Zoos

Utica Zoo

www.uticazoo.org

99 Steele Hill Road
Utica, NY 13501
Phone: 315-738-0472

The Utica Zoo has served the Upstate New York region for over 95 years. Located in historic Roscoe Conkling Park, the Zoo is part of a recreational complex made possible by a donation of land from Thomas R. Proctor. Open to the public in 1914 with a small group of fallow deer donated by the New York Zoological Society, the collection has grown to over 200 animals representing species from around the world.

While popular as a family centered recreational facility, the Zoo is also an important part of the science education in school districts throughout the upstate New York region. Our Education Department has been chartered by the New York State Department of Education since 1966. By 1970, the department had experienced significant growth and the first full time Education Curator was hired. The formal Docent Program began in 1987 offering training to community members wishing to support the Zoo through donations of time and talent. Our popular “Summer Zoo Camp” program began in 1988. In response to public demand the program was expanded to include winter camp sessions. In 1990, the Zoo began hosting teacher in-services to support environmental education in the classroom. Initially funded by the Utica City School District’s Teacher’s Center, funding was transferred to the Utica City School District Science Magnet Program in 1993 forming an educational partnership with the Zoo to provide scientific and conservation education programming to students in the Science/Math Magnet School. Educational partnerships have grown to include; summer college intern programs, allowing college students working toward animal related degrees to have credit eligible, hands-on, real life experiences in their field of choice; and bridge programs at the high school level which allow students to begin their college careers before high school graduation by earning college credits through community partnerships.

In 2009 we touched over 25,000 learners with “closer to nature” camps and classes introducing thousands to the wonder of nature close to home. Our popular zoo on wheels, the “Zoomobile,” is recognized throughout the region as it visits schools, community centers and events. If you can’t come to the Zoo, the Zoo comes to you!

We strengthen relationships with supporters, both individual and business, as we continue to bring the upstate New York region a professional zoological facility to be proud of, offering safe, varied entertainment and educational opportunities that compliment formal educational programming and inspire the wonder of discovery within the natural world. There’s family fun for everyone at the Utica Zoo!