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2016
Annual Report
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The mission of Nashville Zoo is
to inspire a culture of understanding
and discovery of our natural world
through conservation, innovation
and leadership.
CONTENTS
2
3
Year at a Glance
Notes from Board Chair & Zoo President
5Leadership
6
New in 2016
10 Conservation & Sustainability
20 Animal Births & Additions
26
28
Veterinary Animal Care
Ambassador Animal Programs
30
Education
36
Events & Fundraisers
39
Group Sales & Social Events
40 Community Engagement
42 Volunteers, Employees & Interns
44 Attendance & Membership
45 Financial Report
46 Grow Wild
52 Sunset Safari
54 Donor Society
56 Cumulative Giving
64
Photo Credits
2 |
Year at a Glance
YEAR AT A GLANCE
10,000,000
guests since opening in 1997
894, 161
attendance in 2016
$500,000+
given to conservation this year
186,589
Ambassador Animal presentation attendees
97,000
Soaring Eagle rides
48,500+
Field Trip Students
33, 393
members
1,939
Ambassador Animal presentations
“100”
Charity Navigator score
Palawan Binturong, photo by: Joel Sartore / National Geographic Photo Ark
Notes from Board Chair & Zoo President |
DEAR FRIENDS,
What an exciting year 2016 was! The Nashville Zoo
made significant strides in its capital expansion
and improvement plans. In April, we celebrated
the successful completion and opening of the
new Entry Village with a Ticket Sales building, a
fantastic new Gift Shop, a Membership building,
office space and public restrooms. The complex
includes waterfalls, stunning landscaping and new
avian exhibits. We reached almost 900,000 visitors
(a record-high attendance) in 2016 and ended the
year in excellent financial health. The Nashville
Zoo has come a long way since its relocation to
Grassmere in 1997 twenty years ago!
From a board perspective, we are proud of
the outstanding leadership and passion of
our executive management team and their
experienced and dedicated staff.
The recognition the Zoo has received as a result
of their efforts is both impressive and deserved.
Charity Navigator, the “Good Housekeeping seal
of approval” for non-profits, gave the Nashville
Zoo a perfect score of 100 based on fiscal
responsibility and donor relations. The Zoo is one
of only 49 non-profits in the nation that received
a perfect score out of 8,000 non-profits evaluated
(no other zoo received this rating).
We also received the highest International
Conservation Award from the AZA (the Association
of Zoos and Aquariums), our accrediting
organization, for our work in the Democratic
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Republic of Congo with the GRACE Project (Gorilla
Rehabilitation and Conservation Education
Center), a gorilla rescue and survival facility.
ground on a new Veterinary Hospital, a new Animal
Ambassador Building and will expand our parking
to meet the needs of our growing attendance.
Our new Entry Village won a first place award
for Excellence in Construction from the Greater
Tennessee Chapter of the Associated Builders
and Contractors. The Tennessean’s Readers’
Choice Awards recognized the Nashville Zoo as
the “Best Regional Attraction in the Southeast” as
well as being the “Best Place to Take the Kids.”
The Nashville Zoo has many to thank for helping us
achieve our success. Thank you to the thousands
of donors who have supported our organization,
to our elected officials who have acknowledged
our importance in the community and to the
almost 900,000 of you who visited the Zoo in
2016.
One of our important board goals for
the organization moving forward is to be
recognized by the Nashville community for our
conservation efforts. A new tagline you will see
on Zoo communications is about our Wild Works
program, which states our commitment to global
and local conservation through research, habitat
protection, breeding programs and education
initiatives. The Zoo is involved in multiple initiatives
throughout the world and here at home. You will
get a glimpse of these projects in the following
pages. The successful efforts of our research
teams are internationally recognized and serve as
an inspiration to us all.
We look forward to the coming years and can’t wait
to share our continuing progress with you! Please
visit often so you can experience the excitement
of our 20th Anniversary year at Grassmere as we
grow and evolve from our wonderful “city” zoo
into a world-class one.
Looking forward, 2017 promises to be another
record year for the Nashville Zoo. We will open
four new animal exhibits: Mexican Spider Monkey,
Southern White Rhinoceros, Andean Bear and
Sumatran Tiger, all of which are endangered or
threatened species. In addition, we will break
Julie W. Walker
Board Chair
4 | Notes from Board Chair & Zoo President
DEAR FRIENDS,
The past year was a hectic one for Nashville Zoo
as we managed multiple construction projects
and completed the successful openings of new
attractions and facilities. While construction was
evident throughout the property, behind the
scenes our team continued to make great strides
in our support of conservation programs around
the world, researching and learning more each
day about the world we live in and how we can
improve our impact.
We continued our support of conservation and
research programs abroad in places like Peru,
Thailand, Brazil and places closer to home in
Tennessee. I am proud to say that in 2016
Nashville Zoo contributed over $500,000 to
conservation programs. This was the largest
monetary support of conservation programs in
the Zoo’s history. Our efforts were recognized
with a 2016 International Conservation Award
from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for
our involvement with gorilla rehabilitation and
research at the GRACE Center in the Democratic
Republic of Congo.
These are just a small portion of our team’s wildlife
preservation efforts and conservation research.
In the next few pages you will read about many
of these projects and get a look at the number of
projects and contributions Nashville Zoo makes
each year toward conservation efforts.
Early this year, we opened our new Entry Village.
Because of increasing annual attendance and the
need for improved guest amenities, we designed,
constructed and opened what we hope you will
think is one of the best zoo entrances in the
country. The African-themed entry provides
numerous guest amenities while providing the
operational support for continued attendance
growth through the coming years. And speaking
of attendance, we were fortunate to reach a new
annual attendance record of 894,161 guests.
Our visitors also witnessed the opening of our
new Soaring Eagle Zip Line and over 97,000 riders
were brave enough to give it a try.
As the year unfolded, we overcame construction
setbacks, tackled new challenges and continued
to prepare for an aggressive unveiling of multiple
new exhibits in 2017. We worked diligently to
implement new programs that will ultimately
provide a better guest experience and continued
to implement new programs that provide the
safest environment for our guests and employees.
We’ve worked closely with local leaders and
appreciate the strong support of our Board of
Directors and donors in helping us achieve the
growth this organization has experienced over
the years. Our Grow Wild campaign has raised the
funding for our newest and current projects and
we are excited to share them with the community
when they open in 2017. But there’s much more
coming! Our plans will take us beyond 2020 as
we strive to deliver one of the most unique and
exciting zoos in the country.
Thanks to the support of our community and the
patience they have shown while we continue to
prepare for these new zoo experiences, we’ve
been able to build something special and we
sincerely hope you will feel it has been worth the
wait.
Thank you to the employees who have worked
so diligently to help bring these visions to life.
And on behalf of those employees, thank you
to the donors, volunteers, local leaders and the
Nashville community for your continued support
of Nashville Zoo. We look forward to seeing you
in 2017!
