2017-12-01T08:29:32-08:00 2016-12-31 Blazek & Vetterling 2900 Weslayan Suite 200 Houston TX 770275132 990 2016-01-01 741590271 Houston Zoo Inc HOUS 7135336501 1513 Cambridge Houston TX 77030 Lee Ehmke President & CEO 2017-12-01 true Jody Blazek P00072674 7134395739 X 2016 2017-02-10 21:41:12Z Lee Ehmke 1513 N MacGregor Houston TX 77030 81994044 false false X www.houstonzoo.org X 1920 TX We strive to be a zoo that practices exemplary animal care, delivers an outstanding guest experience, creates a workplace that instills respect and teamwork, provides learning opportunities, promotes conservation awareness, and inspires community support. 31 31 607 1367 0 14246988 16879194 35223142 37887180 1013956 1474016 -123868 -7468 50360218 56232922 1733382 2574636 0 22994555 24289822 77009 84104 3896791 18428467 21512613 43233413 48461175 7126805 7771747 142244213 151219434 4760767 6772280 137483446 144447154 Connect communities with animals, inspring action to save wildlife. false false 36713753 11084 37082090 Aspiring to be one of the best zoos in the country, the Houston Zoo is focused on ensuring that visitors from both within and outside the Houston area, feel like they have been as close to the wild as they can get. The Houston Zoo's animal care team, Conservation Education Department, Zoo Rangers, and our Guest Relations personnel lead this effort.The Zoo's animal keepers are among the best in the nation, providing uncompromising excellence in animal care as well as world class guest experiences. During this reporting period, the Houston Zoo conducted over 2,000 Meet the Keeper Talks, approximately 400 behind-the-scenes tours, and more than 1,000 other personal animal experiences for our guests, representing more than 3,900 hours of keeper staff time.Providing diverse learning experiences, the Houston Zoo's Education Department promotes connections with the natural world, empowering our guests to inquire, act, and conserve. During this reporting period, the Houston Zoo's Education Department personnel conducted interpretive programs on the grounds reaching approximately 70,000 participants.Zoo Rangers maintain a constant presence on Zoo grounds, providing a myriad of services. The primary function of the highly knowledgeable Zoo Rangers is to engage Zoo guests and provide information about Zoo operations, exhibits and animals. Collectively in 2016, Zoo Rangers provided more than 45,000 hours of on-grounds guest service. 3766515 2563552 The Houston Zoos Wildlife Conservation Program was initiated in 2004 to facilitate leadership in conservation efforts related to the survival of threatened wildlife, the wise use of natural resources, and the appreciation of our natural world. As of fiscal year 2016, we currently support 34 projects in 18 countries around the world including the U.S.. Accordingly, the Houston Zoo has committed 3% of its annual operating budget to support this program, which compares favorably with other zoos, most of which do not make such substantial commitments to conservation from their operating budget.The Houston Zoo recognizes the need to work both close to home, supporting a number of wildlife reintroduction projects right here in Texas, and across the globe where we support critical efforts to support elephant, cheetah, rhino and chimpanzee conservation efforts. These programs quite often focus as much on the human communities. We believe conservation is not just about saving species but about improving the lives of the local communities so they see the benefits of sustainable harvesting. Holistic programs that have economic incentives and cultural sensitivity are the only way that local communities will buy into conservation initiatives.Through partnerships with local, national, and international conservation agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), such as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Texas Nature Conservancy, and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Houston Zoo actively participates in programs designed to protect both animals and their natural habitats worldwide. 1509212 805090 Each year, the Zoo welcomes hundreds of thousands of students to explore the Zoo on field trips. The Zoo's conservation education programs serve thousands of people through family programs, early childhood, summer and school break camps, overnight programs, and on-grounds interpretative experiences.School field Trips (1/1 - 12/31/16)Total Persons Served: 134,133Conservation Education Programs (1/1 - 12/31/16)Total Persons Served: 21,339On-grounds interpretive programs (1/1 12/31/16)Total participants reached: 78,807The ZooMobile and its team of experienced staff travel to schools and community events throughout the Houston area providing a unique and educational experience to a variety of audiences. These engaging events allow participants to come eye to eye with fascinating ambassador animals, engage with Zoo Educators and be inspired to change behaviors that will ultimately help animals in the wild. This community outreach program brings the Zoo to audiences who are unable to visit including events at schools, libraries, hospitals and parks.ZooMobile programs (1/1 - 12/31/16)Total Persons Served: 12,303 41989480 true true false false false false false true true true true false false false false false true false false false true true true true true false false true true true false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false true 172 0 true 607 true false false false false false false true true false 0 false false false false false false false false false false X 31 31 false false false false false true false true true false false true true true true true true true true false X X Leslie Forestier 7135336750 1513 Cambridge Houston TX 77030 Stacy Methvin Board Chair 4.