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
Wild Nature INstitute
Wild Nature Institute’s giraffe research is discovering where Masai giraffes are doing well, where they are not, and why. Their research supports communities working to protect and connect areas important to Masai giraffe conservation.
Tuleyome Wildlife restoration effort
Tuleyome’s long-term plan is to restore vital habitat for black bears, mountain lions and Tule elk in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region that was destroyed by wildfires in 2018. Phase one of the restoration will be field assessment of the burned areas and the selection of sites that can most effectively be restored. Phase two will consist of the actual restoration work and the creation of a long-term management plan to better protect the selected sites from further wildfire damage.
The Grevy’s zebra Trust
The Grevy’s zebra is one of Africa’s most endangered large mammals. Historically found more widely across the Horn of Africa, Grevy’s zebra are now restricted to Ethiopia and Kenya, where 93% of the population lives. The Grevy’s Zebra Trust works to conserve the Laisamis Grevy’s zebra and its habitat through community engagement, facilitating the management of community water and grasslands through improved grazing and settlement planning. Your vote will help train new Grevy’s Zebra Warriors and Grasslands Champions.
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 2019 programs included the CLAWS Conservancy for Lions working to track lion movements and mitigate human-lion conflict, the Tuleyome Wildlife Restoration effort in which the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region habitat destroyed by the 2018 wildfires is being restored, and the Grevy’s Zebra Trust aiming to conserve the Laisamis Grevy’s zebra through community engagement.
In 2018, Quarters for Conservation supported Belize manatee rehabilitation, the restoration of foothill yellow-legged frog populations in the North Fork Feather River and painted dog conservation in Zimbabwe.
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.