Rick Schwartz
Zoo President
LEADERSHIP
Leadership |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Julie W. Walker – Chairman
Robin Patton – Immediate Past Chairman
Sheryl Rogers – Secretary
Kent Kirby – Treasurer
Chris Whitson – Legal Counsel
Cynthia Arnholt, Kelley Beaman, Kathryn Brown, Neely Coble,
Kevin Crumbo, Anne Davis, Laurie Eskind, Jennifer Frist, Carl Haley,
John Howard, Sarah Ingram, Jeff Jacobs, Daynise Joseph, David Manning,
Alex Marks, Richard McRae, Kimberly Williams Paisley, Brian Smallwood,
Butch Spyridon, McArthur VanOsdale
ADVISORY BOARD
George Armistead, Lee Beaman, Renée Chevalier, Kelly Crockett Crook,
Missy Eason, Rodes Hart, Jim Hunt, Jamie Jones, Art Laffer, Jim Littlejohn,
Tom Loventhal, Frank McGrew, Larry Papel, Dick Ragsdale,
Charles Sonnenberg, Abby Trotter, Jimmy Webb
ZOO EXECUTIVE TEAM
Rick Schwartz – Zoo President
Andy Tillman – Chief Operating Officer
Reagan Fairbairn – Chief Finance Officer
Suzanne Iler – Chief Development Officer
ZOO SENIOR MANAGEMENT
Greg Peccie – Director of Animal Operations
Joe deGraauw – Avian Curator
Dale McGinnity – Ectotherm Curator
Jacqueline Menish – Curator of Behavioral Husbandry
Dr. Heather Robertson – Director of Veterinary Services
Jim Bartoo – Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Chad Fifer – Director of Education
Jody Goodenow – Director of Human Resources
Jeffrie Hunter – Director of Facilities
Chris McBride – Director of Information Technology
Lori Pace – Director of Membership Services
Peter Thompson – Director of Guest Services
Kindell Williams – Director of Group Sales & Special Events
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6 | New in 2016
ENTRY VILLAGE
Due to tremendous growth and record-breaking attendance,
building the Zoo’s new Entry Village was a top priority to
heighten the guest experience. The new entrance opened
on April 9, and enhances the Zoo’s operations with dedicated
ticketing and membership buildings, a 4,200 square-foot
gift shop, restrooms, first aid, and private nursing rooms.
Exquisite attention to detail immerses guests in an African
village experience through visual details, the sounds of
Africa, and the diverse materials used in the construction
of the village.
STRUCTURES
A dedicated membership building was designed to
accommodate our rapidly growing member base with
four self-service kiosks and three cashier stations where
Member Service Associates process orders and answer
members’ questions.
The new ticketing building is intended to handle larger
crowds at a faster pace with six ticket windows, one being
handicap accessible.
Before entering the Zoo, guests can rent a variety of strollers
and wheelchairs from our new rental building.
Zawadi Market Gift Shop offers a variety of emblematic Zoo,
animal and culturally-inspired merchandise from major
national brands as well as fair-trade goods from artisans
around the world. The unique interior design of Zawadi
Market has also earned retail industry recognition.
AMENITIES
Entry Village includes new public restroom facilities. In the
men’s restroom guests are greeted by two Boelen’s pythons
living in a special animal exhibit. A handicap accessible
family restroom and two private nursing rooms help to
accommodate the many families visiting the Zoo. The Zoo’s
security office also calls Entry Village home.
ENTERING THE ZOO
Guests enter through impressive gates decorated with
dragon wood, following a boardwalk over a landscaped
waterfall. Railings, created using more than four miles of
rope, line the boardwalk guiding guests past the hyacinth
macaw and Stanley crane exhibits and into the Zoo.
ACCOLADES
Entry Village won an award for Excellence in Construction
from the Greater Tennessee Chapter of the Associated
Builders and Contractors.
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mph
110’
altitude
1170’
round trip
SOARING EAGLE ZIP LINE
Nashville Zoo’s new family friendly zip line ride took off on March 18 and has
shown more than 97,000 riders a new view of the Zoo (and the downtown
skyline!). The ride leaves you breathless as you glide through the skies above
the Zoo. The Soaring Eagle is the only ride of its kind in Middle Tennessee.
Riders are able to view the Zoo’s African Savannah, Historic Home, Festival
Field and Gibbon Islands.
With the opening of Soaring Eagle, the Zoo launched a new membership
add-on, the Unlimited Rides Pass. This benefit offers unlimited rides for
a year on the carousel, train and zip line to members who upgrade their
membership to include the Unlimited Rides Pass. This new offering has
done exceptionally well in its first year with more than 5,100 Unlimited Ride
Passes sold to members.
New in 2016 |
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10 |
Nashville Zoo is committed to global
and local conservation through
research, habitat protection, breeding
programs and education initiatives.
In 2016, the Zoo introduced the Wild Works Global Conservation program as a way to better
communicate and educate the general public about our conservation efforts. Nashville Zoo is actively
engaged in conservation projects around the world sending experienced animal care staff to places
like Thailand, Haiti, Brazil and Peru to conduct research and field work. At Nashville Zoo, more than a
dozen endangered species are successfully bred as part of a nation-wide Species Survival Program.
The Zoo’s on-site research projects are revealing new ways to help slow the decline of rare animals
like red pandas, giant anteaters, the Haitian galliwasp, hellbenders and clouded leopards. In addition,
green initiatives like recycling stations, biodegradable food containers and composting lighten the
Zoo’s environmental footprint. When Nashville Zoo can’t be actively involved, many efforts are made
through financial support.
Conservation |
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FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Annually, Nashville Zoo contributes proceeds gained from our supporters to a
wide array of incredible efforts organized by other environmental protection
programs. This year, the Zoo contributed more money than any previous year
in our history. Over $500,000 was given to help fund conservation efforts
around the globe. This is over 4% of the Zoo’s annual earnings.
MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS IN 2016 INCLUDED:
Andean Bear Conservation Alliance
Bat Conservation International
Caribbean Wildlife Alliance
Supporting Puerto Rican Crested Toad
conservation
Cheetah Conservation Fund
Clouded Leopard Consortium
Duke Lemur Center
Giant Anteater Project
Supporting efforts in Brazil
Giraffe Conservation Foundation
Gorilla Rehabilitation and
Conservation Education
International Rhino Foundation
Supporting efforts in Zimbabwe
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Supporting elephant conservation
Lowland Tapir Conservation Initiative
Supporting efforts in Brazil
Minnesota Zoo Foundation
Supporting tiger conservation
Proyecto Titi
Supporting Cotton-top Tamarin conservation
Rainforest Awareness Rescue
Education Center
Supporting Amazonian manatee conservation
Save Vietnam’s Wildlife
Supporting pangolin conservation
Sia
Supporting eagle conservation
Turtle Survival Alliance
Wildlife Conservation Global
Supporting okapi conservation
12 | Conservation
INTERNATIONAL
CONSERVATION AWARD
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the primary accrediting body
for top zoos and aquariums in the United States, awarded Nashville Zoo the
2016 International Conservation Award for their work with the Gorilla
Rehabilitation and Conservation Education (GRACE) Center in the
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) benefiting Grauer’s gorillas.
The annual award recognizes exceptional efforts toward regional habitat
preservation, species restoration and support of biodiversity in the wild.
Nashville Zoo, along with eight other AZA-accredited zoos, received the
international award for their collaborative work with the GRACE Center.
The GRACE Center is the only facility in the world that provides rescue and
rehabilitative care for orphaned Grauer’s gorillas – considered the largest
and most endangered great ape. The organization was founded in 2009 by
the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. Located in a remote, forested
area of central Africa, the GRACE Center is currently home to 14 orphaned
Grauer’s gorillas between the ages of 3 and 15 years old that live together
as a surrogate family.
Grauer’s gorillas, also known as eastern lowland gorillas, are closely related
to mountain gorillas. They are endangered due to widespread poaching,
habitat destruction, the rapidly growing human population within their
habitat, and civil war and unrest in the region. In the last 20 years, nearly
80 percent of the Grauer’s gorilla population has been wiped out and only
3,800 of these animals remain in the wild today.
In August, Nashville Zoo brought local awareness of the GRACE Center by
hosting a public presentation featuring GRACE Center’s Executive Director
Dr. Sonya Kahlenberg. Nashville Zoo President Rick Schwartz actively serves
on the GRACE board of directors and the Zoo has supported GRACE through
financial contributions since 2013.
