In the modern economy, environmental sustainability is one factor in how businesses can stand out and thrive. Each month, the Salt Lake Chamber will highlight a Utah business making positive strides for the environment and our natural resources to encourage support and innovation.
Our feature, Utah’s Hogle Zoo, embraces sustainability with green practices like reducing plastics, electric vehicle infrastructure for staff and guests, recycling, water conservation and participating in Seafood Watch, fostering a healthier environment for all. We spoke with Tori Bird, Conservation Action Coordinator, to learn more about their sustainability efforts.
When did Utah’s Hogle Zoo start focusing on sustainability? Where did your inspiration come from?
In 2002, we learned we were among the state’s highest water users, which spurred us to align our operations with our conservation mission. Following a comprehensive water audit, we made impactful changes, such as replacing grassy areas with water-wise plants, installing efficient drip irrigation and switching to substrates in animal exhibits to minimize hose cleaning.
Our diverse water usage required tailored solutions and by addressing specific needs across our facility, we significantly reduced consumption. Advanced ozone filtration systems were also implemented for our largest water exhibits, allowing us to recycle 100% of the water for habitats like Rocky Shores, saving over 100,000 gallons annually.
These efforts led to a 65% water reduction by 2019, and as of 2023, we exceeded our goals by saving an additional 8 million gallons. Recognizing that sustainability actions are integral to conservation, we strive to inspire the million guests we host annually to adopt sustainable practices in their own lives. Through our work, we aim to protect the environments vital to the animals we care for, both in our care and in the wild, while also preserving resources for future generations.
How do you encourage sustainability amongst your employees and customers?
Most people who want to work at Hogle Zoo are already passionate about sustainability and conservation due to its impact on animals and the environment. To align staff with the zoo’s mission, new employees go through an orientation that includes Green Guided Standards outlining daily actions for sustainability. Each department conducts internal audits to address its unique needs and the zoo provides support in implementing tailored actions.
Additionally, staff members participate in programs like the Climate Alliance with Polar Bears International in Churchill, Manitoba, where they learn how to communicate climate science effectively and share that knowledge with colleagues and guests.
What advice would you give to other businesses wanting to improve their sustainability efforts?
Sustainability can feel overwhelming, but the most effective approach is to focus on one key area where you can make the biggest difference. This could be anything from water conservation and waste reduction to energy efficiency and responsible sourcing. By concentrating your efforts, you’ll avoid “sustainability fatigue” and achieve meaningful progress. Start small, achieve big. Once you’ve made headway in one area, you can expand your efforts to others. Crucially, begin by educating your staff about the global and institutional importance of sustainability, fostering their buy-in. This empowers them to become champions of these practices, both internally and when interacting with guests.
Do you have a simple strategy to be sustainable in your own life?
A practical and accessible starting point for sustainability is reducing the use of single-use plastics. This is an area we prioritize at the zoo, and personally, I’ve found that a gradual approach is most effective. By focusing on one area at a time, such as cosmetics, then the kitchen, and so on, the transition becomes manageable and sustainable. Looking back, this incremental approach has resulted in a significant reduction in my personal waste and a positive contribution to environmental conservation.
What does the future hold for Hogle Zoo’s sustainability initiatives?
As Hogle Zoo looks to the future, sustainability will remain a core focus of our operations. We are committed to water conservation, with a goal of reducing water consumption by about 2% each year to reach under 25 million gallons by 2028. After that, we will strive to maintain annual water use at this level.
To support these efforts, all new construction projects will incorporate advanced HVAC, irrigation and electric infrastructure, ensuring we uphold high sustainability standards as technology evolves. Additionally, we will continue working to reduce waste production and divert as much as possible from landfills.
Our long-term goal is to use no more water annually than our 2017 benchmark of 39 million gallons. To further strengthen our impact, we will seek partnerships to enhance sustainable operations and actively engage the larger Salt Lake Valley community in sustainability efforts.
To read other sustainability stories, click here.
