The Chicago Zoological Society is a private, non-profit corporation whose mission is to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people to wildlife and nature. We operate under the premise that the decisions we make as individuals and as a society regarding the natural world will have a profound impact on our future and that of our children. Through our Center for Conservation Leadership and Center for the Science of Animal Welfare, we work to deepen people's relationship with nature and equip them with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to take positive conservation action and to inspire others to do so. The Society pursues its important mission through its management of the award-winning Brookfield Zoo for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and through its community and field-based programs in animal care, education, science and research, both here and abroad. Brookfield Zoo, a prime Chicagoland leisure destination, is also one of the world's top zoos, hosting 2 million visitors each year and proud to have one of the largest number of member households amongst cultural institutions in Chicagoland.
The Chicago Zoological Society has been integral in shaping the way zoos around the world have changed. Recognizing the need for people to develop more sustainable relationships with nature, the Society has become a leading conservation center for the community, and its evolution can be seen in the dramatic changes in the park, exhibits, animal care, education programs, research, and more. Our core institutional values--People, Results, Innovation, Diversity, and Enthusiasm, or "PRIDE"--are emphasized in all aspects of our operations. Through our commitment to these values and our prudent use of resources, the Chicago Zoological Society has established a leadership role as a conservation center with a superior quality of service for the community we serve.