For more information, visit www.gracegorillas.org.
GRAUER’S
GORILLAS
Democratic Republic
of Congo
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CLOUDED
LEOPARDS
Thailand
CLOUDED LEOPARD COLLABORATION
Arguably Nashville Zoo’s signature species,
the clouded leopard represents successful
conservation initiatives including field research
and captive breeding programs. More than
29 cubs have been born in 17 litters since
2009 at Nashville Zoo. In the wild, clouded
leopards are listed as “vulnerable” and are
protected in most of their native countries
although enforcement in many areas is weak.
Since 2000, Nashville Zoo has collaborated with
Smithsonian National Zoo and Point Defiance Zoo
to form the Clouded Leopard Consortium and
develop breeding programs and field monitoring
projects for clouded leopards in Thailand.
Recently, researchers from the Smithsonian
Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) partnered
with the Nashville Zoo’s veterinarians to perform
artificial insemination (AI) on three of the Zoo’s
female clouded leopards. Together with Nashville
Zoo veterinarians Dr. Heather Robertson and
Dr. Margarita Woc Colburn, SCBI research staff,
Adrienne Crosier, Ph.D., Pierre Comizzoli, D.V.M.,
Ph.D., and Diana Koester, Ph.D, were able to add
to their groundbreaking research.
Improving AI success in clouded leopards will
allow reproduction of genetically desirable
animals that are unable to naturally produce
offspring due to behavioral incompatibility or
spatial constraints, such as compatible animals
residing in separate countries.
The Zoo’s three female clouded leopards will
contribute crucial data to the study, and any
resulting offspring from these AIs, produced
using sperm from ideal genetic matches for
the females, will undoubtedly contribute to the
genetic health of the overall SSP population.
14 | Conservation
FIELDWORK IN SOUTH AMERICA
CARING FOR AMAZONIAN MANATEES IN PERU
John Garnica, director of the Rainforest Awareness Rescue and Education
Center (RAREC), has built a center for wildlife rescue and environmental
education in Iquitos, Peru - the largest city in the world not connected by
roads.
Indiscriminate hunting and pollution have negatively affected many species
in the region. RAREC works to rescue, rehabilitate and release animals in
need, and educate the community about alternative ways to support their
families rather than hunting vulnerable species like the Amazonian manatee.
In December 2016, Zoo President Rick Schwartz and Director of Veterinary
Services Dr. Heather Robertson traveled to Iquitos to donate time, expertise,
and equipment to RAREC and the struggling Quistococha Zoo, which also
rescues animals in dire situations. Dr. Robertson was also able to offer
veterinary advice and medication to the RAREC team caring for a group of
four orphaned manatees.
Dr. Robertson and the RAREC biologist trained the team on collecting blood
samples and conducting routine physical exams to help better track the
manatees’ recovery. With new nutritional regimen recommendations, the
four manatees are getting healthier and stronger.
Once the four orphaned manatees make a full recovery, RAREC will be
releasing them back into the wild. In order to enhance the safety of the
manatees, RAREC is collaborating with local villagers to help them understand
the importance of these animals and why they should protect them during
their reintroduction to the wild.
AMAZONIAN
MANATEES
Peru
Along with their education initiative, RAREC works to rescue endangered
species, such as Amazonian manatees, ocelots, and jaguars, from illegal and
abusive situations which requires adequate animal care resources.
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TRACKING ANTEATERS IN THE PANTANAL
Nashville Zoo carnivore keeper, Pujita Venkat, was selected as one of the
researchers to travel alongside Dr. Arnaud Desbiez, an internationally
renowned field researcher from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland,
to conduct field work on giant armadillos and giant anteaters as part of the
Giant Armadillo Project.
The team is collecting baseline data in the Pantanal, a tropical wetland
in Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia. Their two week journey entailed collecting
semen samples and fitting giant anteaters with GPS tags to learn more
about how they use their environment. The samples will be used in a
comparative study with giant armadillos to provide information on their
behavior.
Little was known about the elusive giant armadillo until Dr. Desbiez
began his pioneering research into the species in 2011 with the creation
of the Giant Armadillo Project. For the past decade, Dr. Desbiez has led
groundbreaking research associated with giant armadillo and giant
anteater conservation.
Nashville Zoo is home to the largest collection of giant anteaters in
North America, which Pujita has worked with over the last three years.
“I’ve worked with these animals extensively and have learned everything
I can about them in captivity,” says Venkat. “Participating in the Armadillo
Project offered the opportunity to learn more about conservation fieldwork
of anteaters as well as expand my knowledge of giant armadillos.”
Since 2011, Nashville Zoo has been a major supporter of Dr. Desbiez’s
field research. The Zoo provided Desbiez with the initial seed money to
establish the first long-term ecological study of giant armadillos in the
Brazilian Pantanal wetland as well as other future Brazilian Biomes. The
Zoo also helped purchase equipment used to track giant anteaters in the
wild.
GIANT
ANTEATERS
Brazil
16 | Conservation
ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLES GET HEAD START
Nashville Zoo is involved with many conservation projects
in our own backyard, including working with alligator
snapping turtles. Often confused with the common snapping
turtle which thrives in waterways all across Tennessee, the
prehistoric-looking alligator snapping turtle is most easily
distinguished by three large ridges along the back of its shell
and its much larger size. This species is known to spend most
of its life in water, often underwater for up to 50 minutes at
a time.
Historically, the alligator snapping turtle’s range spanned over
14 states from watersheds of the Mississippi River down to
waterways that drain into the Gulf of Mexico. During the 1960s
and 70s, wild populations of the alligator snapping turtle
were decimated due to commercial harvesting for their meat.
Current threats include habitat destruction, egg predation
and low survival of babies as they are food for many species.
Females of this species don’t produce large clutches of eggs
making recovery from low populations difficult.
The TN Wildlife Action Plan identifies the alligator snapping
turtle as a species of greatest conservation need. This species
is also listed as “In Need of Management” by the Tennessee
Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) and is considered imperiled
by Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
Although the species is now protected from commercial
harvesting, damage to populations is extensive. With a
ALLIGATOR
SNAPPING
TURTLES
Tennessee
commitment to be more active in field work and conservation
of this unique species, Nashville Zoo planned, proposed, and
proudly received a four year, $40,000 grant from the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service and TWRA to develop and lead a Head
Start (collect, hatch, and raise) and Release program
for North America’s largest freshwater turtle. The Zoo also
received a grant from The Barbara J. Mapp Foundation to
support this program in 2016.
Nashville Zoo will collaborate with TWRA biologists and visit
areas that are known to have alligator snapping turtles.
Here, the Zoo will collect females and conduct ultrasound
procedures to determine if they are developing eggs. Gravid
females (still carrying their eggs) will be brought back to the
Zoo in an isolated area for egg collection. Once the eggs are
laid, the females will be returned back to where they were
collected. In May, Ectotherm Curator Dale McGinnity and
keeper Katie Gregory were able to collect four females that
were of proper size to be carrying eggs. Unfortunately, the
turtles had already laid their eggs for the year. While our team
was unsuccessful, we learned new data about the timing of egg
deposition in West Tennessee and will modify our collection
dates next year.
Conservation |
LOGGERHEAD
SHRIKE
Tennessee
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE
RESEARCH & FIELDWORK
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In 2016, the Nashville Zoo’s Avian Department continued its success with several
keynote species, in situ field work, collaborative conservation efforts and presentations
of husbandry techniques to colleagues at conferences and workshops.
The Loggerhead Shrike field work continued throughout the year in Robertson County,
TN where staff performed point counts for this rarely seen songbird. Between 1966 and
2015, the species declined by almost 3% per year, resulting in a cumulative decline of
76%, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey.
