Residents and Zoo New York staff urge Jefferson County legislators to fund expansion and programs

At the April meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Legislators, staff and supporters of Zoo New York asked county legislators for funding to support capital improvements, staffing and education and conservation programs.

The plea came during the meeting’s public comment period. Mark Irwin, speaking as interim executive director of the Thompson Park Conservancy and a volunteer with the zoo, told the board he was “volunteering as the interim executive director because I believe in the zoo.” He said the organization has built momentum this year and requested that legislators consider support to expand programming and visitor services.

The request was amplified by zoo staff describing programs and animal-care work. Katherine Allen, curator of Zoo New York, said, “Zoo New York will become a destination location and increase our local economy,” and described plans for immersive habitats, a Nature Playscape, and outreach aligned with state educational standards. Zookeeper Katie Chorma introduced Daisy, a Virginia opossum that was brought to the zoo as a nonreleasable animal, and used the animal to illustrate the zoo’s education mission and local wildlife conservation work.

Marketing and development coordinator Emily Griffin told the board that the zoo’s role extends beyond entertainment. “We are not here asking for a lifeline,” Griffin said. “We put in a lot of hard work to get to the financial and organizational level that we’re currently standing at. Instead, we’re asking for an investment.” She listed priorities in the zoo’s business plan including AZA accreditation, new exhibits and outreach to schools and community organizations.

Several residents and community members voiced support. Naomi Tapia, Holly Nichols and Morgan Borman described the zoo as a regional attraction and a family resource. Bud Masters and other residents said the zoo enriches life for children and families across Jefferson County. Ken Mix, chair of the zoo’s board, asked legislators to “take a chance on us,” and offered to keep the county informed on progress and outcomes if funding is approved.

Speakers emphasized examples of animals the zoo cares for that are nonreleasable — animals rescued with injuries or developmental issues that require long-term care — and said those animals form part of the facility’s education and conservation mission. Griffin listed several animals and the circumstances that made them nonreleasable, including a mountain lion found as an orphaned cub, an eagle with unrecoverable injuries, and opossums and raptors rehabilitated locally.

Zoo representatives said they have a business plan and identified specific outcomes they would pursue with county investment: more year-round marketing, expanded school programming, improved exhibits, and work toward AZA accreditation. No formal vote or budget action on zoo funding occurred during the meeting; legislators moved on to other agenda items and scheduled an executive session later in the evening.

The board did not take a funding vote on the floor at this meeting. Zoo New York representatives said they would provide follow-up materials and asked legislators to review the submitted business plan ahead of any future funding decision.