2020-11-13T07:53:39-08:00 2019-12-31 760269860 Blazek & Vetterling 2900 Weslayan Suite 200 Houston TX 77027 990 2019-01-01 741590271 Houston Zoo Inc HOUS 7135336501 1513 Cambridge Houston TX 77030 Lee Ehmke President & CEO 2020-11-13 true Barbara Murphy P01386215 7134395739 2019 2021-01-29 14:40:06Z Lee Ehmke 1513 Cambridge Houston TX 77030 87957811 false X www.houstonzoo.org X 1920 TX We strive to be a zoo that practices exemplary animal care, delivers an outstanding guest experience, creates a workplace that instills respect and teamwork, provides learning opportunities, promotes conservation awareness, and inspires community support. 37 37 675 937 0 65803520 32441395 36675604 40199677 838342 1325179 -89080 -33920 103228386 73932331 2950497 3383437 0 26052083 27503498 85282 156000 3988520 20770323 21854047 49858185 52896982 53370201 21035349 226345789 253408258 9395135 14013189 216950654 239395069 Connect communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife. false false 39615013 38765314 Aspiring to be one of the best zoos in the country, the Houston Zoo is focused on ensuring that visitors from both within and outside the Houston area feel like they have been as close to the wild as they can get. The Houston Zoo's animal care team, Conservation Education Department, Zoo Rangers, and our Guest Relations personnel lead this effort.The Zoo's animal keepers provide uncompromising excellence in animal care as well as world class guest experiences. During this reporting period, the Houston Zoo animal care participated in Meet the Keeper talks, behind-the-scenes tours, and many other personal animal experiences for our guests which encourage appreciation and empathy for animals in the zoo and in the wild. These experiences help our guests understand how they can help save animals in the wild and how the Houston Zoo directly supports the conservation of various species across the globe. Providing diverse learning experiences, the Houston Zoo's Education Department promotes connections with the natural world, empowering our guests to inquire, act, and conserve. During this reporting period, the Houston Zoo's Education Department personnel conducted interpretive programs on the grounds reaching approximately 481,327 participants.The Zoo is also committed to ensuring all Houstonians, regardless of means, have access to the Zoo. The Zoo ranks in the bottom 50% of zoo admission prices for comparable accredited zoos in the United States and below average for Texas zoos and similar local attractions. Guests are offered free or heavily discounted pricing through multiple programs. Lone Star Card program - Admission of up to 2 adults and 3 children for $5.25 each when card is presented. Military program - Admission of up to 2 adults and 3 children at 50% discount with military ID. Schools and Groups - Free admission to all schools (school children, teachers and chaperones), within the Houston city limits, accredited by the Texas Education Agency or the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission. Free Days - Free admission to the public on the first Tuesday of each month from September to May. Lone Star, Schools Active Military & Groups Free Days Total 2019 186,010 112,053 53,081 351,144 2018 186,523 107,880 57,033 351,436 4354596 3383437 The Houston Zoos Wildlife Conservation Program was initiated in 2004 to facilitate leadership in conservation efforts related to the survival of threatened wildlife, the wise use of natural resources, and the appreciation of our natural world. As of fiscal year 2019, we currently support 42 projects in 22 countries around the world including the US. Accordingly, the Houston Zoo has committed 6% of its annual operating budget to support this program, which compares favorably with other zoos, most of which do not make such substantial commitments to conservation from their operating budgets.The Houston Zoo recognizes the need to work both close to home, supporting a number of wildlife reintroduction projects right here in Texas, and also across the globe where we support critical efforts aligned with the animals we house here at the Houston Zoo. These programs quite often focus not only on wildlife but as much on the support of the human communities living with those species on a daily basis. We believe conservation is not just about saving species but about improving the lives of the local communities so they see the benefits of protecting animals in the wild. Through partnerships with local, national, and international conservation agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), such as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Houston Zoo actively participates in programs designed to protect both animals and their natural habitats worldwide. 