The Zoo worked closely with the Southeastern Loggerhead Shrike Working Group and
Wildlife Preservation Canada (WPC) on habitat and sustainability efforts. In December,
WPC sent four captive shrikes to the Nashville Zoo for a migration urge study. This is a
first for this species and will begin in 2017.
CASSOWARY INTRODUCTIONS
The Nashville Zoo bird department anxiously anticipated and planned the introduction
of our adult female and male Double Wattled Cassowaries.
As breeding season approached, Zoo staff extensively observed the birds’ interactions
to determine whether or not the pair was mature enough to breed. After weeks of
observation, the team decided the birds were ready to meet and began supervised
introductions. Once the pair became comfortable with each other, the adjoining gates
between a shared fence line were opened in hopes that they would mate.
DOUBLE
WATTLED
CASSOWARY
Excitingly, the birds showed great compatibility by grooming each other, taking naps
near each other and foraging for food together. Three eggs were laid in May 2016,
but the eggs were not viable. The pair will be re-introduced during the next breeding
season in hopes for viable eggs. Very few zoos are capable of breeding cassowaries, so
if Nashville Zoo is able to successfully breed our birds it would have a huge impact on
the future of the species.
18 | Conservation
SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES
The Nashville Zoo Green Team is an internal committee comprised of representatives from each department within the Zoo and is
committed to researching, implementing and educating our employees and the general public on sustainability practices. The team
meets routinely throughout the year and has a presence at many zoo events and community events. In 2016, Nashville Zoo joined the
Tennessee Environmental Council Forum to participate in programs and increase awareness about initiatives that directly impact
Tennessee’s environment, community, and public health.
STORM WATER RUNOFF GRANT
The Zoo worked on a 319 grant that improved storm water runoff from a 110 acre industrial park
by utilizing approximately 6 acres on a site that was previously comprised of an exotic invasive
plant. Invasive plants were removed and flow control berms were added along with flow control
devices.
A native prairie was planted in this area as this was a common habitat type where the Zoo
is located in the Nashville Basin. This habitat started disappearing around 1800 when the last
bison and elk were killed by European settlers as these animals maintained the habitat. By 1820,
the native prairies were already starting to be overgrown by trees and beginning to disappear.
The native grasses and wildflowers are dense and have deep roots which allow for the filtration
and infiltration of large quantities of storm water runoff. We tentatively plan to use bison and
other indigenous species to help maintain the prairie and use the site as an educational tool
to teach visitors about historic native habitats, storm water pollution prevention and declining
native pollinators.
The stream where the polluted storm water was entering has already improved dramatically
by going from a stream bed that was previously composed entirely of silt from bank to bank,
to a stream bed that is now composed of gravel and rocks. This habitat change means that the
stream can support aquatic macroinvertebrates which are the beginning of the food web in
streams and will allow for increasing biodiversity.
PARTNERSHIPS
50K TREE DAY
Continuing to support efforts by the Tennessee Environmental Council
(TEC), the Zoo is a proud partner of this annual event, encouraging Tennessee
residents to plant trees throughout our communities and replenish the
natural landscape. The Zoo provided one of many distribution points
throughout 93 counties where residents were offered free seedlings and
instructions on proper planting, with the ultimate goal of introducing over
50,000 new trees to Tennessee.
TREE EDUCATION
Nashville Zoo and The Nature Conservancy launched “If Trees Could
Sing”- an innovative tree education program at the Zoo. Colorful tree signs
were installed at Nashville Zoo, to not only identify the trees, but also include
a photograph of a well-known music artist (like Reba McEntire) who has
filmed a short conversational video about that kind of tree and its benefits for
people. A scannable QR code on each sign takes visitors to the educational
video on the Web.
Conservation |
19
2ND ANNUAL WEED WRANGLE
In March, the Zoo held its 2nd annual Weed
Wrangle, a one-day, citywide, volunteer effort
to help rescue our public parks and green
spaces from invasive species through handson removal of especially harmful trees, vines
and flowering plants, like bush honey suckle
and Chinese privet. This invasive vegetation has
negatively impacted the ecosystem, causing a
decline in native plants along with the animals
that rely on them. Supervised by our Zoo
conservation experts in horticulture and animal
management, volunteers learned, practiced,
and began a habit of maintaining an area free of
invasive plants and encouraged replanting with
natives in removal areas.
GREEN SWEEPS
Twice in 2016, Zoo employees and volunteers took to the streets – and the sidewalks, Zoo paths, and
behind-the-scenes areas – to spruce up the Zoo and its surrounding neighborhood. Our Green Sweep
teams spent the day removing trash that had built up in the surrounding tree-lines, woods and along our
neighboring communities. Residents around the Zoo were thrilled to see our continued commitment to
keep the neighborhood clean. Recyclable products were separated and sent to their proper disposal. In
the end, the Zoo team was able to remove hundreds of pounds of trash and some other interesting
items that had been left behind.
REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
In 2016, through the actions of the Green Team, the Zoo installed new water fountain units with bottle
refilling stations and reduced the number of plastic water bottles by over 14,000 units. In addition,
new waste reduction and recycling programs were initiated in partnership with Waste Management of
Nashville. The zoo continues to replace outdated lighting with energy efficient LED systems and Energy
Star rated HVAC equipment that will further reduce our overall carbon footprint.
20 |
ANIMAL BIRTHS & ADDITIONS
RED RUFFED LEMUR TRIPLETS
In May, the Zoo announced the birth of three red ruffed lemurs. The male and
two females are the first lemurs to be born at Nashville Zoo since the Zoo moved
to the Grassmere property in 1996. With the addition of the three babies, the
Zoo is now home to five red ruffed lemurs.
This was the first breeding season first-time mom, Lyra, and her mate, Dino,
have been together. Lyra did a wonderful job with her babies, staying with them
in the off-exhibit nest and constantly nursing and cleaning.
Red ruffed lemurs are one of more than 100 species of lemurs on the island of
Madagascar and are considered critically endangered in the wild. Populations
are decreasing in the wild due to habitat loss, illegal hunting and pet trade.
These births are important in continuing the growth of the captive population
so future generations will be able to learn about these primates.
Animal Births & Additions |
21
MALE BAIRD’S TAPIR BORN IN AUGUST
On August 28th, the Zoo announced the birth of a male Baird’s
tapir. This is the first birth for mom JuJu and her mate.
The animal care team had been closely observing the first-time
mom for several weeks as she prepared to welcome her first
baby. New camera systems were installed in the tapir birthing
stall so vet staff and keepers could monitor JuJu’s progress as
her due date got closer.
“These cameras can be accessed from cell phones at any time,”
said Eric Reinsch, hoofstock supervisor. “Keepers were assigned
camera checks during overnight hours so we would know as
soon as labor started. There was round-the-clock monitoring to
ensure a safe and smooth delivery.”
17TH GIANT ANTEATER BORN SINCE 2000
The male giant anteater, Demetrio, was born on April 6 and is
currently being raised by his mother in our off-exhibit facility.
This is the second pup for this mother and the 17th successful
giant anteater birth at Nashville Zoo since we acquired this
species in 2000. There are a total of 111 in AZA zoos. Giant
anteaters are listed as vulnerable on the ICUN Red List with the
population declining 30% over the past 10 years due to habitat
loss and deaths by fire and vehicular traffic.
Nashville Zoo has had great success breeding these animals
and is involved in numerous projects that include monitoring
reproductive status in female giant anteaters by fecal hormone
analysis, performing ultra-sonographic exams to monitor fetal
development, and undertaking intensive diet studies. Nashville
Zoo is currently writing AZA’s husbandry manual for this species.
