Pro Parks Levy - Woodland Park Zoo

The Pro Parks Levy supports core operations at Woodland Park Zoo, including animal care, horticulture, admissions, facility maintenance, and security staff. The Levy also provides critical support to the zoo's efforts to broaden access to programs through subsidized admission and transportation for Seattle schools at which 30% or more students are part of the free and reduced lunch program (School-to-Zoo), and through on-grounds and outreach programs for schools, as well as enhancing the zoo's capacity for web based online education programs.

2003 program highlights include:

• Education: In 2003, the School to Zoo program reached 10,496 students from qualifying Seattle schools. Levy funds also allowed more than 1,140 2nd graders to participate in the Forest Explorers programs, 2,350 students to see live birds of prey through the SOAR (Save Our Amazing Raptors) program, and more than 4,000 5th-7th graders to learn about nature through Wild Wise. The Levy benefited Seattle teens too with more 120 students completing their service learning requirements through Zoo Corps.
   
• Facilities and Major Maintenance: In 2003, work on numerous major maintenance projects was either started or completed, to maintain or refresh buildings and exhibits for zoo visitors and animals. Projectsinclude new visitor interpretive features at the Snow Leopard exhibit, new mesh netting and exhibit enhancements for the Great Grey Owls, a rebuild of the marsh pond and nets in the Wetlands exhibit, completion of the relocation of the Red-Crowned Cranes, completion of the protected contact elements of the Elephant Barn, and asbestos abatement and exhibit improvements in the Day and Night Exhibits.