Your Change Makes Change
The Sacramento Zoo is increasing its commitment to conservation by supporting exciting field conservation projects both locally and around the globe with the Quarters for Conservation program. Through the collection of quarters, the zoo provides funding for wildlife conservation projects. You, our members and visitors, are part of this exciting contribution to wildlife conservation.
How it Works
As you enter the zoo, you’ll receive a token representing your contribution to conservation. The token enables you to vote for a conservation project of your choice–your vote helps us determine how much funding each project receives. You’ll have an opportunity to learn more about the projects and cast your vote at the zoo’s Entry Plaza.
Each project is guaranteed $5,000 annually with additional funding based on the number of votes each project receives.
Donate to the Conservation Fund
Belize Manatee Rehabilitation
The phone rings, there is news of an incoming orphaned Antillean manatee calf. The manatee team swings into action preparing the intensive care pool, readying feeding bottles, rehydration solution, and formula. The call is just the beginning of the rehabilitation process that will eventually result in the release of a healthy Antillean manatee back into the wild.
Over the past five years, the Antillean manatee population in Belize, considered the regional stronghold with an estimated 700 to 1,000 individuals, has been impacted by significantly increased mortality events, primarily as a result of increasing tourism boat traffic in key manatee areas. Injured and/or orphaned manatees found in the coastal waters of Belize are brought to the Manatee Rehabilitation Centre at Wildtracks for rehabilitation and eventual release back into the wild. The rehabilitation process can take as long as three and a half years, depending on the age of the animal and the severity of its injuries. With such a low population count, it is critically important to facilitate the return of every animal to the wild.
Save the manatees! These adorable animals need your help! Support of this project will go directly toward the construction of a second neonate intensive care pool for orphaned calves and the necessary supplies to rehabilitate and release manatees back into the wild. Your vote for this program funds the care of baby manatees to get them back to the wild! Do your part to help save the manatees and demand that boats go slow in manatee waters.
For more information visit the Wildtracks website.
Restoring Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Populations in North Fork Feather River (CA)
A headstart program for the foothill yellow-legged frog includes hatching eggs and safely rearing the tadpoles into juvenile frogs. Once they are large enough, the young adult frogs will be released to a site along the Feather River where habitat restoration has taken place. After release the frogs and their population will continue to be monitored and will receive assistance during migration.
Foothill yellow-legged frogs need habitat protections and recovery efforts to avoid extinction. Protecting these frogs will also benefit other wildlife and many river and stream ecosystems in California that we rely on for recreation, open space, and drinking water.
Frogs are croaking in record numbers! Your support of this project helps restore yellow legged frogs to the feather river. Eggs are collected, hatched and young frogs are released back into restored habitat. Supporting this project is taking part in positive action to save a native California species and give it legs to thrive and repopulate in the wild. Hop to it and save the frogs!
Painted Dog Conservation in Zimbabwe
Part of pack life for the painted dog is taking care of the young, sick, old, and disabled. These social dogs are one of the most endangered carnivore in the world, with approximately 5,000 existing in the wild and one sixth of this population in Zimbabwe. The loss of quality habitat and poaching are driving the painted dogs towards extinction.
Save the painted dogs from snares set for other animals! Your support of this projects funds special collars that protect painted dogs from becoming trapped in snares set for other animals. It is a howling success! Join the pack to save the painted dogs.
For more information visit the Painted Dog Research Trust webpage.
Additional Quarters for Conservation Funding
In 2015 the zoo increased its commitment to conservation. In addition to the Quarters for Conservation program where visitors get to vote for a project, every time a guest has fun riding the train, Conservation Carousel, trekking up the Kilimanjaro Climb, participating in a giraffe encounter or experiencing the Serengeti Cyclone, a quarter is added to the Sacramento Zoo’s conservation fund. This is in addition to existing programs such as the 2% of membership support that goes to wildlife conservation that was started in 2008.
The 2017 programs included the Mountain Lion Foundation working to track lion movements, Red Panda Network who educate and empower local communities, and the Union Island Gecko Conservation Action Plan aiming to preserve Chatham Bay Forest, and important habitat for geckos.
In 2016, Quarters for Conservation supported Borneo small wild cat conservation, greater sandhill crane conservation and Southern African vulture conservation.
In 2015 visitors voted for how $50,000 was to be divided among three programs by voting at the Quarters for Conservation wishing wells. The local tri-colored blackbird program received 114,846 votes, the giant anteater/armadillo program received 114,928 votes and the highest votes went to the Snow Leopard Conservancy with 200,158 votes.
2014 tallied a total of 370,141 votes for the Quarters for Conservation programs. Visitors decided how the $50,000 was to be divided between an Artificial Penguin Nest Project, Sumatran tiger conservation and locally, Pacific fisher conservation.
The 2013 programs were the local Riparian Brush Rabbit Recovery program, the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary project and the Masai giraffe conservation program. Each of these species is facing trouble in their natural habitat and plays an important part in their local ecosystem. In 2013 there were 379,282 votes cast for the three projects listed above. In total $50,000 was divided amongst the three projects, with the amount determined by the number of votes each project received.
In 2012, the inaugural year of Quarters for Conservation, 283,653 votes were cast for the Sumatran orangutan conservation, the Mabula Ground Hornbill Conservation Project and, locally, the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society. $50,000 was divided amongst the three projects, with the amount determined by the number of votes each project received. The Quarters for Conservation program is replicated at other zoos throughout the United States.
Donate to the Conservation Fund
The Sacramento Zoo supports many other conservation efforts around the world. Visit the Conservation Partners page for details on other projects.
