SB Zoo Strategic Plan “Roars Ahead”

On Friday, September 5, the Santa Barbara Zoo held a press conference in their Discovery Pavilion to present their Strategic Plan and a new collaboration with California State University Channel Islands, to increase their initiatives of conservation, education, and community outreach.

Attending the conference were the SB Zoo’s President & CEO Charles Hopper, California State University at Channel Islands Executive Director of Regional Partnerships Jennifer Perry PhD, SB County First District Supervisor Roy Lee, SB Mayor Randy Rowse, SBC District 2 Supervisor Laura Capps, SB City Council Members Oscar Gutierrez, Mike Jordan, Kristen Sneddon, and Mayor Pro Tempore Eric Friedman; Chair of the SB Zoo Board of Directors Jim Jackson; SB Zoo Board Members Crystal Wyatt, Jennifer Perry, and Sarah Berkus Gower; District Representative for Senator Monique Limón, Conner Plaice; Erica Reyes, representative for Congressman Carjabal, and Ethan Bertrand for Assemblymember Hart. 

During the reception, I spoke at length with SB Zoo Director of Education JJ McLeod. She explained the various avenues of educational opportunity they offer: “We work with local school districts [SB and Montecito], conduct zoo camps, have 4^th and 5^th grade overnights at the zoo partnering students with zoo staff for learning about animal care and California history; and we partner with UCSB Autism Center. One of our board members, Sarah Gower, is a Cold Spring School parent and PTA member, we [the zoo] want to be a part of their October event. Any school that reaches out to us we try to make a presence on site.” McLeod introduced me to Gower who added, “We are excited for the zoo’s upcoming participation in Cold Spring School’s Annual Fall Festival where we will have an interactive education table in a STEAM focus (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).”

The program commenced with a welcome from Gower. She introduced Hopper who provided his thanks for everyone’s interest in the SB Zoo’s ongoing strategic plan. He mentioned the zoo’s community response to H.R.3538 (2025-2026): Wildlife Confiscations Network Act of 2025 – a response which went beyond SBC to Los Angeles. The SB Zoo was contacted to help rehabilitate illegally trafficked box turtles discovered in Los Angeles. The zoo received ten of the turtles and were able to save three of them. Hopper, “This is your zoo! For over 60 years we have provided a place where all ages can learn about animals and our natural world. We are a leader in conservation, a place of impact, excellence in a place to work, and place for learning opportunities for everyone. With our zoo camps and subsidized educational opportunities, all children can learn at the zoo. We are halfway through our strategic plan which is based on three pillars: People, Place – because the SB Zoo is one of the best places to work, and Purpose – to lead in conservation, provide state of the art habitats for animals here, and to work with other communities on animal welfare and conservation. The SB Zoo focuses on the “Big Six” of native California animals – California condors, monarch butterflies, island foxes, red-legged frogs, sea otters, and western snowy plovers. Thank you for supporting us as we roar ahead!”

Hopper introduced Perry who presented on the importance of the collaboration between CSU Channel Islands and the SB Zoo for learning, community outreach, and conservation to ensure healthy ecosystems. The collaboration will start with an onsite office at the SB Zoo and evolve into the construction of a Conservation Center at the campus, approximately 1.4 acres leased by the zoo. The Conservation Center will house an animal care and recovery center, have a learning lab for students, serve as the headquarters and a satellite campus for the SB Zoo’s field operations, and additional areas to be considered. A fundraiser is being planned for the Conservation Center.

Following Perry, Mayor Rowse added the City of SB’s endorsement to the SBZ strategic plan by way of talking about key outdoor projects and wildlife habitats the city is involved with and supports, such as our 35 miles of trails, beaches, and open areas of nature. 

For more info: https://www.sbzoo.org/conservation-center-at-csuci