Zoo New England

Zoo New England (ZNE) will create an engagement program to better connect with and serve residents of Suffolk County, Massachusetts, where one of ZNE’s campuses, Franklin Park Zoo, is located. The initiative will target local families and school-age children and teens in underserved areas, including Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, and parts of Jamaica Plain. During the first year of this program, ZNE plans to identify at least 150 stakeholder organizations as partners. In subsequent phases, ZNE expects these organizations will bring 5,000–9,000 community residents into ZNE focus groups, community asset-mapping activities, and program surveys. ZNE then will solicit feedback from these residents regarding ZNE program strategies, planning, and success indicators. Finally, ZNE will begin pilot programs, sharing results and gathering feedback from community members. By engaging with its community, ZNE will be able to respond to community needs following the COVID-19 pandemic quickly, effectively, efficiently, and responsibly.