22 | Animal Births & Additions
SIX PALAWAN BINTURONGS BORN
Nashville Zoo had three litters of Palawan binturongs in 2016.
Born in March, the first litter was comprised of two females.
One of the sisters moved to Columbus Zoo, while the other,
named Willow, is now a member of our Ambassador Animal
program with her cousin, Wilbur.
Over the summer, two more litters were born with a total of
four kits - three males and one female. All four kits moved
to new permanent homes at Pittsburgh Zoo, Bronx Zoo and
Columbus Zoo.
The Palawan binturong is a smaller subspecies of binturong
(also known as bearcat) only reaching around 40 pounds.
They are classified as vulnerable due to destruction of
habitat and pet trade.
Nashville Zoo is the only AZA accredited zoo breeding this
species, and we now have a total of six Palawan binturongs
in our collection.
SIX GREAT BLUE TURACOS BORN
Nashville Zoo also hatched six surviving Great blue turacos;
bringing our total to 14 surviving chicks. Great blue turaco
chicks have a low survival rate, which makes each of these
hatchings significant to the captive population.
Through research and observation, the Zoo’s avian team
has developed a shared care technique that has increased
the survival rate of chicks. Thanks to an accessible nest, staff
can monitor the chick’s health daily, supplementing food
or administering medications as needed, while the chick
remains with and can be raised by the parent.
While most of our turacos live in off-exhibit areas, the Zoo’s
Aviary is home to a one-year-old juvenile turaco who is very
curious of his new surroundings and enjoys greeting guests
as they enter the aviary.
Animal Births & Additions |
23
FIRST WHITE CHEEKED GIBBON BIRTH
The Zoo was pleased to announce the birth of a male white-cheeked
gibbon on June 5. This is the first white-cheeked gibbon to be born at
Nashville Zoo since adding the species to the animal collection in 2003.
First time mom, Singwah, and baby are doing well.
Through training, Singwah enabled us to monitor her pregnancy through
ultrasound. Once the baby was born, she eagerly showed us the infant
and has allowed keepers to examine the young gibbon as needed.
The Zoo continues to receive outstanding support from the medical
community. The Children’s Hospital at Tri-Star Centennial provided a
neonatal incubator in case needed.
White-cheeked gibbons are not monkeys, but are considered lesser apes
due in part to their lack of a tail and ability to walk bipedally on their back
legs. They are considered critically endangered in their native lands of
Southeast Asia. Populations are decreasing in the wild due to habitat
loss, illegal pet trade and the palm oil crisis.
FOUR RARE GALLIWASPS BORN
Four Central American Giant Galliwasps were born in August, marking
the first hatching in over 10 years at the Zoo. Nashville Zoo is the only
zoo in the United States to have successfully bred this rare species.
Our female galliwasp made a nest chamber underground to coil around
her four eggs, instinctually protecting them from predators. She did not
emerge from the chamber for food or water for more than two months.
If the nesting chamber is disturbed in any way, the female will destroy
the eggs to prevent predators from getting them. “This makes checking
on the condition of the eggs extremely challenging,” said Herpetology
keeper Matt Martino. “Because we couldn’t risk checking on the female
or the eggs, we patiently watched for any signs of life.”
This species is rarely seen in the wild and extremely uncommon in zoo
collections. The Zoo’s herpetology team is continually learning and
researching the best husbandry and breeding practices to increase zoo
populations and are working towards conservation initiatives for several
galliwasp species facing extinction in the wild.
24 | Animal Births & Additions
ENDANGERED YELLOW-BLOTCHED
MAP TURTLES HATCH
In 2016, the Zoo announced the hatching of four endangered
yellow-blotched map turtles. This hatching ranks Nashville
Zoo as the third AZA institution to ever successfully
breed these turtles.
During the breeding of this rare species, the Zoo’s
Herpetology team was able to decide what sex the
hatchlings would be by monitoring the temperatures during
the 80-85 day incubation period. Incubating at cooler
temperatures typically hatches males and incubating at
warmer temperatures hatches more females.
Yellow-blotched map turtles are found exclusively in the
Pascagoula River and its tributaries in southern Mississippi.
This species was listed as federally threatened under the
Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1991 as well as endangered
by the State of Mississippi.
Nashville Zoo participates in the Association of Zoos and
Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for yellow-blotched map
turtles to increase the captive population as well as raise
awareness for this rare and endangered turtle.
22 LORIKEET CHICKS BORN INTO
ZOO’S FLOCK
In 2016, the Lorikeet Landing flock produced 22 chicks,
including rare Perfect and Blue-headed lorikeets. With the
addition of these chicks, Lorikeet Landing is now home to
nearly 80 lorikeets.
In November, Lorikeet Landing opened a new nursery to
house some of their chicks. Guests can now get a glimpse
at our staff’s aviculture skills by peeking in the window of the
nursery as they exit the interactive exhibit.
Animal Births & Additions |
25
13TH RHINOCEROS HORNBILL BORN
The avian team hatched its 13th Rhinoceros Hornbill. Rhinoceros
Hornbills are cavity nesters, meaning the female hornbill will lay her
eggs inside a hollowed out tree. At the Zoo, hornbill breeding is
encouraged by offering a large wooden barrel on a raised platform
to simulate a hollow tree trunk. The barrel is modified with a small
access door and a mounted infrared camera so that keepers can
determine when eggs are laid and for monitoring the growth of
the healthy chicks.
The Rhinoceros Hornbill faces many challenges which pose serious
threats to the species. Along with the global issue of deforestation
resulting in a loss of habitat, these birds are hunted as food, and
ornaments are made out of their casques and feathers.
Nashville Zoo participates in the Rhinoceros Hornbill Species
Survival Plan (SSP) and over the last decade has become the most
prolific producer of Rhinoceros Hornbills in the U.S.
NEW AT THE ZOO: TWO-TOED SLOTHS
The Zoo added two-toed sloths to its animal collection. Guests can
see the mother, Edith, and her son, Emmett, in the Aviary inside
Unseen New World.
The temperature and humidity requirements for this species makes
them a perfect fit in the Aviary, which also offers a naturalistic
canopy and vine thoroughfare where visitors can easily observe the
sloths. They represent a mammal species in the aviary that already
supports over 20 birds and reptiles.
Two- toed sloths are known as the world’s slowest mammal and
spend most of their lives in the treetops of Central and South
America. While all sloths have three claws on their hind limbs, twotoed sloths are distinguished by the number of fingers on their
hands. Their elongated limbs, long claws and reinforced lumbar
vertebrae are adaptations making the upside-down hanging
lifestyle easy for this species.
26 | Veterinary Animal Care
VETERINARY ANIMAL CARE
STUDYING LORIKEET DRUG DOSAGE
Over the last two years, Dr. Heather Robertson and the veterinary team worked with
Dr. Steven Stodghill, an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical
Science at Belmont University, and a select group of graduate students to discover
the exact dosage of Ponazuril that would be best for fighting Sarcocystosis, a
seasonal parasitic disease spread by opossums.
Testing was conducted on 24 of the Zoo’s lorikeets, including three species of
rainbow lorikeets. After one oral dose, the level of the drug in the blood was
monitored by taking daily samples from the birds over several weeks. After
the results of the study are in, they will be included in the Exotic Animal Drug
Formulary, where the information will be available to other zoos housing these
colorful, popular birds around the world.
FORT CAMPBELL VETERINARY COLLABORATION
When the Baghdad Zoo was taken over during the Iraq War, U.S. soldiers were
among the first to rehabilitate, feed and care for the surviving animals. Army
veterinarians from Fort Campbell’s Veterinary Services Division are now training
once a week with the Zoo’s animal care staff to learn more about exotic animal
medicine and husbandry.
