Results: Founded in 1898, the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium has grown into one of the region's premier cultural institutions. Since its opening, the Zoo has provided this region with unique opportunities to discover and appreciate wildlife and nature. Today, the Zoo is a leader in the areas of education, conservation, research, and family entertainment.
As the region's most visited cultural attraction, the Zoo welcomes more than one million guests, in peak years, who infuse more than $44 million a year into the local economy. Nearly 400,000 students of all ages participate in the Zoo’s educational programs annually.
Each year, the Zoo conducts, supports, or advises on nearly 100 wildlife conservation projects on all 7 continents and 5 oceans. Including rescue, rehabilitation, and long-term care of injured or stranded wildlife, such as sea turtles and manatees.
A visit to the Zoo creates lasting memories, strengthens family and community bonds, and inspires conservation action. With a strong community of support, from individuals, local corporations, foundations, and the surrounding community, the Zoo continues to grow and flourish.
Target demographics: Wildlife
Direct beneficiaries per year: more than 80,000 guests through free admissions programs and countless species of endangered and threatened species
Geographic areas served: Pittsburgh and Around the World
Programs: The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium strives to foster positive, lifelong connections between animals and people. Whether through our exhibits, educational programs, or our many conservation projects, our goal is to make certain the Earth remains a suitable home for all life by our discovery of the interconnectedness of the natural world.
The zoo is open everyday except Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year's day. In 2017, more than one million individuals visited the zoo. Events and programs are centered around the zoo's primary mission - education, conservation and recreation. In peak years, more than 400,000 individuals participate in educational programs at the Zoo or through Zoomobile outreach programs. The Zoo hosts a variety of special events each year including ZooBrew, Summer Safari, Zoozilla 5K race, Baby Day, Festival of Water, Zoo Boo, Elephant Day, Noon Year's Eve, and many, many more!
In order to ensure accessibility for everyone, the zoo designates free days throughout the year. There are various other special promotions during the year offering discounted admission.
The zoo continues to be one of the largest youth employers in the region, offers internships in all areas of the facility, including the marketing, animal, education, veterinary and horticulture departments. For many decades, the Zoo Teen program has been providing opportunities for teens ages 14-17 to earn community service hours and volunteer at the zoo during the summer. In addition, more than 150 docents, corporate volunteers, and interns/externs dedicate more than 34,000 hours of service to the Zoo each year.
The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium is a KultureCity® Sensory Inclusive™ Certified site.