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Cullen Geiselman Vice Chair 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Roxanne Almaraz Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Philip Bahr Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Monica Benton Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Joe Cleary Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Roberto Conteras Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Joshua Davidson Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Joe Dilg Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Jeff Dudderar Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Robert Edwards Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Jenny Elkins Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Kat Gallagher Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Amy Garrou Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Marty Goossen Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Robert Graham Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Winell Herron Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Gillian Hobson Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Tandra Jackson Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Jill Jewett Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Peggy Kostial Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Neal Manne Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Bruce Niemeyer Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Suzanne Nimocks Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Sara Ortwein Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Jim Postl Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Brent Smolik Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Steve Trauber Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Molly Voorhees Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Randa Duncan Williams Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Austin Young Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Lee Ehmke CEO 40.00 0.00 X 445539 0 16738 Leslie Forestier CFO 40.00 0.00 X 175136 0 12754 David Brady VP 40.00 0.00 X 268775 0 24213 Chris Lyons COO 40.00 0.00 X 219448 0 9148 Roberto Espinosa VP of Development 40.00 0.00 X 153788 0 15374 Ronnie Pendergrass Dir Facilities 40.00 0.00 X 153633 0 15389 Kevin Pope Dir Safety Oper 40.00 0.00 X 142994 0 10429 Mark Van Wickler Dir Exhibit Design 40.00 0.00 X 192771 0 16678 Peter Riger VP Consvtion/Edu 40.00 0.00 X 137702 0 11609 1889786 132332 19 false true false WS Bellows Corporation 1906 Afton Street Houston TX 77055 Construction service 4558275 Forney Construction LLC 8945 Long Point Road Suite 200 Houston TX 77005 Construction service 3742550 Sodexo Inc PO Box 536922 Atlanta GA 30353 Event catering svc 1278413 Strike Marketing 906 Rutland Street Houston TX 77008 Advertising 768032 PowerLane LLC 1945 E Canterbury St Springfield MO 65804 Construction 664697 29 7293169 1794115 25184 7766726 676882 16879194 Admission fees 900099 15474111 15474111 City management fee 561499 9634482 9634482 Concessions 722210 3435767 3435767 Educ. progr. & events 611600 9342820 9342820 37887180 603974 603974 0 0 0 26076336 500 25206794 869542 500 870042 870042 546860 1794115 554328 -7468 -7468 0 0 0 56232922 37887180 1466548 1449187 1449187 96300 96300 1029149 1029149 0 1171750 477833 437127 256790 0 18487586 16271722 638288 1577576 529841 468920 20916 40005 2640656 2295721 96689 248246 1459989 1266620 64573 128796 0 18146 15410 1495 1241 53413 1650 51763 0 84104 84104 50525 50525 4038266 3402158 417942 218166 1151640 1126718 17330 7592 1120687 594440 21627 504620 854679 254634 450209 149836 0 1182747 1149224 24398 9125 455077 391698 33186 30193 0 302188 199249 1387 101552 1448 1448 0 7432171 7432171 559976 323153 236823 Supplies 2392313 2278386 8830 105097 Printing and Publications 677398 251821 1040 424537 Grounds/Events 676317 676317 Equipment expense 392627 389551 756 2320 152995 146000 6995 48461175 41989480 2574904 3896791 13493881 13500246 8967725 8967725 6410972 6161814 554242 520469 0 0 0 163704 162491 816501 890217 143614701 40994646 95071245 102620055 16765943 18396417 0 0 0 0 142244213 151219434 3286619 5523857 206992 564451 364534 143705 883889 559000 4760767 6772280 X 125417040 128877100 8553888 12052050 3512518 3518004 137483446 144447154 142244213 151219434 7771747 -808039 X false true X true false X 23642927 20816248 17969911 14246988 16879194 93555268 0 0 23642927 20816248 17969911 14246988 16879194 93555268 9961397 83593871 562483 614867 616733 666304 603974 3064361 0 0 96619629 162427941 0.86520 0.87430 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X X X X false false true X 9253968 1054000 598621 