Zoo New England (ZNE) will receive $149,000 through a Project Grant award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) National Leadership Grants program to develop an engagement initiative targeting underserved communities in Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Through the one-year award period ending October 2022, ZNE will work to identify at least 150 stakeholder organizations to partner with to bring an estimated 5,000-9,000 local residents into focus groups, community asset mapping...
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded a $497,500 Museums for America (CFDA 45.301) project grant to the Conservation Society of California (doing business as The Oakland Zoo) to pilot a community feedback and conservation project. The project aims to promote community engagement, access, and inclusion by utilizing an internal steering committee, an external community advisory council, and a listening tour in Oakland to solicit community feedback. The project will also...
The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden received a $143,072 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services' Museums for America (CFDA 45.301) program. The grant will support the development of a new exhibit that aims to engage guests on the issue of wildlife trafficking. The project includes two phases of audience research to assess baseline knowledge and attitudes, followed by the design and installation of an educational experience tailored to the zoo's regional audience. The goal is to...
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded a $1,082,289 National Leadership Grant to Zoo New England (ZNE) to develop capacity for zoos to use genetics research to study and improve the health of animal populations in zoo care. The three-year project (September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2027) will bring together veterinarians, pathologists, population managers, geneticists, and software experts to develop health data standards, protocols, and training for uniform biospecimen...
The Woodland Park Zoological Society, doing business as Woodland Park Zoo, was awarded a $507,070 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Museums for America (CFDA 45.301) program. The grant will support the development and implementation of a Conservation Leadership Program at the zoo. The program will equip approximately 28 zoo supervisors and project managers with the knowledge and skills to apply equity, inclusion, and anti-racist practices to the zoo's...
The Wildlife Conservation Society received a $300,000 Project Grant award from the Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education on August 15, 2022 to support the IGNITING MARINE PROTECTION & CAREERS FOR TEENS (IMPACT) program. The grant was awarded under the Innovative Approaches to Literacy; Promise Neighborhoods; Full-Service Community Schools; and Congressionally Directed Spending for Elementary and Secondary Education Community Projects program (CFDA 84.215)....
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded a $126,480 Project Grant through its Museums for America (CFDA 45.301) program to Great Explorations Inc., a non-profit organization operating the Great Explorations Children's Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida. The grant funds will support the design and fabrication of new exhibit space to enhance the well-being and impact of the museum's living collection. Key project activities include purchasing supplies and materials to create...
The Lowry Park Zoological Society of Tampa, Inc. will deliver the "Wild Where We Live: Online and Experiential Enrichment for Early Learning Support" program through a $122,212 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The program builds on a previous "Champions for Children" pilot to provide virtual and in-person early learning support services to families recovering from pandemic-related challenges. Activities include weekly virtual story times by the...
The Oglebay Good Zoo, part of the Wheeling Park Commission, received a $540,336 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (CFDA# 45.032 - 21st Century Museum Professionals Program) to develop a paid experiential workforce development program. The program will remove affordability barriers for future zoo professionals seeking applied work experience. Key elements include: Partnering with West Liberty University to conduct three annual virtual workshops introducing...
The Chicago Zoological Society, operating as Brookfield Zoo, was awarded a $491,844 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Museums for America (MFA) program. The grant will fund the development of a sustainable model to build the capacity of K-12 educators to advance conservation leadership through student-centered, inquiry-based instruction with multi-disciplinary connections. Key activities include revising and developing training curriculum,...