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Audubon Nature Institute Inc

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Nonprofit Overview

Causes: Animals, Education, Wildlife Preservation & Protection, Zoos & Aquariums

Programs: 2014 was marked by promising attendance trends and many successes for audubon nature institute. With an eye on the future, audubon remained committed to providing outstanding guest experiences, educational opportunities, and developing partnerships to protect the wonders of nature. At audubon zoo in 2014, a new petting zoo named watoto walk opened and cool zoo opened for a fourth season. A female colobus monkey and a pair of critically endangered false gharials were born. The zoo also welcomed a new addition to its southern white rhinoceros herd and huey and roux, two rescued california sea lion pups, joined the zoo family in february. Audubon aquarium of the americas received accreditation by the association of zoos and aquariums (aza) in march of 2014. The aquarium underwent a thorough review to ensure it has and will continue to meet ever-rising standards, which include animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety. Aza requires zoos and aquariums to successfully complete this rigorous accreditation process every five years in order to be members of the association. In 2014, the aquarium welcomed caroline, a three-year-old sand tiger shark, and added dwarf cuttlefish to the living in water exhibit. Audubon butterfly garden and insectarium added blue death-feigning beetles, madagascar hissing cockroaches, atlas moths, and two new exhibits to boudreaux's bait shop-one called frogs and one called toads-in 2014in july of 2014, audubon aquatic center staff released a rehabilitated alligator snapping turtle into the mandalay national wildlife refuge in houma after caring for it since 2012. In december, the aquatic center took in 27 cold-stunned kemp's ridley sea turtles for care by audubon nature institute's louisiana marine mammal and sea turtle rescue program. Kemp's ridley sea turtles are among the most endangered of the sea turtles. In january of 2014, audubon launched the restoration of audubon louisiana nature center, a project that will reestablish the eastern new orleans attraction as a treasured green space for family recreation and environmental education. The nature center has remained closed since its forests were severely damaged and its interpretive spaces were destroyed by hurricane katrina. By year-end, flood-damaged buildings were demolished, the fema environmental assessment was completed, and bid drawings for the construction of a new interpretive center, planetarium and boardwalks were completed. Audubon nature institute launched audubon park conservancy, a new effort to raise much-need annual funds to support the daily care and operation of audubon park. Entergy imax theatre brought excitement to the theater's gigantic 5 1/2-story screen with a mix of educational and blockbuster films during the year including kenya 3d: animal kingdom, island of lemurs: madagascar 3d, great white shark 3d, and interstellar. The combined attendance at the zoo, aquarium, imax , and butterfly garden and insectarium totaled 1. 94 million visitors, up 2% from 2013. Revenue from admissions totaled $15. 28 million. Audubon nature institute's program service total for operation and management of all the facilities was $28,484,560 which includes salaries incurred by audubon nature institute employees. These salary costs were reimbursed by a management contract with audubon commission. Audubon looks to the future with optimism, ready to embark on new adventures and meet the challenges ahead.

Community Stories

9 Stories from Volunteers, Donors & Supporters

General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

The Audubon Nature Institute is a great organization!

Board Member

Rating: 5

Audubon Nature Institute Inc. (ANI) is an extraordinary nonprofit entity. I am happy to comment on a few highlights of its work in our community and its extraordinary impact across the state.

ANI brings the wonders of nature, through it many programs and exhibitions in and around New Orleans, to families from this state and the region. Through the zoo, the aquarium, the butterfly garden and the Imax theatre, the children of this state, and our visitors from all over the world, learn about the world around us in an exciting and educational way. Our children are the better for these fun and educational experiences. ANI reaches out to our community in many ways which demonstrably makes New Orleans a better place. For instance, in its partnership with the Taylor Scholars, ANI awards admission to students from across the state who maintain their grades at a 2.5 or better--it teaches the life lesson of hard work, persistence and success, and it brings a tangible award/encouragement for good performance,. It also exposes our children to more educational adventures at the different ANI programs and exhibits. ANI is a great community asset as New Orleans works to grow family tourism, providing many of the highest quality family related attractions in our area. Finally, ANI is also a good steward of its resources, both from admissions fees and from donations. ANI has a proven track record of thoughtfully putting these resources to work to create exceptional value through its programs and exhibits.
Thank you. Ted

Review from Guidestar

Board Member

Rating: 5

Simply the Best board to serve on. The Audubon Family is so involved in the community and it shows by the number of people who visit Audubon facilities on a repeat basis.

Review from Guidestar

Beth108

Board Member

Rating: 5

Audubon Nature Institute offers so much, in fact, tops the list in New Orleans by far!
The Zoo,the Aquarium, Insectarium/Butterfly,Nature Center,Species Survival Center,
Imax, and Aud Park are our great assets, to be enjoyed by all who live here and all our visitors!
Pleasure, history, education, fun, all wrapped up into one phenomenal experience for all ages!

Review from Guidestar

Board Member

Rating: 5

great organization!!! brings super educational programs to the community.

Review from Guidestar

Board Member

Rating: 5

Audubon institute is a wonderful organization. I have had many opportunities to witness first hand the ways it touches our community. My board experience had been positive. I am consistently impressed with how well organized and well managed the institute is. I am happy to donate my time money to this not for profit!

Review from Guidestar

Board Member

Rating: 5

The Audubon Nature institute strives continually to improve it's facilities and it's programs. It's a leader amongst other institutes of the same caliber and helps to drive the education in the arena. Ron Forman has turned the zoo around almost single handedly and made it an example for other top zoo's around the country to follow as a model. In aaddition, the preservation and restoration of the Olmsted Audubon park has been if recent note and the facilities there are becoming more and more state of the art to the public with the inclusion of a golf course and many other mind and body enhancing experiences. The Awuarium and Insectarium provide joy and education most importantly to our youth and all others that are consistently welcomed each day. I am an honored and oud to young Board member and will continue to use the same resolve set by example by Ron Forman to continue to be a good steward to the institute.

Review from Guidestar

Board Member

Rating: 5

I live very near Audubon park(3 blocks away). I have been a member of the zoo and have had the pleasure of being able to use the park as a walking and biking path for very many years. In the the last 20 years , the Park and all its myriad of facilities has gone from "good to great". The park and the golf course are a joy to behold and use. It is rare that you can walk in a public park that is exceedingly well used and find not one trash can that is stuffed , not one shelter that has litter, a children's playground that is constantly used and clean and well manicured. The zoo, the Aquarium and the insectarium are always full of children and adults(me too) enjoying these facilities. It makes me so proud to see the numbers of out of town visitors who take the streetcar to the park, walk thru the park to the zoo. I am amazed that no matter when you go to the zoo(I have 5 grandchildren) that while crowded at times, the litter has been picked up, the animals appear to be comfortable-- even the petting zoo is exceptionally well managed. I am very proud of New Orleans and Audubon Nature Instiitutei! I believe,that Audubon is the reason that the quality of life in this city is so satisfying. Come walk with me in the park one morning at 6:30 am and you will understand!

Review from Guidestar

General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

my daughter has volunteered as a zookeeper since 4 grade she is now a junior in college they not only help the animals but the kids become well rounded we have grown more socially and environmentally friendly and we would like to thank you for giving to us and your community you have become and extended family and a sourse of stability especially after returning ffrom katrina she worried about the animals she cared for and kept in touch with the workers we wereall glad to return and find something wonderful you guys