31704 49130 10825755 9343383 22532 -7048 29687 75212 9253968 8394467 466768 590197 32485 75564 9343383 7224721 4225 1236300 4148 66631 8394467 4866268 1925545 485419 3000 49511 7224721 0.49840 0.32500 0.17660 false false false 124375018 35068253 89306765 10837715 5926393 4911322 8401968 8401968 102620055 55561055 -808039 186697 -621342 56182397 50525 50525 56232922 48597347 186697 186697 48410650 50525 50525 48461175 Part III, Line 1a: If organization elected under SFAS 116 to not report are, historical treasures, o In accordance with industry practice, the Houston Zoo does not capitalize animal and horticultural collections; acquisitions are reported as expenditures in the period of acquisition. The Houston Zoo is responsible for the health and welfare of its animal and horticultural collections. The Houston Zoo maintains records of its collections and any exchanges with other organizations. Under the direction of the Board of Directors, the President, and the curatorial staff, collections continue to be cared for, used, and expanded. In 2016 and 2015, the Houston Zoo expended approximately $91,000 and $132,000, respectively, to expand its collections.In an ongoing commitment to enhance worldwide reproduction and conservation of animals, the Houston Zoo exchanges animals with other organizations. Consistent with industry practice, the Houston Zoo does not record any liability for such exchange arrangements as generally these arrangements are without monetary consideration. Part III, Line 4: Description of organization's collections and how it furthers its purpose. The Houston Zoo is a conservation, education, and recreation organization dedicated to the reproduction, protection, and exhibition of animals in their habitats. The Houston Zoo provides a fun, unique and inspirational experience fostering appreciation, knowledge and care for the natural world. Part IV, Line 2b: Explanation of escrow account liability At 12/31/16 the Zoo held funds on behalf of two conservation organizations. Funds were held for Human Wildlife Conflict Collaboration during its start up phase. The Zoo also held funds on behalf of Ratel Trust/Niassa Lions until an account could be set up in Mauritius. Part V, Line 4: Intended uses of the endowment fund. To support programs and facility in accordance with restrictions. true East Asia/Pacific 0 0 Program Conservation 125200 Sub-Saharan Africa 0 0 Program Conservation 553790 Cntl America/Caribbean 0 0 Program Conservation 8212 Europe 0 0 Program Conservation 181564 South America 0 0 Program Conservation 160383 1029149 1029149 Central America See Part V 6812 Wire E Asia/Pacific See Part V 5000 Wire E Asia/Pacific See Part V 50000 Wire E Asia/Pacific See Part V 57500 Wire Europe See Part V 125000 Wire Europe See Part V 14635 Wire Europe See Part V 5000 Wire South America See Part V 14200 Wire South America See Part V 80240 Wire Sub-Sah Africa See Part V 249000 Wire Sub-Sah Africa See Part V 27800 Wire Sub-Sah Africa See Part V 56000 Wire Sub-Sah Africa See Part V 65000 Wire Sub-Sah Africa See Part V 90500 Wire 14 Conservation support East Asia/Pacific 2 12700 Wire transfer Conservation support Europe 1 34613 Wire transfer Conservation support South America 1 65000 Wire transfer Conservation support Sub-Sah Africa 1 35000 Wire transfer false false false false false false Part I, Line 2 - Grantmakers Explanation For Monitoring Use of Funds Outside US The Houston Zoo's selection standards for awarding grants are based on our mission statement goals and long term development of regional programs We do not solicit proposals nor do we have a formal process for receiving and evaluating grant requests. Instead we actively seek out projects that fit with the guidelines of the Zoo's Wildlife Conservation Program. See Part III, Line 4b. We then meet with the researchers to see how well they would fit with our zoo. We never spend much money up front until we are satisfied that they will communicate and interact with the zoo (web, media, reports, speaker requests, articles, etc.) and their program is sustainable over the next 1-3 years we intend to partner with them. We monitor their progress through periodic site visits where practicable and request that they provide periodic reports of activities. X X X X X X X true Sterling Assoc 55 Waugh Dr601 Houston TX 77007 Centennial campaign false 84104 84104 TX Zoo Ball 1212891 928566 284325 105351 86759 49719 144424 Conserv Gala 1128084 865549 262535 53638 77495 3969 32973 2340975 1794115 546860 158989 164254 53688 177397 554328 -7468 true Americans for Oxford Inc 500 Fifth Avenue 32nd Floor New York NY 10110 521495060 501(c)(3) 23289 0 Ruaha Carnivore Project Association Zoos & Aquariums 3314 8403 Colesville Rd 710 Silver Spring MD 20910 550526930 501(c)(3) 50000 0 Operating Support Baylor College of Medicine One Baylor Plaza Houston TX 77030 741613878 501(c)(3) 25901 0 Research EEHV Conservation Breeding Group 12101 Johnny Cake Ridge Road Apple Valley MN 55124 411719362 501(c)(3) 10000 0 IUCN SSC Conservation Ecology Project International 315 S 4th St E Missoula MT 59801 912163952 501(c)(3) 22700 0 Galapagos Educational Program Giraffe Conservation Fdn USA PO Box 24246 Cleveland OH 44124 812749463 501(c)(3) 7500 0 Operating Support Gorilla