2019-11-14T09:10:59-08:00 2018-12-31 760269860 Blazek & Vetterling 2900 Weslayan Suite 200 Houston TX 770275132 990 2018-01-01 741590271 Houston Zoo Inc HOUS 7135336501 1513 Cambridge Houston TX 77030 Lee Ehmke President & CEO 2019-11-14 true Barbara Murphy P01386215 7134395739 2018 2020-03-31 21:24:44Z Lee Ehmke 1513 Cambridge Houston TX 77030 118484755 false 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. 33 33 672 1300 0 38556 33435509 65803520 37212158 36675604 682405 838342 9203 -89080 71339275 103228386 2473663 2950497 0 26105693 26052083 77000 85282 3756737 19939905 20770323 48596261 49858185 22743014 53370201 173437216 226345789 5114306 9395135 168322910 216950654 Connect communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife. false false 37085186 35313535 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 156,991 participants. 4254265 2950497 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 2018, 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. 1909465 1362069 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 (1/1/2018 to 12/31/1018): Total persons served: 189,625 (includes onsite interactions by staff interpreters and pre-scheduled, 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: 204 campersZooMobile programs: 43 programs reaching approx. 3,850 individualsZoo Crew teen college scholarships: 4 teens 43248916 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 false false false true false false false false false false false false true 183 0 true 672 true true true false false false false true true false 0 false false false false false false false false false false false false X 33 33 false false false false false true false true true false false true true true true true true true true false X X John Trahan 7135336750 1513 Cambridge Houston TX 77030 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 Roxanne Almaraz Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Philip Bahr thru 618 Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Monica Benton thru 618 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 Jeff Dudderar Board Member 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 as of 718 Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Marty Goossen Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Winell Herron thru 618 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 as of 718 Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Clay Neff as of 718 Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Bruce Niemeyer thru 618 Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Sara Ortwein thru 618 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 Steve Trauber thru 618 Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Molly Voorhees Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Cynthia Walker as of 718 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 Lee Ehmke CEO 40.00 0.00 X 424085 0 8196 Leslie Forestier VP Finance 40.00 0.00 X 170693 0 15935 John Trahan CFO 40.00 0.00 X 84787 0 3672 Sheryl Kolasinski COO 40.00 0.00 X 235160 0 13257 Roberto Espinosa VP Development 40.00 0.00 X 160074 0 14126 Peter Riger VP Conservation 40.00 0.00 X 136462 0 11072 Kristin Finney VP HR 40.00 0.00 X 139807 0 14350 Mark Van Wickler Dir Exhibit Design 40.00 0.00 X 200400 0 11858 Lisa Avendano VP Animal Ops 40.00 0.00 X 135176 0 11021 1686644 103487 19 false true false Tellepsen Builders 777 Benmar 400 Houston TX 77060 Construction service 11618630 Baylor College of Medicine One Baylor Plaza Houston TX 77030 Research 527048 Studio HansonRoberts 250 Madrona Way NE 220 Bainbridge Island WA 98110 Architect 3821831 Strike Marketing 906 Rutland Street Houston TX 77008 Advertising 1262052 Service Systems Associates Inc 4699 Marion St Denver CO 80216 Food service 1961012 23 7221576 1453932 5000 57123012 3792253 65803520 Admission fees 900099 13659788 13659788 City management fee 561499 9973836 9973836 Concessions 722210 3539267 3539267 Educ. progr. & events 611600 9502713 9502713 36675604 538598 538598 0 0 0 14966892 14667148 299744 299744 299744 500141 1453932 589221 -89080 -89080 0 0 0 103228386 36675604 749262 1314624 1314624 31343 31343 1604530 1604530 0 962260 402049 403825 156386 0 20470715 17607944 1024026 1838745 652282 556239 34618 61425 2373667 2011016 141592 221059 1593159 1340322 104482 148355 0 34051 34051 61136 61136 0 85282 85282 97287 97287 3213948 2454460 463997 295491 1471588 1445143 17459 8986 838717 546495 65370 226852 458241 111396 271952 74893 0 894684 855612 28416 10656 390965 333625 24543 32797 0 405453 287501 1378 116574 0 0 8429292 8429292 637165 577268 25802 34095 Supplies 2259589 2213470 17519 28600 Printing & publications 697404 278152 6539 412713 Equipment expense 473177 442002 28540 2635 Grounds/Events 407626 406433 1193 0 49858185 43248916 2852532 3756737 13026409 12852677 10998785 20093319 18225681 54592432 3033973 627463 0 0 0 157331 90526 759273 994815 175386763 57744586 107103758 117642177 20132006 19452380 0 0 0 0 173437216 226345789 4299627 5572772 648554 3751880 166125 70483 5114306 9395135 X 135088735 144066349 29708076 69358178 3526099 3526127 168322910 216950654 173437216 226345789 X 53370201 -1411922 -3330535 X false true X true false X 17969911 14246988 16879194 33435509 65803520 148335122 0 0 17969911 14246988 16879194 33435509 65803520 148335122 52454810 95880312 616733 666304 603974 536064 538598 2961673 0 0 151296795 179709065 0.63370 0.88070 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X