·Como Conservation

At Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, conservation is an important part of our mission.  Our goal is to take an active role in helping to conserve our planet’s resources – plants, animals, and whole ecosystems. Our efforts take many different forms.

The Green Team
The Green Team at Como Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is a group comprised of staff members from all campus departments that meet monthly to monitor Como’s environmental efforts and maintain a sustainable workplace.

GREEN TEAM MISSION STATEMENT: To make Como Campus an Environmental Ambassador for its visitors, staff and volunteers by enhancing, fostering, inspiring green practices such as recycling, waste reduction, conservation, and education.

Green Design
Green Design is an important feature of the Visitor Center at Como Park. The interior walls are made of a recycled wood product. Photovoltaic cells help provide shade over the Fern Room and offer a source of renewable energy. The photovoltaic project was funded as a demonstration project by Xcel Energy.  

Water is collected and reused throughout the facility. Accumulated runoff goes through a series of pools and streams and ends up in an underground cistern. This water will eventually be used to irrigate the building's exhibit plantings.

Como's volunteer team interprets the photovoltaic cells and other environmentally friendly aspects of the Visitor Center to the general public.

The Conservation Parking Meter
The Conservation Parking Meter is on its twelfth year at Como! Money collected in the meter goes to the Center for Ecosystem Survival for the purchase of rainforest land in Central America and the Adopt an Acre program.

·Recycling

Cell Phone Recycling
Como has set up a permanent collection point to collect and recycle unwanted cell phones. All cell phones collected are sent to Eco-Cell and Como receives funds for each phone donated.  The funds raised go to orangutan conservation projects that help preserve one of the most critically endangered species on earth, the orangutan.

In addition to aiding endangered orangutans, recycling cell phones at Como also prevents toxic phone batteries from harming our earth when land-filled and helps to reduce the need to mine coltlan, a product used in making cell phones that is often illegally mined in an area of Africa that is home to endangered gorillas.

Drop off your unwanted cell phone in the collection boxes located in the Visitor Center. If you can’t make it to Como Park Zoo and Conservatory we are partnering with the St. Paul Public Library to make recycling your cell phone even easier! You may now drop off your unwanted cell phone and accessories at all 13 St. Paul Public Library locations.

With over 100 zoos and aquariums recycling cell phones with Eco Cell we are thrilled to be one of the top ten organizations in numbers of phones recycled. We couldn’t do it with out our visitors and partner libraries.

Important Note:  It is the responsibility of the donating party to cancel or switch service on the phone and to delete any data such as phone numbers, text messages, emails or documents that might be on the cell phone.
Phones can also be mailed to Como for recycling:
Cell Phone Recycling
Como Education Department
1225 Estabrook Drive
St. Paul, MN 55103
For more information on the Como cell phone recycling program call 651-487-8272.

To learn more about orangutans and what else you can do to help save their habitat visit The Orangutan Conservancy at www.orangutan.net
In 2008 Como’s Cell Phone recycling program received the Sustainable St Paul Award for Recycling.

Ink Jet Recycling
Recycle your ink jet and toner cartridges at St Paul's Como Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory.  Proceeds from the cartridge recycling program will help fund Conservation Projects on the Como Campus.  A collection box is located in the lobby of the Visitor Center.

On Grounds Public Recycling
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory has partnered with Eureka Recycling to create a model for public recycling. Eureka Recycling has received a grant from the EPA to create this model for "away from home" recycling. Few examples of large public space recycling programs exist. Como has assisted to determine best practices, including how to assess the need and design of public space recycling in the community.  You can now find recycling bins for cans, plastic and glass bottles and juice/milk cartons placed around the grounds.

In addition Como Campus recycles batteries, plastic plant pots, Styrofoam, corks from wine bottles, paper and cardboard, light bulbs, cooking and motor oil.  Horticultural waste is composted. Food scraps in staff lunchrooms are composted by worms (vermiculture) in bins that are also used for education programs.

Green Design
Green Design is an important feature of the Visitor Center at Como Park. The interior walls are covered with a recycled wood product, renewable cork and Forest Stewardship Council certified maple. Counters are made of Shetka Stone, a local product made of resin and recycled paper and fabric. The Concrete floors contain fly ash – a residue that is generated in the burning of coal.  Photovoltaic cells help provide shade over the Fern Room and offer a source of renewable energy. The photovoltaic project was funded as a demonstration project by Xcel Energy.  

