1000

5. Hornbill nest adoptions/AZA Asian Hornbill SAFE program & Woodland Park Zoo – $600

6. Indonesia Species Conservation Fund – $1000

7. 501c3 Collective ConSERVation (Crocodile Research Coalition) – $250

8. North American Songbird SAFE program – $1000

9. Peninsular Pronghorn Species Survival Plan – $1000

Meeting Notes, October 4, 2021

Prepared by Rick LoBello, Chair

2:30 pm – in the classroom at El Paso Water Discovery Education Center at the Zoo and on Microsoft Teams

Round Up Balance 9.27.2021 – $19,755.71

Joe Montisano made a motion to approve the minutes from our earlier meeting on April 21, 2021.   Seconded by Dr. Milne.  Motion approved.

Peninsular pronghorn SSP Consortium/in-situ – $1000

Requests and Proposals Approved on October 4 to be processed in November 2021

1. Climate Change Local Media Campaign – Joe agreed to find funding for a media campaign working with the City and to have the Zoo marketing team to work with Rick. 

3. Indonesia Species Conservation Fund – $500 (Rick LoBello)

4. Przewalski’s horse transport: Part B -Misha to Russia…$6910 was have been sent to Minnesota Zoo by Aug 15, so if we hadn’t done so we need to (John Kiseda). Joe recommended that we not send additional funds of $6,000 to Przewalski’s horse transport project until travel plans are approved in 2022.

5. Jaguar SSP/in-situ: as attached, ‘Renewed Call to Action for Cockscomb Basin Rangers’ -I’d like us to consider $1000 as the project still isn’t getting all of the needed funding from SSP participants (John Kiseda).

6. Amur leopard/WWF: in-situ protection efforts, -I’d like us to consider $1000, especially as we need to continue to show conservation funding by us for this endangered species in order to acquire a CITES permit to be able to acquire the leopard from Canada. (John Kiseda). Rick recommended that the funds be sent to the Wildlife Conservation Society where funds were sent previously.

7. Peninsular pronghorn SSP Consortium/in-situ: as attached, ‘Peninsular Pronghorn Consortium’ -I’d like us to consider $1000, as we haven’t been able to come close to providing project funding as hoped, and there are only 6 NA facilities with the pronghorn to help fund these initiatives (John Kiseda).

8. Fund [2] staff projects at $1000 each, if not requested by staff: -potentially for staff projects that have been funded previously, black-footed ferret spotlighting/medical work-ups, and conservation in-situ fence renovation [in the past staff had done this for a wolf related project, but lately there had been interest in pronghorn related work] (John Kiseda).

9. Mexican Wolf SSP/Mexican Wolf Conservation Fund: -I’d like us to consider $1000, as we should continue to show conservation funding by us for this species, especially after being able to send pups to wild dens this year (John Kiseda).

10. Lion Guardians of East Africa: -I’d like us to consider $1500, as we should continue to show conservation funding by us for this species (John Kiseda).

11. Flying elephant Squad/WWF: -I’d like us to consider $1000, as we should continue to show conservation funding by us for this project that also provides habitat ‘umbrella’ protection to other species such as tigers, tapirs, etc. (John Kiseda).

12. Hornbill nest adoptions/AZA Asian Hornbill SAFE program & Woodland Park Zoo; as attached, ‘Hornbill nest adoptions 9-10-21 jjk:  -I’d like us to consider $300 to adopt 2 nests. (John Kiseda).

13. Giraffe & Painted dog projects: -I’d like us to consider $500 for one project each, such as the   Painted Dog Research Trust and and organization recommended by Area 5.(John Kiseda).

14. Red Wolf SSP/C2S2; as attached, ‘Red Wolf 9-10-21 jjk’: -I’d like us to consider $500 to support the increased federal support for this Texas ‘native’ (John Kiseda).  Rick will recommend an organization active with reintroduction efforts.

Local Conservation Effort Requests Wakeem/Teschner Nature Preserve (Resler Canyon) – $1500. Signage to prevent illegal dumping.  On hold more information needed.

Endangered Species the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens is helping in 2020-2021