Since the program’s inception, participants have assisted in surgery, participated
in anesthesia and worked with our carnivore, hoofstock, avian and reptile teams.
Nashville Zoo’s staff has also benefited from the partnership, as one of the Ft.
Campbell veterinarians is a board-certified surgeon, with a focus on orthopedics,
and has assisted during some of the Zoo’s recent surgical cases.
VET TEAM PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS
Margarita Woc Colburn, DVM presented at PAX TAG at the Omaha conference on histopathological and nutritional evaluation of free-ranging tamanduas,
and presented at the first BIAZA Xenarthra Conference in London on the medical challenges facing the giant anteater and tamandua, as well as on the body
condition scoring of giant anteaters and tamanduas. She was also accepted to be a member of the Animal Health Committee for the Association of Zoos and
Aquariums (AZA).
Heather Robertson, DVM presented the carnivore hand-rearing class for AAZK in Memphis. Sandy Skeba, LVMT had two chapters published in the “Exotic
Animal Medicine for the Veterinary Technician” textbook on “The Role of a Veterinary Technician Within a Zoo” and “Fish Medicine.”
Veterinary Animal Care |
27
FISH SURGERY
In the fall, keepers noticed a growth under the jaw of one of the oldest
fish in the River Tanks of Unseen New World. This black arowana has
been in the collection for over 16 years in perfect health. So when
the mass continued to grow, it was decided that surgical intervention
was necessary.
Arowana are armor-plated, muscular fish known for their jumping
ability, so keepers carefully trained her to accept being cradled in a
net without becoming stressed. It took several weeks of training and
acclimating her to the net so when the day of surgery arrived, she
was calm and cooperative. After being immersed in an anesthetic
solution, the tumor was quickly and carefully removed and she was
back to swimming in her tank in no time.
The black arowana has made a full recovery and appears to be doing
very well.
KANGAROO CHIROPRACTOR
It takes a village to care for a collection housing over 2,500 different
animals. Nashville Zoo’s veterinarian team has partners within the
community that offer additional specialty medical services for special
cases.
Ima, the red kangaroo, has lower spinal and hip issues from old
injuries. Keepers noticed she was slowing down and decided to
contact Dr. Bryan Pascoe and therapist Steve Whitehead of Belle
Meade Chiropractic, who have volunteered to help other animals in
the past.
After treating her with laser therapy for several weeks, the Zoo’s vet
team decided to do a spinal adjustment to enhance healing. Ima was
lightly sedated to keep her relaxed and calm during the adjustment.
After a smooth chiropractic appointment, she is now hopping better
than before.
28 |
62,167
Animal Show
attendees
276
Animal Shows
AMBASSADOR ANIMAL PROGRAMS
Nashville Zoo’s Behavioral Husbandry department promotes the discovery of animals and conservation to Zoo guests and the Middle
Tennessee community through a variety of interactive educational programs featuring the Zoo’s ambassador animals. Whether it’s
a show at the Zoo’s amphitheater or a classroom presentation to elementary schoolers, personable and knowledgeable keepers
entertain and educate audiences of all sizes.
ANIMAL SHOWS
Our wild animal shows returned in 2016 after a year of absence due to construction. The Zoo’s Behavioral Husbandry department
presented two shows, “Destination Wild” and “Wingin’ It” which highlighted different species from around the world.
Flying predators, rain forest seed dispersers, tree dwellers and small mammals delighted visitors during these daily shows. As birds
soared over our guests’ heads, keepers shared educational information about these animals and related conservation efforts.
Ambassador Animal Programs | 29
ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS
92,341
Guests are able to meet animals up-close along the Zoo trails with
daily Animal Encounters. Behavioral Husbandry keepers bring
out different animals throughout the day to share information
and answer guests’ questions.
Animal Encounter
attendees
For the first time, guests strolling the Zoo’s pathways witnessed
macaw flights taking place overhead. Keepers trained these
magnicficent birds to fly over an eighth of a mile along the Zoo’s
pathways twice a day, ending with a special keeper talk where
guests could learn more about the macaws.
934
BACKSTAGE PASS
In 2016, the Zoo added the new “Backstage Pass” experience
giving visitors the opportunity to take a private tour behind-thescenes.
The tour showcased three areas: our off-exhibit giant anteater
collection, which is the largest collection of giant anteaters
in North America, our commissary where animal diet and
nutrition needs are fulfilled daily, and a behind-the-scenes look
at our state-of-the-art giraffe barn. The tour concludes with an
opportunity for guests to feed our giraffe herd!
WILDLIFE ON WHEELS
Nashville Zoo also provides outreach programs to 300+
organizations and groups throughout the year. These programs
enable the Zoo to bring our educational message into the
community accompanied by one or more of our special animals.
Thanks to a $15,000 grant in 2016, the Zoo provided programs
free of charge to under-served groups. A $5,000 grant allowed a
new conservation program to be created. It was piloted in 2016
and was well-received by multiple age groups.
Animal
Encounters
1,391
Backstage Pass
participants
300+
Backstage Pass
tours
19,836
Wildlife on Wheels
participants
318
Wildlife on Wheels
programs
30 |
1,825
Zoo Tots
participants
888
ONSITE EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Nashville Zoo began restructuring its education programs in 2015 to offer a more
diverse array of programming to students of all ages.
After expanding our camp program to include seven new camps (including a conservation
camp for teens) and expanding enrollment by 150 new campers, Nashville Scene
readers voted our Summer Camp as Best of Nashville for the second straight year.
Overnight
Campers
The attendance at our Night Owl overnight programs and Saturday Scout programs
also increased from 2015. In 2016, overnight groups had the opportunity to spend the
night in Unseen New World, inches away from the Zoo’s amphibian, reptile and fish
collection - bringing conservation to life.
692
Other onsite programs offered in 2016 included the popular Zoo Tots series, photography
classes and more exciting learning opportunities and events.
Summer
Campers
Onsite Education Programs |
FALL VETERINARY CAMP
CELEBRATE READING
PARTY FOR THE PLANET
TEDDY BEAR CLINIC
This camp provides teens ages 15-18 an inside look at animal care and the
level of commitment to animal welfare that is provided daily at Nashville Zoo.
The program gives students interested in a potential career in animal care
an up-close look at what a typical day looks like in the veterinarian world and
alllows students to ask our vet team any questions they may have.
In April, the Zoo joined others from around the world to celebrate Earth Day
with our annual “Party for the Planet” - a celebration designed to educate kids
and adults on sustainability practices and human impact on the environment.
Local schools and Zoo guests participated in activities teaching them how our
daily actions effect our environment and how we can make positive changes
to keep our planet healthy.
31
In November, the Zoo held its 2nd annual Celebrate Reading event where
guests followed a story map to hear different childrens’ books read at various
stops around the Zoo. During the event, the Zoo collected over 300 books on
behalf of Book ‘Em, a Nashville non-profit providing books to economicallydisadvantaged children from birth to high school.
In February, children were invited to bring their favorite stuffed animal friend
to the Zoo’s first Teddy Bear Clinic. More than 260 guests interacted with our
talented staff and docents to learn more about how we care for the Zoo’s
animals. The vet team was “on call” to perform routine checkups and give out
certificates of “Beary Good Health.”
32 |
67,218
School-Related
Visitors
48,576
Field Trip
Students
12,892
Title 1 Youth
Visitors
FIELD TRIPS & SCHOOL PROGRAMS
In 2016, the participation in our education programs significantly
increased for a second straight year, introducing more students
to our organization’s initiatives and fostering their understanding
of animals and conservation efforts around the globe.