Water is collected and reused throughout the new facility. Accumulated runoff goes through a series of pools and streams and ends up in an underground cistern. This water will eventually be used to irrigate the building's exhibit plantings.
 
Green design is a consideration in the planning and construction of new exhibits.

In-Situ Conservation Efforts
In-situ conservation means conservation work happening in the field. Through the joint efforts of Como Friends and Como Park Zoo and Conservatory we support conservation initiatives around the world, sometimes focusing on single species or working to conserve the ecosystem they live in.

The Conservation Parking Meter
The Conservation Parking Meter has been at Como since 1991! Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, utilizing the Conservation Meter to raise funds, is working to assist The Center for Ecosystem Survival and The Nature Conservancy to protect and conserve the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve (PSNR) in Peru. The Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve is made up of 8,042 square miles representing 1.5% the total surface area of the country which runs along the Amazon Basin, containing the longest extension of rainforest in the world!  The name is given from the Pacaya River and Samiria River which run though it.  The richness of the two rivers accounts for great diversity of wild and aquatic life.  Projects help to preserve the terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity while guaranteeing the livelihoods of local populations.  Help in river turtle management to aid locals in collection of turtle eggs and relocation in artificial nests on protected beaches within the reserve, assisting in repopulation.  In addition, the conservation partnership of Como, the Center and TNC is assisting local residents in palm conservation, providing technical assistance to help residents learn climbing-techniques for harvesting palms.  This allows the palms to re-grow in a sustainable manner, rather than cutting down the tree for the fruit.  In turn wildlife and humans are able to benefit from the palm's fruits as well as protection of habitat for various bird and mammal species.  Water being the lifeblood of Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve is a major way for local people to obtain food, consisting of 80% of their diet.  Funds raised through the Como Zoo's conservation partnership with the Center for Ecosystem Survival are helping to ensure long-term conservation for the benefit of Pacaya's residents, wildlife and critical ecosystems. The Center for Ecosystem Survival/SaveNature.org who is working in collaboration with  The Nature Conservancy (TNC), protect and conserve Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve's terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity while guaranteeing the livelihoods of local populations. 

Amphibian Ark 
The Amphibian Ark is a joint effort of 3 principal partners: the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG), and the IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist Group to address the Amphibian Crisis.  It is estimated over 50% of nearly 6000 species of amphibians are in danger of becoming extinct in the near future. More than 120 have gone extinct in the last few years. The urgent danger is chytrid fungus, but other causes include habitat loss, pollution and pesticides, and climate change. The Amphibian Ark, in which select species that would otherwise go extinct will be maintained in captivity until they can be secured in the wild is an important part of the response. Without immediate captive management as a stopgap component of an integrated conservation effort, hundreds of species could become extinct. Como has donated to support the Amphibian Ark as well as by participating in captive management of several species.
You can help by signing the online petition calling on support for amphibians by governments around the world.   Go to: http://www.amphibianark.org/online-petition.php

 
Andes to Amazon Biodiversity Project
AABP is studying interactions between organisms and their environment at multiple spatial scales in the Andes-Amazon region of southeastern Peru. Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is supporting ongoing field investigations of the Andes-Amazon region of southeastern Peru.  You can learn more about their exciting work at:  http://www.andesamazon.org/about_aabp/default.aspx

African Predator Conservation Research Organization (APCRO)
APCRO is an ongoing multidisciplinary project studying carnivores in Africa in seven ongoing projects.  Studies include the examination of the overall health and genetics status of the lion, leopard, African wild dog, cheetah, spotted hyena, and black back jackal as well as contraception in elephants.  For more information go to:  http://www.apcro.org/

Turtle Survival Alliance
Defined as an IUCN Partnership Alliance for Sustainable Captive Management of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises, the Turtle Survival Alliance seeks to preserve options for the recovery of wild populations. It is the only conservation organization in the world that is dedicated solely to preventing turtle extinctions.
The TSA is a task force of the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (TFTSG) and is a global partnership of private individuals, zoos, aquariums, field biologists, and researchers who have joined together to help conserve threatened and endangered species of tortoises and freshwater turtles. For more information go to: http://www.turtlesurvival.org/

 