Rehabilitation & Ctr PO Box 334 Cumberland ME 04021 462308758 501(c)(3) 83000 0 GRACE Vet Support International Elephant Fdn PO BOX 366 Azle TX 76098 752815706 501(c)(3) 20000 0 Operating Support International Rhino Fdn 201 Main Street Suite 2600 Fort Worth TX 76102 752395006 501(c)(3) 175000 0 Support Lowveld Rhino Trust Program Jane Goodall Institute 4245 North Fairfax Dr 600 Vienna VA 22182 942474731 501(c)(3) 10000 0 Tchimpongou Reserve Project Johns Hopkins University 733 North Broadway St 117 Baltimore MD 21205 520595110 501(c)(3) 91511 0 Research EEHV Lincoln Park Zoo 2001 N Clark Street Chicago IL 60614 362512404 501(c)(3) 25000 0 Goualougo Triangle Ape Project MarAlliance 3321 El Sobrante Street San Mateo CA 94403 464381820 501(c)(3) 21500 0 Marine Conservation Minnesota Zoo 13000 Zoo Blvd Apple Valley MN 55124 510147653 501(c)(3) 135000 0 Malaysian Tiger Conservation Prgm Mountain Gorilla Veterinary 1876 Mansion Drive Baltimore MD 21217 061752363 501(c)(3) 131945 0 Operating Support Vet Training Okapi Conservation Project 1615 Riverside Avenue Jacksonville FL 32204 260035224 501(c)(3) 15000 0 Operating Support Smithsonian Institution 1500 Remount Road Front Royal VA 22630 530206027 501(c)(3) 60000 0 Research Amphibian Conservation Turtle Survival Alliance 1989 Colonial Parkway Fort Worth TX 76110 200785702 501(c)(3) 31000 0 Conservation of Painted Terrapin UC Davis One Shields Avenue Davis CA 95616 946036494 501(c)(3) 20000 0 Sea Turtle Conservation Program White Oak Conservation Center 581705 White Oak Road Yulee FL 32097 260035224 501(c)(3) 15000 0 EWCL Partnership Wildlife Conservation Network 209 Mississippi Street San Francisco CA 94107 300108469 501(c)(3) 303367 0 Support Niassa Lion Project Wildlife Guardians 110 Stewart Avenue Alexandria VA 22301 364712624 501(c)(3) 152000 0 Support Ruaha Carnivore Project 22 0 Conservation research support 2 96300 Grantmaker's Description of How Grants are Used The Houston Zoo's selection standards for awarding grants are based on our mission statement goals and long term development of regional programs. We do not solicit proposals nor do we have a formal process for receiving and evaluating grant requests. Instead we actively seek out projects that fit in with the areas of interest to the Zoo's leadership and staff. We then meet with the researchers to see how well they would fit with our zoo. We never spend much money up front until we are satisfied that they will communicate and interact with the zoo (web, media, reports, speaker requests, articles, etc.) and their program is sustainable over the next 1-3 years we intend to partner with them. We monitor their progress through periodic site visits where practicable and request that they provide periodic reports of activities. X X X X false true false false false false false false false false Chris Lyons COO 214192 5256 2810 6338 228596 David Brady VP 248621 20154 9578 14635 292988 Kevin Pope Dir Safety Oper 139337 3657 4290 6139 153423 Lee Ehmke CEO 415385 30154 10400 6338 462277 Leslie Forestier CFO 169984 5152 6547 6207 187890 Mark Van Wickler Dir Exhibit Design 191114 1657 5783 10895 209449 Roberto Espinosa VP of Development 145131 8657 4613 10761 169162 Ronnie Pendergrass Dir Facilities 151476 2157 4609 10780 169022 X 5 391990 NYSE X Event Supplies 22 152995 FMV X Auction items 41 131897 FMV false true false Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b: Form 990 Review Process The Form 990 is reviewed by the CEO and the CFO. Once reviewed internally, the Form is reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee. A copy of the Form is provided to each Board member prior to filing with the IRS. Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c: Explanation of Monitoring and Enforcement of Conflicts The Zoo's Board of Directors has a conflict of interest policy to ensure that both the Zoo and its directors and officers are protected from concerns of conflict of interest. The policy asks the directors and officers to disclose their relationship with other organizations or people that might give rise to a situation in which the officer or director would be subject to criticism for a conflict. Each year we ask the directors and officers of the Zoo to complete and file a form with the Zoo to meet this requirement. The Chairperson of the Audit Committee is responsible for the oversight process and the Chairperson of the Board of Directors is responsible for addressing any conflicts that may be disclosed in the process. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15a: Compensation Review & Approval Process - CEO, Top Management The compensation of top management officials and key employees is determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The Committee reviews both comparable salaries for similar positions listed on other organizations' 990s as well as comparable position salaries in the American Zoological Association Salary Survey. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15b: Compensation Review and Approval Process for Officers and Key Employees See above for process followed for individuals described in question 15b. Form 990, Part VI, Line 19: Other Organization Documents Publicly Available These documents are provided upon request.