X X X false false true X 12473441 33368 -711865 8200 77322 11709422 10825755 9000 1710324 71638 12473441 9253968 1054000 598621 31704 49130 10825755 9343383 22532 -7048 29687 75212 9253968 8394467 466768 590197 32485 75564 9343383 0.49850 0.30110 0.20040 false false false 150207958 51232269 98975689 13797765 6512317 7285448 11381040 11381040 117642177 101719177 -1411922 -1411922 103131099 97287 97287 103228386 49760898 49760898 97287 97287 49858185 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 2018 and 2017, the Houston Zoo expended approximately $32,000 and $25,000, 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 12/31/18, 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 193275 Sub-Saharan Africa 0 0 Program Conservation 1106237 Cntl America/Caribbean 0 0 Program Conservation 32828 South America 0 0 Program Conservation 272190 1604530 1604530 Central America See Part V 5300 Wire E Asia/Pacific See Part V 10150 Wire E Asia/Pacific See Part V 14500 Wire E Asia/Pacific See Part V 15225 Wire E Asia/Pacific See Part V 20000 Wire E Asia/Pacific See Part V 20400 Wire E Asia/Pacific See Part V 21000 Wire E Asia/Pacific See Part V 30000 Wire E Asia/Pacific See Part V 30000 Wire South America See Part V 115000 Wire South America See Part V 117325 Wire South America See Part V 33740 Wire Sub-Sah Africa See Part V 152500 Wire Sub-Sah Africa See Part V 238520 Wire Sub-Sah Africa See Part V 25000 Wire Sub-Sah Africa See Part V 37244 Wire Sub-Sah Africa See Part V 386225 Wire Sub-Sah Africa See Part V 40000 Wire Sub-Sah Africa See Part V 45000 Wire Sub-Sah Africa See Part V 50000 Wire Sub-Sah Africa See Part V 6645 Wire Sub-Sah Africa See Part V 85000 Wire 22 Conservation support Central America 18 27528 Wire transfer Conservation support East Asia/Pacific 3 32000 Wire transfer Conservation support South America 2 6125 Wire transfer Conservation support Sub-Sah Africa 3 40103 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 58974042 85282 58888760 58974042 85282 58888760 TX Zoo Ball 1134750 881750 253000 65463 95065 15455 107892 Conserv Gala 819323 572182 247141 38056 95706 51086 120498 1954073 1453932 500141 103519 190771 66541 228390 589221 -89080 true Amer Assoc - Zoos & Aquariums 8403 Colesville Road 710 Silver Spring MD 20910 550526930 501(c)(3) 50000 0 ZA/SAFE Program Americans for Oxford Inc 500 Fifth Avenue 32nd Floor New York NY 10110 521495060 501(c)(3) 86764 0 Ruaha Carnivore Project Support Baylor College of Medicine PO Box 301207 Dallas TX 75303 741613878 501(c)(3) 527048 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 Ecology Project International 315 S 4th St E Missoula MT 59801 912163952 501(c)(3) 30000 0 Galapagos Educational Program Gorilla Rehab & Conserv Ctr PO Box 334 Cumberland ME 04021 462308758 501(c)(3) 25000 0 Operating Support Intl Rhino Foundation 201 Main Street 2600 Fort Worth TX 76102 752395006 501(c)(3) 10000 0 Operating Support International Elephant Fdn PO Box 366 Azle TX 76098 752815706 501(c)(3) 20000 0 Operating Support Jane Goodall Institute 1595 Spring Hill Road 550 Vienna VA 22182 942474731 501(c)(3) 10000 0 Operating Support Lincoln Park Zoo 2001 N Clark Street Chicago IL 60614 362512404 501(c)(3) 15000 0 Goualougo Triangle Ape Project 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 Okapi Conservation Project 1615 Riverside Avenue Jacksonville FL 32204 260035224 501(c)(3) 25000 0 Operating Support Port Aransas Chamber of Comm 403 West Cotter Ave Port Aransas TX 78373 741855506 501(c)(6) 10000 0 Support Whooping Crane Festival Smithsonian Institution 3001 Connecticut Ave NW Washington DC 20008 530206027 501(c)(3) 50000 0 Panama Amphibian Conservation Univ of California-Davis 1089 Veterinary Medicine Dr Davis CA 95616 946036494 501(c)(3) 45000 0 Sea Turtle Conservation - Argentina White Oak Conservation Center 581705 White Oak Road Yulee FL 32097 260035224 501(c)(3) 20000 0 Conservation Partnership Wildlife Conservation Network 209 Mississippi Street San Francisco CA 94107 300108469 501(c)(3) 164831 0 Support Niassa Lion Project Wildlife Guardians PO Box 9641 Washington DC 20016 364712624 501(c)(3) 41233 0 Operating Support 19 0 Conservation research support 4 31343 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 to 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 that they provide periodic reports of activities. X X X X false true false false false false false false false false Kristin Finney VP HR 139639 168 5592 8758 154157 Lee Ehmke CEO 423885 200 2624 5572 432281 Leslie Forestier VP Finance 170493 200 6828 9107 186628 Mark Van Wickler Dir Exhibit Design 200241 159 6244 5614 212258 Roberto Espinosa VP Development 159915 159 5019 9107 174200 Sheryl Kolasinski COO 235000 160 7643 5614 248417 X 12 3630973 NYSE X Auction items 62 75854 FMV X Food/Gift cards 13 85426 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 we ask the directors and officers of the Zoo 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 top management officials and key employees is determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The Committee reviews both comparable salaries for similar positions listed on other organizations' 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 individuals described in question 15b. Form 990, Part VI, Line 19: Other Organization Documents Publicly Available These documents are provided upon request. Other Changes In Net Assets Or Fund Balances - Other Decreases Audit adjustment due to adoption of ASU 2016-14 = -$3330535