·Animal Conservation

Species Survival Plan
Animal species at Como Zoo are managed through a program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums called the Species Survival Plan (SSP). Most species chosen for Species Survival Plans are endangered. Each SSP program manages the breeding of the captive population so that it remains healthy and genetically diverse.   Currently, 115 SSP’s covering over 181 individual species are administered by the Association of Zoos and Aquarium, whose membership includes accredited zoos and aquariums throughout North America. Como participates in 14 SSP’s: Gorilla, Orangutan, Spider Monkey, Blue-eyed Black Lemur, DeBrazza Monkey, Amur Tiger, Snow Leopard, African Lion, African Penguin, Radiated Tortoise, Polar Bear, Wyoming Toad and Panamanian Golden Frog. Other species are managed cooperatively through various Taxon Advisory Groups and Regional Collection Plans. For more information about how an SSP works go to:  http://aza.org/ConScience/ConScienceSSPFact/index.html


Como Zoo Receives International Species Management Honor
Zoo Keeper Megan Elder recently was awarded a prestigious international position within the zoo world when she was appointed the International Studbook Keeper for the orangutan species. In this role, Megan manages the genetic and demographic histories of every orangutan held in zoos, and private hands, across the world. Information tracked includes births and acquisitions, known parentages, the various identifiers used for each orangutan, locations they have been held, deaths within the population, and other relevant details for study. This important data is then used to make breeding recommendations to ensure a genetically diverse and demographically stable captive population and is also a source of data for various population research queries- requested from around the world! Megan's appointment is a testament to her expert work with orangutans and to the reputation that Como Zoo has gained in the zoo community for its exceptional animal care programs.
Over 1000 orangutans are currently exhibited in zoos around the world. Their native population, found only on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo, has dramatically dwindled due to logging, conversion of habitat to palm oil plantations, and a series of fires –all of which put the species under the threat of extinction within the next 10-25 years- making them the first modern Great Ape to potentially become extinct. Orangutans are the largest arboreal (tree-dwelling) mammal. “Orang-utan” means “person of the forest”. They are the only Great Ape found in Asia. Como strives to educate the public about the many issues facing orangutans in the wild through its numerous educational programs, keeper talks, and its annual Orangutan Awareness Weekend. Como Zoo participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums “Species Survival Program” and also has a successful cell phone recycling program that raises money to support the Orangutan Conservancy and in-situ field conservation projects.

Como Zoo’s First Studbook: The Crowned Lemur (Eulemur coronatus)
Como Zoo Primate Keeper, Megan Elder, is the North American regional studbook keeper for the Crowned lemur (Eulemur coronatus)- a species managed under the Eulemur Species Survival Plan (SSP). Crowned lemurs are found only on the northern tip of the island of Madagascar. Duke University’s Primate Center estimates only 1,000-10,000 individuals left in the wild. Threats to this species include human encroachment, “slash & burn” agriculture, and fragmented habitats. To qualify for this position, Megan underwent special training and completed two Population Management courses offered through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) professional development program. As studbook keeper, Megan is responsible for tracking all Crowned lemurs held in North American institutions and tracing them back to the wild. In doing so, a database is created that is used to perform genetic analyses for making breeding recommendations. Studbooks are important conservation tools that ensure a genetically diverse, healthy, captive population similar to those in the wild.

Blanding's Turtle Research
The Blandings turtle is listed as a threatened species in Minnesota.  Como Zoo keeper staff is working to document the location, type, and quality of habitat used by Blanding’s turtles Emydoidea blandingii. Keepers track the turtles throughout the year in wetlands, managed by the City of St. Paul Division of Parks and Recreation.

Keepers are trying to determine a population estimate of Blanding’s turtles Emydoidea blandingii in the study area. They are tracking movement to also determine key locations for breeding, nest, and hibernation sites of the turtles.

Amphibian Recovery and Conservation Coalition Project
It is believed that 50% of nearly 6000 species of amphibians are in serious danger of becoming extinct in the near future. The goal of the Amphibian Recovery and Conservation Coalition (ARCC) is to treat sick amphibians in the wild and establish healthy captive colonies here in the United States.
The American Zoo and Aquarium Society (AZA) chose to designate 2008 as the “Year of the Frog” to highlight the plight of amphibians worldwide. While the media blitz has run its course, the global amphibian crisis is an ongoing concern, and Como Zoo continues to support amphibian conservation in various ways.
Behind the scenes in the Animal Support Building, Como Zoo houses an interesting collection of frogs from around the world. Some of these frogs are used in educational programming, and others are carefully tended to and studied in order to collect information on their husbandry requirements. Several of these species are critically endangered, and Como Zoo is doing its part to ensure the survival of these important animals that may no longer have a place to live in the wild.
While deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and other forms of human encroachment are contributors to declining frog populations, one of the primary threats to many tropical frog species is the deadly chytrid fungus. Many frog species have limited home ranges and very specific requirements for survival in competitive environments, and this makes them particularly vulnerable to extinction. 
“Casa Rana” is a climate-controlled, closely-monitored room that houses an interesting and unique collection of small frogs in Como Zoo’s Animal Support Building. Due to the global amphibian crisis, Como staff is participating in the management and husbandry of five species of frogs endemic to the Central American country of Panama. Zookeepers at Como Zoo have successfully bred Panamanian Golden Frogs, Lemur Tree Frogs and Glass Frogs. Some of the resulting offspring have been donated to other AZA institutions.