FIELD TRIPS
Over 48,000 students visited on field trips in 2016, a 27% increase
from 2015. For the first time in program history, more than 7,000
students participated in our Wild Encounter programs (a 35%
increase from 2015), which give students a closer look at specific
animals through a formal presentation.
CROFT DESIGN CENTER PARTNERSHIP
Our partnership with Croft Design Center (Middle School) continued
its growth from the 2015 season. Outreach programming to the
school increased from two to eight programs during the fall
semester, allowing our staff to tailor programs to each grade level
and align them with state education standards.
In addition to offering assistance with an education curriculum
tied to some of the Zoo’s initiatives, students at the middle school
participated in the Zoo’s first Earth Day celebration and the Zoo
hosted an evening for students to showcase projects to friends
and family.
HOMESCHOOL DAYS
Homeschool Days are a series of educational programs for
home school students to teach them about the importance of
conservation by exploring the world around them.
| 33
GRASSMERE HISTORIC HOME
The Grassmere Historic Home remains a unique opportunity for guests of the
Nashville Zoo. The home was built by Col. Michael C. Dunn and was completed
around 1810, making it the third oldest residence in Davidson County that is
open to the public. Thanks to sisters Margaret and Elise Croft, the property
and buildings were preserved to educate Nashvillians about animals and the
environment. After changes to the tour program and additional opportunities
for guests to tour the home, nearly 42,000 guests toured the Croft House in
2016, a significant increase from 23,000 in 2015.
During the holidays, the home offers a seasonal look at this historic property and
during Halloween, the barn and back of the property were transformed into a
haunted experience for “Boo at the Zoo” visitors.
The Historic Home garden is maintained by The Master Gardeners of Davidson
County and has won international awards in the past.
39,000
Guests toured
the home
1,812
Boo at the Zoo
Tour Guests
34 |
ONSITE INTERPRETATION
Our education programming extends beyond camp programs and school activities
to include a combination of our animal experts, teen volunteers and extensively
trained docent team. Docents and ZooTeens provide animal chats, answer
questions from Zoo guests and provide background information on our species
and conservation initiatives.
These learning experiences are provided daily through peak season to all of our
daily Zoo guests and can cover topics ranging from animal nutrition, behaviors, our
impact on their environment and more.
Each year, Nashville Zoo tracks the number of guests who have stopped at some
point during their visit to view or ask questions at one of these educational
encounters. For the third straight year, we have successfully increased the number
of guests who have encountered these educational talks. All of our interpretive
programs reached nearly 200,000 total guests in 2016.
| 35
DOCENTS
Docents help educate Zoo guests using
animal artifacts at exhibits, assisting the
Education department with programs and
special events, and participating in off-site
events throughout Nashville.
ZOO TEENS
The ZooTeen Program is for young adults
aged 13 to high school seniors passionate
about animals and the environment.
ZooTeen hours increased dramatically, from
an average volunteered time of 42 hours per
teen to 78 hours per teen, increasing their
availability on zoo grounds to interact with
the public.
102,863
7,746
Docent-Guest
interactions
Docent
volunteer hours
48,796
2,608
ZooTeen-Guest
interactions
ZooTeen
volunteer hours
36 | Public Events & Fundraisers
PUBLIC EVENTS
Each year the Zoo hosts multiple events for all age groups. In 2016, we continued our ongoing trend of increased attendance over previous years.
297
4,668
attending
HERITAGE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Our inaugural Heritage Music Festival was held in September and despite
a day-long rain downpour, close to 300 guests attended. The new music
festival honors the Zoo’s history and the life of the Croft sisters on the
Grassmere Historic Home’s lawn.
attending
ICE DAY
Water slides, frozen treats and ice carvings make this annual mid-summer
event popular with our guests. Plus, guests enjoy watching animals enjoy an
icy treat as part of the animals’ daily enrichment.
3,500
446
attending
ZOOVIE NIGHTS
This outdoor movie series includes games, inflatables, music, crafts and
after-hour access to the carousel and zip line! At sundown, families settle in
for the night’s feature film.
attending
ZZZOOFARI SLUMBER
A unique campout experience taking place on Memorial and Labor Day
weekends each year, gives kids the chance to sleep a short distance away
from snoozing animals!
Public Events & Fundraisers |
FUNDRAISERS
37
In 2016, the Zoo raised over $2,000,000 in fundraisers, group events and public events.
BREW AT THE ZOO
The Zoo’s annual beer festival was voted “Best Beer Event” of 2016 by
Nashville Scene readers. Despite a rainy night, attendance increased 9%
over the previous year and the Conservation Lounge raised $10,000 for
Save Vietnam’s Wildlife.
3,608
attending
1,800
1,187
attending
ZOO RUN RUN
attending
RED, WHITE & ZOO
This January race takes families and dedicated runners on a 5K adventure In 2016, attendance increased 27% over its inaugural year in 2015. Each area
throughout the Zoo’s property, including areas not normally available to the of the Zoo had a regional theme, immersing guests in a worldwide trek of
public.
wines provided by Ajax Turner Distributing.
38 | Public Events & Fundraisers
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
BOO AT THE ZOO
By far, our most successful year yet, this annual community tradition increased
attendance 35% over the previous year. Activities included Storytail Treat Trail,
Enchanted Village, Fall Festival Field, Howl-o-ween Hayride and the Frightful
Farm. 20,000 reusable treat bags were distributed and over 364,000 pieces of
palm oil sustainable candy were handed out over the course of 10 nights.
39,969
attending
EGGSTRAVAGANZOO
Historically the largest attendance day of the year, 2016’s egg hunt set a
new single day attendance record, with a 6% increase from 2015. The event
showcases 10 egg hunts, springtime fun and animal enrichment. Over 49,000
pieces of palm oil sustainable candies were handed out.
13,577
attending
Group Sales & Social Events | 39
GROUP SALES & SOCIAL EVENTS
The Zoo offers a unique venue for weddings, business meetings and various
social events. 2016 was another record setting year in both revenue and
attendance. Total group sales revenue (ticket and catering) increased 17%
over the previous year.
With Soaring Eagle zip line, carousel rides, animal encounters and other
unique event enhancements, Nashville Zoo has become a favorite
destination for many of Nashville’s most unique corporate gatherings,
client appreciation parties and company picnics. The Zoo looks forward to
growing its group sales program further in 2017.
16,892
Picnic & Luncheon
Guests
2,575
Wedding & Social
Event Guests
1,411
Meeting
Guests
40 |
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Nashville Zoo annually provides support for various community programs and has partnered with many of Nashville’s community outreach programs.
AUTISM AWARENESS DAY
The Zoo continued its partnership in 2016 with Vanderbilt
Kennedy Center’s Treatment and Research Institute
for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD). Our annual
Autism Awareness Day offers family-oriented animal
experiences and activities throughout the Zoo, including
a zoo-wide scavenger hunt, sensory tour, and up-close
animal encounters. The Zoo has worked closely with
Vanderbilt to develop support tools and materials for
guests on the autism spectrum such as visual schedules,
social stories and modified Zoo maps.
MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY
In November, the Zoo and Regions Bank invited
active military personnel, military veterans and
their immediate families to receive free Zoo
admission during Military Appreciation Day. This
day is offered in gratitude for their commitment,
bravery and sacrifices. In addition to regular zoo
activities, a special children’s fun zone was set up
on Festival Field and a collection of military items
was on display at the Grassmere Home.
Community Engagement |
SENIOR DAY
BLOOD DRIVE
METRO POLICE TOY DRIVE
PREDATORS DAY
Cigna-HealthSpring partnered with the Zoo for our annual Senior Day, offering
free admission to those 65+ and showcasing special programs throughout
the day.