2021938 1434363 The Zoos conservation education programs offer a continuum of learning from birth to adulthood including fee-based educational programs, on-site live interpretation, adult volunteers and interns, and interpretive planning. Fee-based programs include family programs, early childhood programs, summer camp, overnights and ZooMobiles.Conservation Education Programs (1/1/2019 to 12/31/1019): Total persons served: 517,865 (includes onsite guest interactions by staff, teens and volunteer interpreters, pre-schedule fee-based programming) Pro-bono programming: The Houston Zoo values being a Zoo for All. Conservation Education supports this value by offering free weeklong summer camp experiences for need-based children ages 4-16. In addition, 20% of our ZooMobile programs are pro-bono for the community and we award college scholarships to our Zoo Crew teens that are graduating out of the program to college. Summer Camp scholarships: 223 campersZooMobile programs: 64 programs reaching approx. 5,407 peopleZoo Crew teen college scholarships: 4 teens36 projects in 21 countries in 2019 45991547 true true false false false false false true true true true false false false false false true false false false true true true true true false false true true true false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false true 188 0 true 675 true false false false false false true true false 0 false false false false false false false X 37 37 false false false false false true false true true false false true true true true true true true true false X X Jeri Nordbrock 7135336750 1513 Cambridge Houston TX 77030 Lee Ehmke President & CEO 40.00 0.00 X 436755 0 18799 Sheryl Kolasinski COO 40.00 0.00 X 243514 0 17275 Mark Van Wickler Exhibit Design Dir 40.00 0.00 200765 0 14708 John Trahan CFO 40.00 0.00 X 200152 0 15306 Roberto Espinosa VP Development 40.00 0.00 166606 0 15748 Kristin Finney VP HR 40.00 0.00 150518 0 15482 Peter Riger VP Conservation 40.00 0.00 150486 0 12396 Lisa Avendano VP Animal Ops 40.00 0.00 150149 0 12375 Leslie Forestier VP Finance 40.00 0.00 X 64640 0 13030 Stacy Methvin Board Chair 4.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Joe Cleary Vice Chair 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Cullen Geiselman Vice Chair 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Robert Graham Vice Chair 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Neal Manne Vice Chair 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Jim Postl Vice Chair 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Suzanne Nimocks Imm Past Chair 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Sami Ahmad Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Roxanne Almaraz Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Bill Barnett Member Emeritus 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Carlos Bueno Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Roberto Contreras Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Joshua Davidson Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Joe Dilg Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Mike Dishberger Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Jeff Dudderar Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Anne Duncan Member Emeritus 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Robert Edwards Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Jenny Elkins Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Kat Gallagher Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Amy Garrou Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Eureka Gilkey Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Marty Goossen Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Gillian Hobson Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Tandra Jackson Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Jill Jewett Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Myrtle Jones Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Peggy Kostial Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Kimberly McKay Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Clay Neff Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Bruce Niemeyer Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Alie Pruner Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Ron Rand Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Tim Roberts Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Brent