The NEW Zoological Society announced today that it has been awarded a grant from the Green Bay Packers Foundation as part of the Foundation’s annual grant cycle. The grant will be used to support the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park’s ambassador animal welfare and educational programming.
The NEW Zoo’s Education Department interacts with tens of thousands of people annually through a wide variety of programs and encounters that connect people to animals and nature through engaging, interactive experiences. Dozens of Ambassador Animals participate in these programs, including reptiles like lizards, turtles, tortoises, and snakes; mammals such as armadillos, chinchillas, rabbits, and tenrecs; as well as several types of amphibians, invertebrates, and birds. The Zoo strives to inspire empathy for these animals as guests meet them, ultimately fostering an appreciation for wildlife and wild places.
The grant will help the Zoological Society provide enriching elements for zoo ambassador animals to enjoy during program experiences, allowing them to move and explore, and to better demonstrate natural behaviors to zoo guests, such as climbing, crawling, playing, and more. The Zoo Crew is excited to introduce these enriching elements to the animals and to see them enjoyed by both the animals and zoo guests.
The NEW Zoological Society is one of 402 nonprofit organizations throughout Wisconsin that have received a grant through this year’s annual grant cycle, which has awarded more than $1.6 million to charitable and civic groups statewide. This year, the Foundation focused on awarding grants to organizations that will use the funds for programs or projects that address animal welfare, homelessness and human services.
The Green Bay Packers Foundation issues grants each year to nonprofit organizations throughout the state of Wisconsin, awarding grants in a four-year cycle. With these disbursements, the Foundation has distributed more than $33 million for charitable purposes since it was established in 1986.
All grant applications are reviewed by the Green Bay Packers Foundation Trustees. More information about the Packers Foundation and the annual grants process is available at packers.com/foundation.
About the NEW Zoological Society: The NEW Zoological Society, Inc. is an independent organization that supports a Northeastern Wisconsin educationally oriented, accredited zoological facility (NEW Zoo), which presents animals in natural settings. As a nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization, the Society seeks to involve the community through financial and in-kind support, for capital improvements of the properties and related projects.
About the Green Bay Packers Foundation: The Green Bay Packers Foundation annual grant program is part of Green Bay Packers Give Back, the Packers’ all-encompassing community outreach initiative. Packers Give Back includes the Foundation’s annual and impact grants, appearances by players, alumni, coaches and staff, cash and in-kind donations, community events, Make-A-Wish visits, football outreach and much more. These efforts contribute to a comprehensive Packers charity impact that was in excess of $15 million last year.
