Zoo Named Lugar Energy Patriot

Through the Lugar Energy Patriot program, Indiana’s senior senator Richard Lugar profiles a student, professional, scholar, or member of the business community who has demonstrated leadership and initiative in taking concrete action to improve America's energy security.

The Indianapolis Zoo’s energy team in Indianapolis, Indiana is the 31st recipient of the Lugar Energy Patriot award.

A Team Effort
Life at the Indianapolis Zoo is changing, and the animal residents aren’t the only ones benefiting from the changes. For the past few years, a 200-persons staff has been researching and implementing new ways to make the Indianapolis Zoo more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

“We believe that the wise use of resources is important to the long-term welfare of the wildlife and the long-term financial welfare of the institution,” said Paul Grayson, Deputy Director and Senior Vice Presidents of Conservation and Science. “The institution considers stewardship as a part of the culture; not just of the wildlife and environment, but of the facilities, too.”

Grayson, who partners with five team members when working on conservation efforts, said the philosophy to conserve energy and recycle materials started many years back with staff from every department and level.

“It makes the whole process of change easier when everyone wants the same goal,” Grayson said. “Don’t be afraid to seek out people who believe in the philosophy.”
 
The Indianapolis Zoo sought out the Purdue Technical Assistance Program in 2008 to help pinpoint all of the areas where the zoo could improve their energy conservation. Once identified, a plan was developed for how to conquer the list of improvements.
 
“Not everything we do through energy conservation saves us money,” said Claudia Willis, CFO and Senior Vice President of Operations. “Sometimes things save money, but when we replace equipment we buy the most energy efficient regardless of if there are less costly options. We focus on what will be the most sustainable.”
 
Willis said the biggest areas of concern for conservation are the dolphin and marine life pavilions. The zoo was discarding two million gallons of water and 250 tons of salt from cleaning the aquariums each year. Through the new seawater reclamation program, a cleaning process for the current water used in the aquariums, the Zoo is able to reuse the resources they have, explained Mike Teague, Director of Facilities. The water is cleaned in underground tanks and reused later, saving thousands of gallons of water and salt, plus additional financial savings for the Indianapolis Zoo.

Water isn’t the only recycled material at the Indianapolis Zoo. All furniture comes from the Eli Lilly corporate offices in Indianapolis. A special partnership allows the staff at the zoo to save the older office furniture from the Lilly offices and utilize it for offices and areas at the zoo. In addition to reusing office furniture, all new purchases of tables and benches at the zoo are made from recycled materials.

The Zoo also partners with Ray’s Trash to identify new recycling opportunities. Before exhibits are constructed, Ray’s Trash representatives come to the zoo and indicate materials that can be recycled for other projects. From the Cheetah exhibit alone, more than 13 tons of materials ranging from metal to greenery were recycled, according to Tim Savona, Vice President of Operations. The housekeeping department recycles waste and composts all herbivore manure.

Setting Standards
Despite no official LEED standards for animal housing facilities, the Indianapolis Zoo still follows as closely as possible to the LEED certification standards.

“We don’t have a model for what to do in regards to animal housing; some things just aren’t feasible when thinking about what’s good for the animals,” said Michael Sanderson, Building Automation and Energy Manager. “So, we do the best we can by looking at what is applicable in other areas and try to follow the LEED requirement in those areas.”

The first step with implementing change is to measure what the current process does. Once there is a successful form of measurement, then find ways to make productive changes said Sanderson.  Not all changes must occur simultaneously. Lighting is one area that the energy team takes gradually. Whether it be lighting in a building facility or the decorative lights used for Christmas at the Zoo, replacing fluorescent bulbs to LED bulbs is a multi-year process. Additionally, all vehicles will be replaced with more fuel efficient options – such as bicycles.

“We have an entire fleet of bicycles that we use to get around the grounds,” said Grayson. “We have eliminated over 50 percent of our gas powered vehicles already and plan to replace the other 50 percent very soon.”

The Indianapolis Zoo security officers now drive T3 electric vehicles, and other vehicles have been switched to diesel fuel, allowing for more fuel efficiency.

The efforts of the Indianapolis Zoo’s energy team don’t end there. The Zoo has been recognized by the EPA as the first animal-housing facility to receive the Green Power Purchasing Award.  As Indianapolis Power and Light’s largest consumer of sustainable energy, the zoo operates fully on sustainable energy - a significant feet for a zoo operating solely on patron-based income.

Not Just Talk
While significant changes are made behind the scenes, Norah Fletchall, Vice President of Conservation, brings the zoo’s efforts full-circle through their educational programming. Fletchall oversees the many outreach programs, such as My Carbon Pledge, that educate the public and Zoo patrons about energy conservation. 

My Carbon Pledge is an initiative created to promote all patrons commitments to performing simple daily tasks to reduce their energy usage. From turning down the thermostat or unplugging unused appliances at home, more than 7,500 people have joined the efforts in energy conservation by pledging online through the Web site www.mycarbonpledge.com.

Other programs include Polar Bear Plunge, a life-size version of the childhood game “Don’t Break the Ice”, where kids learn what to do to cut back on energy usage, and Tropical Topple, a large-scale version of Jenga, showing how all life is affected by energy consumption. These games are taken to festivals and other community events in an effort to reach out and teach children good, energy-saving habits.

Patrons and the public alike are noticing and benefiting from the work being done by the Zoo. In a focus group conducted by the Indianapolis Zoo, patrons said they remember seeing the recycling stations around the zoo and staffers riding bicycles to get around the grounds. In addition, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums reported that the Indianapolis Zoo, along with three other AZA accredited Indiana zoos, contributes $84.3 million in economic activity. No doubt that their energy savings enhance the Indianapolis Zoo’s ability to grow the economy.

Whether for the lives of the families visiting daily or the numerous inhabitants of this animal kingdom, the Indianapolis Zoo’s energy team is making a difference and setting a great example in energy stewardship.