Smolik Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Bas Solleveld Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Macey Stokes Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Molly Voorhees Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Cynthia Walker Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Randa Duncan Williams Member Emeritus 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Austin Young Member Emeritus 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 1763585 135119 24 false true false Tellepsen Builders 777 Benmar 400 Houston TX 77060 Construction 16603718 Brave Architecture 4617 Montrose Blvd C230 Houston TX 77006 Architect 1537329 Studio HansonRoberts 250 Madrona 220 Bainbridge Island WA 98110 Architect 3565020 Strike Marketing 906 Rutland Street Houston TX 77008 Advertising 1384345 Service Systems Associates 4624 Central Park Denver CO 80238 Food service 2701371 17 7538100 1264744 23638551 2771998 32441395 Admission fees 900099 15322836 15322836 City management fee 561499 10127489 10127489 Concessions 722210 3956216 3956216 Educ. progr. & events 611600 10793136 10793136 40199677 601681 601681 0 0 0 14302145 13578647 723498 723498 723498 412913 1264744 446833 -33920 -33920 0 0 0 73932331 40199677 1291259 1383398 1383398 14496 14496 1985543 1985543 0 1009471 432668 400369 176434 0 21425619 18487981 991197 1946441 707765 610425 32353 64987 2697542 2296728 146624 254190 1663101 1414652 97679 150770 0 67070 67070 28472 28472 0 156000 156000 105806 105806 4022120 3004267 703455 314398 1559749 1534985 16076 8688 848984 584663 52725 211596 397352 181131 137344 78877 0 946537 916751 21662 8124 358567 326924 13360 18283 0 585307 373819 3279 208209 7615 7615 0 8754159 8754159 643294 579116 31145 33033 Supplies 1959317 1928080 250 30987 Printing & publications 647226 292136 29627 325463 Grounds/Events 485369 484533 608 228 Equipment expense 437103 405092 30199 1812 0 52896982 45991547 2916915 3988520 12852677 19681656 20093319 9918910 54592432 59616920 627463 654804 0 0 0 90526 102910 994815 1022378 205268635 66498745 117642177 138769890 19452380 22580443 1060347 0 0 0 226345789 253408258 5572772 8933849 3751880 4139254 70483 107779 832307 9395135 14013189 X 144066349 161036906 72884305 78358163 216950654 239395069 226345789 253408258 21035349 1409066 X false true X true false X 14246988 16879194 33435509 65803520 32441395 162806606 0 0 14246988 16879194 33435509 65803520 32441395 162806606 54897706 107908900 666304 603974 536064 538598 601681 2946621 0 0 165753227 187197761 0.65100 0.63370 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X X X X false false true X 11709422 1292829 2407539 93982 87920 15227888 12473441 33368 -711865 8200 77322 11709422 10825755 9000 1710324 71638 12473441 9253968 1054000 598621 31704 49130 10825755 9343383 22532 -7048 29687 75212 9253968 0.54540 0.23210 0.22250 false false false 163709822 59800079 103909743 14352269 6698666 7653603 27206544 27206544 138769890 75235591 1409066 1409066 73826525 105806 105806 73932331 52791176 52791176 105806 105806 52896982 Part III, Line 1a: If organization elected under SFAS 116 to not report are, historical treasures, o In accordance with industry practice, the Houston Zoo does not capitalize animal and horticultural collections; acquisitions are reported as expenditures in the period of acquisition. The Houston Zoo is responsible for the health and welfare of its animal and horticultural collections. The Houston Zoo maintains records of its collections and any exchanges with other organizations. Under the direction of the Board of Directors, the President, and the curatorial staff, collections continue to be cared for, used, and expanded. In 2019 and 2018, the Houston Zoo expended approximately $25,000 and $32,000, respectively, to expand its collections.In an ongoing commitment to enhance worldwide reproduction and conservation of animals, the Houston Zoo exchanges animals with other organizations. Consistent with industry practice, the Houston Zoo does not record any liability for such exchange arrangements as generally these arrangements are without monetary consideration. Part III, Line 4: Description of organization's collections and how it furthers its purpose. The Houston Zoo is a conservation, education, and recreation organization dedicated to the reproduction, protection, and exhibition of animals in their habitats. The Houston Zoo provides a fun, unique and inspirational experience fostering appreciation, knowledge and care for the natural world. Part IV, Line 2b: Explanation of escrow account liability At 12/31/19, the Zoo held