Be Green!

Energy Conservation: From the Zoo to Your Home

Energy Conservation: From the Phoenix Zoo to Your Home

The Phoenix Zoo is an organization that strives to conserve resources! The new Arthur L. "Bud" Johnson and Elaine V. Johnson Animal Conservation Center, that was unveiled April 9, 2007, was built with a low impact on resources in mind. Decorative walls were made from recycled concrete from an old Zoo exhibit, and installation was done largely by volunteer groups, such as local Boy Scout troops.

In addition, SRP has donated a 10- kilowatt solar power system on the Conservation Center to offset its energy usage. The system (valued at more than $125, 000) was funded by SRP's EarthWise Energy Program, which encourages customers to pay a small premium above their monthly electric bill to fund renewable-energy projects.

Alternative Energy

As much as possible we’re incorporating alternative energy sources into our operations.

• Our Conservation Center has a 10-kilowatt solar power system donated by SRP to offset its energy usage.
• The upcoming C.W. Modene Neely Education and Events Center will have a solar power system also donated by SRP and plans are underway to include solar power in our Staff & Volunteer Headquarters.
• We participate in SRP's Earth Wise Energy Program, which encourages customers to pay a small premium above their monthly electric bill to fund renewable-energy projects. Our Endangered Species Carousel and all of Zoolights are powered by Earth Wise Energy.

Additional Conservation Efforts

We have been working over the last few years to convert all 3 million of the lights used for Zoolights to LED which use up to 90% less energy than traditional lights.

We also are working to install energy efficient appliances in all of our buildings including hand dryers in our restroom facilities and all appliances in our newest buildings including the Black-footedFerretBreedingCenter and Orang-Hutan: People of the Forest.

 

Water Conservation

• Our mister systems, which help cool our animals and our guests, are connected to either thermostats or timers so that they are only in use when they are needed.
• By changing the heads and installing motion sensors at Yakulla Caverns and Leapin Lagoon, we’ve been able to reduce the amount of water used at these popular attractions by over 30%.
• Our new C.W. Modene Neely Education and Event Center will have rainwater catchments to help us water the landscape around the building.
• We’ve installed water saving nozzles on all of our hoses to help save water while cleaning.
• Any water issues (such as broken sprinkler heads) are considered emergency and fixed immediately so that we can minimize water loss.
• We work to use the most efficient means to water our landscape as we can.
• Low flow urinals installed in many of the bathrooms.
• Some future plans include investigating more rainwater and gray water capture to use for our landscaping.
• We have been working to remove all non-native palms and replacing them with native or drought resistant trees – more shade and less water use.

 

You Can Also Conserve Energy within Your Own Home
Try these ten simple tips to cool you down!

• Close your curtains during the day to keep heat out.
• Adjust your thermostat. By increasing the thermostat by one degree in the summer and decreasing it one degree in the winter, you can cut ten percent off of your electricity bill
• Replace light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights. They use up to 75 percent less electricity.
• Turn off computers, printers, copiers, etc. when not in use.
• Put lids on pans while cooking.
• Only wash full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher, and avoid using the dry cycle on the dishwasher.
• Use a slow cooker – it doesn’t add heat to the house while cooking.
• Newer models of washing machines, and most detergents, can effectively clean clothes in cold water.
• Use an outdoor barbeque grill instead of the oven during warm months.
• Turn your water heater thermostat down to 120 degrees.