Wyoming Toad
One important new project at Como concerns the Wyoming Toad. In 1984, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) recognized the Wyoming toad’s precarious status by listing the species as endangered. But populations continued to decline, and by 1994 the species was extinct in the wild. Only captive populations remained. Today 600 toads now exist in captivity. Each spring, a number of the offspring produced that year are held back for the captive breeding program. The rest are returned to Wyoming, where they are released as tadpoles or toadlets. Como has been accepted into the Species Survival Plan (SSP) for this species, which includes federal and state government, NGO's (Non-governmental organizations), research universities and private and public organizations (zoos and aquariums) coordinated to manage the toads’ survival.  Como, specifically, will be involved with captive breeding efforts to produce offspring destined for reintroduction of the toad back into its historical areas in attempt to re-establish a viable self-sustaining population.  To begin breeding the toads, Como is currently constructing a holding and breeding room for the Wyoming toad. Shelf upon shelf of various sized terrariums are being put together to hold the breeding pairs of toads and soon, we hope, their offspring. For a second year, Como keepers are participating in the field research and surveying of the species in Laramie, WY with the SSP.  Information learned is used to helping species breeding and to actively protect an endangered species.
For more information: www.wyomingtoad.com

Butterfly Conservation Initiative (BFCI)
Como recently joined a coalition of AZA accredited zoos and aquariums, non-governmental organizations and governmental agencies - working together to aid the conservation of threatened, endangered and vulnerable North American Butterflies and the habitats that sustain them. This initiative focuses on recovery, research and education. At Como we demonstrate butterfly gardening with the Enchanted Garden, which is located across from the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. In 2007, our on-site butterfly habitats were expanded to include space in the Bird Yard around the Old Mill House.

·Plant Conservation

Plant Rescue Center
Many plants are under severe threat of extinction from over-collection and destruction of their native habitats. The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory has been designated as a Plant Rescue Center by the U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). This program was created in order to salvage plants seized through the enforcement of regulations put in place by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). It was established in an effort to curb the illegal collection, documentation and trade of plants and to ensure their survival after confiscation.

Integrated Pest Management
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach to pest control that utilizes regular monitoring to determine if and when treatments are needed. It then employs physical, mechanical, cultural, biological and educational tactics to keep pest numbers low enough to prevent unacceptable damage or annoyance. Treatments are made only when and where monitoring has indicated that the pests will cause unacceptable economic, medical or aesthetic damage. Treatments are chosen and timed to be most effective and least hazardous to non-target organisms and the general environment. As part of the IPM program beneficial insects are released in the glasshouses to prey on pest insects - particularly in the Conservatory's public areas where pesticide use is extremely limited. In 2005, over 1 million beneficial insects were released. 

Take Action
At Como Park Zoo and Conservatory we believe that each of us has the power to help preserve the natural world, decrease our global footprint and inspire others to do the same.

Seafood Watch
Como has established a Seafood Watch Partnership with the Monterey Bay Aquarium to raise awareness with our visitors about the importance of buying seafood from sustainable sources. Visitors can pick up a Seafood Watch guide at the Visitor Center or in the Aquatics building. You can also download a copy here: http://www.mbayaq.org/cr/cr_seafoodwatch/download.aspx

Shade Grown Coffee
The education department has created a 'coffee card' that explains to Como visitors why they should purchase shade grown coffee. Coffee cards are available for interpreters to give out to visitors, who can then show the card in Garden Safari Gifts to receive a 10% discount on shade grown coffee. 

The shade grown label on coffee means that the beans were grown on a plantation that provides a rainforest home for birds and animals.   Over the last 20 years, many large coffee plantations have switched to full sun production, and in doing so eliminated the forest that serves as a critical habitat to many species of migratory birds.  Approximately 200 species of birds are known as neo-tropical migrants, breeding in North America and migrating south to Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean islands for the winter.