funds on behalf of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Tapir Specialist Group (TSG), which studies tapirs and their habitat in order to gain a better understanding of their biology and promote their long-term survival in the wild. TSG has no mechanism for managing incoming or outgoing funds in the United States. Donors who wish to support TSG make donations to the Houston Zoo on behalf of TSG which the Zoo holds until the TSG Chair requests funding for travel, fieldwork, or individual grants for work performed in Tapir range countries in Central/South America and Malaysia. Part V, Line 4: Intended uses of the endowment fund. To provide ongoing support for operating needs and program services that are consistent with the Houston Zoo's mission, and to provide growth and expansion of programs and/or creation of new programs. true East Asia/Pacific 0 0 Program Conservation 383530 Sub-Saharan Africa 0 0 Program Conservation 1185133 Cntl America/Caribbean 0 0 Program Conservation 66087 South America 0 0 Program Conservation 325764 Europe 0 0 Program Conservation 16650 North America 0 0 Program Conservation 8379 1985543 1985543 E Asia/Pacific See Part V 26730 Wire E Asia/Pacific See Part V 30000 Wire E Asia/Pacific See Part V 41000 Wire E Asia/Pacific See Part V 50000 Wire E Asia/Pacific See Part V 6000 Wire E Asia/Pacific See Part V 82500 Wire Europe See Part V 16650 Wire North America See Part V 7814 Wire South America See Part V 106175 Wire South America See Part V 113350 Wire South America See Part V 52215 Wire South America See Part V 54000 Wire Sub-Sah Africa See Part V 149522 Wire Sub-Sah Africa See Part V 164500 Wire Sub-Sah Africa See Part V 175699 Wire Sub-Sah Africa See Part V 35449 Wire Sub-Sah Africa See Part V 439825 Wire Sub-Sah Africa See Part V 76600 Wire Sub-Sah Africa See Part V 87000 Wire 19 Conservation support Central America 11 66086 Wire transfer Conservation support East Asia/Pacific 6 147300 Wire transfer Conservation support North America 1 565 Wire transfer Conservation support South America 1 24 Wire transfer Conservation support Sub-Sah Africa 4 56539 Wire transfer false false false false false false Part I, Line 2 - Grantmakers Explanation For Monitoring Use of Funds Outside US The Houston Zoo's selection standards for awarding grants are based on our mission statement goals and long term development of regional programs. We do not solicit proposals nor do we have a formal process for receiving and evaluating grant requests. Instead we actively seek out projects that fit the guidelines of the Zoo's Wildlife Conservation Program (see Part III, Line 4b). We then meet with the researchers to see how well they fit with our Zoo. We do not spend much money up front until we are satisfied that the researchers will communicate and interact with the Zoo (web, media, reports, speaker requests, articles, etc.), and their research program is sustainable over the next 1-3 years that we intend to partner with them. We monitor their progress through periodic site visits where practicable and request that they provide periodic reports of activities. X X X X X X X true Sterling Associates 55 Waugh Dr 601 Houston TX 77007 Centennial campaign false 15505800 156000 15349800 15505800 156000 15349800 TX Zoo Ball 972436 802007 170429 21003 66290 7500 140235 Conserv Gala 705221 462737 242484 2547 83468 1475 124315 1677657 1264744 412913 23550 149758 8975 264550 446833 -33920 true Americans for Oxford Inc 500 Fifth Avenue 32nd Floor New York NY 10110 521495060 501(c)(3) 59607 0 Ruaha Carnivore Project Support Bat Conservation Intl Inc 500 N Capital of TX Highway Austin TX 78746 742553144 501(c)(3) 40000 0 Support Bat Walk Program Baylor College of Medicine PO Box 301207 Dallas TX 75303 741613878 501(c)(3) 393734 0 EEHV Research Project Conservation Breeding Group 12101 Johnny Cake Ridge Road Apple Valley MN 55124 411719362 501(c)(3) 10000 0 Operating Support - Breeding Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Intl 800 Cherokee Avenue SE Atlanta GA 30315 521118866 501(c)(3) 20000 0 Operating Support Ecology Project International 315 S 4th St E Missoula MT 59801 912163952 501(c)(3) 50000 0 Galapagos Educational Program Four Corners Institute 3409 Lake Vanessa Circle NW Salem OR 97304 850457996 501(c)(3) 13750 0 Giant Otter Conservation Program Friends of Laguna Atascosa NW 22817 Ocelot Road Los Fresnos TX 78566 742815350 501(c)(3) 30000 0 Ocelot Recovery Program Global Wildife Conservation PO Box 129 Austin TX 78767 262887967 501(c)(3) 11000 0 IUCN Pavilion Gorilla Rehab & Conserv Ctr PO Box 334 Cumberland ME 04021 462308758 