Senator Portantino Secures $2.2M for the Los Angeles Zoo Biodiversity & Renovation Projects
For Immediate Release: July 5, 2022
Contact: Lerna Shirinian, (818) 409-0400
Senator Portantino Secures $2.2M for the Los Angeles Zoo Biodiversity & Renovation Projects
Sacramento, CA - State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) announced today that his budget request for Los Angeles Zoo projects was adopted in the 2022-2023 State Budget. The allocation will be used by the City of Los Angeles to support community-building, biodiversity awareness, protection of endangered species and the development of more accessible and inclusive facilities.
“I always loved taking my daughters to the Zoo and in LA we have one of the best. It’s a historic landmark that encourages an appreciation for wildlife and biodiversity. For decades, it has welcomed families and visitors, offered educational programs and created an environment of discovery,” stated Senator Portantino. “I am proud to have secured this necessary funding for projects that will enhance and improve the Zoo experience.”
The funds from the 2022-2023 Budget will be used for the Angela Collier Garden’s state-of-the-art design elements and drought-tolerant native plants, the creation of the Cape Vulture Exhibit for vulnerable species, the renovation of the Swan Lake Exhibit, and a study to develop design guidelines to construct more accessible and inclusive restrooms thought the Zoo.
“The Los Angeles Zoo is thrilled to be included in the upcoming state budget,” said Denise Verret, CEO & Zoo Director, Los Angeles Zoo. “This critical funding will help upgrade two animal enclosures focusing on animal welfare, sustainability, and accessibility, implement an important study into accessible and inclusive restrooms designed to consider all people of different ages, genders, religions, and abilities, and improve natural spaces inside the Zoo to create an expansive entry garden park-like space to accommodate multiple uses and diverse audiences that will expand our capacity in education and community-building. The Zoo in partnership with the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA), is so happy to have this support from the State of California in our work to co-create a world where people and wildlife thrive, together.”
“As the support organization for the Los Angeles Zoo, the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) had previously raised $5.8 million for the Angela Collier Garden, the largest project in Senator Portantino's budget request,” stated GLAZA President Tom Jacobson. “The State of California allocation is the first of its kind in the Zoo's history and will make the Gardens a beautiful, flexible event space for education activities, community programs, site rentals and fundraising events, including GLAZA's annual Beastly Ball. Along with the Cape Griffin vulture and trumpeter swan habitats and the design study for a prototype inclusive restroom, this public/private partnership between the City of Los Angeles, the State of California and GLAZA will serve the animals in the Zoo's care as well as the people of our city and state and visitors from around the world who enjoy our Zoo.”
The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens opened on November 28, 1966. The Zoo receives 1.8 million visitors per year and is home to more than 2,200 mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. With over 270 different species, 58 of which are endangered, it also houses a botanical collection of planted gardens, as well as 800 different plant species with 7,000 individual plants.
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