501(c)(3) 29500 0 Operating Support Intl Elephant Foundation PO Box 366 Azle TX 76098 752815706 501(c)(3) 20000 0 Operating Support Intl Rhino Foundation 201 Main Street 2600 Fort Worth TX 76102 752395006 501(c)(3) 10000 0 Operating Support International Crane Fdn E 11376 Shady Lane Road Baraboo WI 53913 391187711 501(c)(3) 67186 0 Whooping Crane Recovery Support Lincoln Park Zoo 2001 N Clark Street Chicago IL 60614 362512404 501(c)(3) 20000 0 Operating Support Minnesota Zoo Foundation 13000 Zoo Boulevard Apple Valley MN 55124 510147653 501(c)(3) 10000 0 Malaysian Tiger Conservation Mountain Gorilla Vet Project PO Box 356 Davis CA 95617 061752363 501(c)(3) 110000 0 Operating Support Smithsonian Natl Zoological PO Box 37012 MRC 5507 Washington DC 20013 530206027 501(c)(3) 60000 0 Panama Amphibian Rescue UC Davis 1089 Veterinary Medicine Dr Davis CA 95616 946036494 501(c)(3) 51022 0 Wildlife Conservation Program Wildlife Conservation Network 209 Mississippi Street San Francisco CA 94107 300108469 501(c)(3) 245735 0 Various conservation projects Wildlife Guardians PO Box 2378 Alexandria VA 22301 364712624 501(c)(3) 110512 0 Operating Support Wildtracks PO Box 765 Indian Hills CO 80454 475083846 501(c)(3) 8360 0 Belizean Primates Support 21 0 Conservation research support 2 14496 Grantmaker's Description of How Grants are Used The Houston Zoo's selection criteria for awarding grants are based on our mission statement goals and long term development of regional programs. We do not solicit proposals nor do we have a formal process for receiving and evaluating grant requests. Instead we actively seek out projects that fit the areas of interest of the Zoo's leadership and staff. We then meet with the researchers to see how well they fit with our Zoo. We do not spend much money up front until we are satisfied that they will communicate and interact with the Zoo (web, media, reports, speaker requests, articles, etc.) and their research program is sustainable over the next 1-3 years that we intend to partner with them. We monitor their progress through periodic site visits where practicable and request periodic reports of activities. X X X X false true false false false false false false false John Trahan CFO 200000 152 8471 6835 215458 Kristin Finney VP HR 150356 162 6021 9461 166000 Lee Ehmke President & CEO 436601 154 11412 7387 455554 Lisa Avendano VP Animal Ops 149996 153 6020 6355 162524 Mark Van Wickler Exhibit Design Dir 200613 152 7321 7387 215473 Peter Riger VP Conservation 150333 153 6041 6355 162882 Roberto Espinosa VP Development 166454 152 6056 9692 182354 Sheryl Kolasinski COO 243360 154 9888 7387 260789 X 9 2657770 NYSE X Auction items 60 64315 FMV X Food/beverages 1 49913 FMV false true false Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b: Form 990 Review Process Form 990 is reviewed by the CEO and the CFO. Once reviewed internally, the Form is reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee. A copy of the Form is provided to each Board member prior to filing with the IRS. Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c: Explanation of Monitoring and Enforcement of Conflicts The Zoo's Board of Directors has a conflict of interest policy to ensure that both the Zoo and its directors and officers are protected from concerns of conflict of interest. The policy asks the directors and officers to disclose their relationship with other organizations or people that might give rise to a situation in which the officer or director would be subject to criticism for a conflict. Each year the Zoo asks its directors and officers to complete and file a form with the Zoo to meet this requirement. The Chairperson of the Audit Committee is responsible for the oversight process and the Chairperson of the Board of Directors is responsible for addressing any conflicts that may be disclosed in the process. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15a: Compensation Review & Approval Process - CEO, Top Management The compensation of the President/CEO is determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The Committee reviews both comparable salaries for similar positions listed on other organizations' Form 990s as well as comparable position salaries in the American Zoological Association Salary Survey. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15b: Compensation Review and Approval Process for Officers and Key Employees See above for the process followed for other officers and key employees. Form 990, Part VI, Line 19: Other Organization Documents Publicly Available These documents are provided upon request.