Metro Nashville Police Department’s Mounted Patrol Division collected
donated toys for its annual Christmas Basket Program, a charity drive designed
to collect toys and other items for area families in need of assistance during
the holidays. The Zoo offered a complimentary admission ticket for every
donation.
41
The Zoo teamed up with the American Red Cross for a blood drive in
December. All presenting blood donors received a free T-shirt from the Red
Cross and one free Zoo admission ticket.
Nashville Predators players, Ryan Johansen and Austin Watson, visited and
signed autographs at the Zoo’s annual Preds Day. Zoo guests enjoyed games,
giveaways and other activities.
42 | Volunteers, Employees & Interns
VOLUNTEERS
The Adult Volunteer Corps gives volunteers ages 18 and older
the opportunity to experience a deeper level of involvement
with the Zoo. They have the privilege to volunteer alongside
Zoo staff in areas throughout the Zoo and assist them with
daily operations, animal care or special events.
While most of our volunteers are prohibited from animal
contact or working within exhibits, all volunteers provide critical
assistance in many areas, including: Education and Visitor
Interaction, Administrative Support, Animal Diet Preparation,
Historic Preservation, Conservation Corps, Master Gardeners
and more.
In 2016, the Zoo revamped aspects of the volunteer program
hoping to build a stronger corps unit with consistent
interaction within the organization by streamlining the total
number of volunteers and seeking to increase the amount of
hours provided by each member of this dedicated group.
As a result, the number of volunteers in 2016 dropped by 38%
while the total number of volunteer hours increased by 23%.
The Zoo continues to welcome volunteers from businesses,
organizations, groups and others throughout the Nashville
community. Our volunteers provide a great service to the Zoo
and have an amazing time while doing so.
41,763
Total Volunteer
Hours
2,371
Adult
volunteers
286
Youth
Volunteers
Volunteers, Employees & Interns |
EMPLOYEES & INTERNS
Nashville Zoo provided employment for over 215 people in 2016, including 64 seasonal staff members and 152 permanent full-time
employees. The Zoo is committed to supporting continued education opportunities for its zookeepers. In 2016, the veterinary team
travelled to Florida to learn about manatee conservation, a carnivore keeper did fieldwork in South America with giant anteaters, and
many other staff members participated in national and regional conferences.
152
Full-Time
Employees
In addition, the Zoo increased its internship opportunities in 2016, providing valuable experience to college students looking to start
their careers in a variety of areas such as zookeeping, veterinary sciences, education and more.
In 2017, Nashville Zoo is committed to supporting Nashville Mayor Megan Barry’s Opportunity NOW initiative to provide more
employment opportunities for young people in Davidson County.
64
Seasonal
Employees
39
Total
Interns
43
44 | Attendance & Membership
894,161
808,281
776,855
787,548
648,034
633,984
615,086
546,069
529,828
513,561
ANNUAL ATTENDANCE
834,012
ATTENDANCE & MEMBERSHIP
33,393
35,257
34,374
33,466
31,442
29,075
27,104
25,468
24,228
21,518
TOTAL MEMBERSHIPS
36,793
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Financial Report |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
10%
REVENUE BY SOURCE:
19%
33%
3%
Park Income $ 7,879,071
Education/Outreach/Other
$ 736,582
Membership
$ 3,237,896
Grants$ 5,026,697
Donations
$ 4,421,693
Events/Rentals
$ 2,414,521
TOTAL REVENUE
$23,716,462
21%
14%
6%
EXPENSES BY CATEGORY:
6%
29%
18%
4%
4%
9%
8%
Animal Care Conservation Education & Outreach Facilities & Exhibit Maintenance
Utilities & Insurance
Guest Services/Other Park Exp
G&A/IT/Other
Rentals/Other Events
Events & Fundraising
$ 3,674,323
$ 505,192
$ 500,332
$ 2,012,852
$ 960,673
$ 1,088,672
$ 2,261,643
$ 767,123
$ 739,839
TOTAL EXPENSES$12,510,653
16%
45
46 | Grow Wild
The Zoo continued its Grow Wild capital campaign through 2016. The multi-phase plan to develop roughly 100 acres on
the Grassmere property calls for creating unique and innovative habitats, expanding educational facilities, and ensuring
the highest quality of care for our valued animal collection.
While successfully opening the new Entry Village and Soaring Eagle Zip Line, construction continued on multiple projects
scheduled to open in 2017 including the new Spider Monkey, Andean Bear, Sumatran Tiger and White Rhinoceros
exhibits. These projects are highlighted in the next few pages.
The Zoo is grateful to all of those in the Nashville community who support this unprecedented growth, including
generous donors, community leaders, sponsors, guests and Zoo members.
CAMPAIGN CABINET
Jennifer Frist - Campaign Chair
Julie W. Walker - Board Chair
Cynthia Arnholt
Kelley Beaman Lee Beaman Luci Crow
Missy Eason
Carl Haley, Jr.
Jeff Jacobs
Kent Kirby
John Lueken
David Manning
Alex Marks Katherine Lay Miller
Kelly Roberts
McArthur VanOsdale
Grow Wild |
GROW WILD COMMITMENTS
$5,000,000+
The Frist Foundation
HCA
Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson
County
$3,000,000 +
Stephanie and John Ingram, The John R. Ingram Advised
Fund*
Robin and Richard Patton, The Patton Advised Fund*
$1,000,000 +
Judith and Richard Bracken, The Bracken Foundation
Kathryn and David Brown
Dugas Family Foundation
Dottie Frist, The Dorothy Cate & Thomas F. Frist
Foundation
Patricia and Rodes Hart
Sarah and David Ingram, The David B. Ingram Advised
Fund*
Cal Turner Family Foundation
$250,000 - $999,999
Anonymous
Andrea Waitt Carlton Family Foundation
Jim and Sally Hunt
Gail and Jeff Jacobs
Adrienne and Richard McRae, The Selby and Richard
McRae Foundation
The Memorial Foundation
Leah and Jim Sohr Family Foundation
State of Tennessee
Jim and Becky Webb
$100,000 - $249,999
Anonymous (2)
Cynthia and David Arnholt
Kelley and Lee Beaman, Alvin and Sally Beaman
Foundation
*The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
47
Kelly and Richard Crook
Kevin and Katie Crumbo
Joe C. Davis Foundation
Haslam 3 Foundation
Haslam Family Foundation
Lisa and David L. Manning
Pilot Flying J
Scott and Lyn Sohr
$25,000 - $99,999
Mr. & Mrs. Neely Coble, III & Family
Charles, Kim and Charlie Crews
Laurie and Steve Eskind
Ford Motor Company
Bob and Julie Gordon
Joel and Bernice Gordon
Kent, Nora and Emme Kirby
Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation
Elizabeth and Larry Papel
Mr. and Mrs. Brian S. Smallwood
Julie and Breck Walker
$5,000 - $24,999
Anonymous (3)
All About Animals LLC
Mary and H. Lee Barfield II, The Dorothy Cate & Thomas F.
Frist Foundation
John O. Colton, The John and Julia Colton Family Advised
Fund*
Agneta and Brownlee Currey
Missy and John Eason
Ergon Foundation Inc.
Kerry Foth
Kris and Alex Marks
Martin Family Foundation
The Sol and Rose Stern Charitable Trust
The Taylor Family Charitable Fund
Julia and Chris Whitson
Irene and Ridley Wills
48 |
OPENING
APRIL 2017
SPIDER MONKEY:
TREETOP PASSAGE
To enter the new exhibit, Zoo guests will cross an elevated wooden
bridge ending in a treetop view of these lively, inquisitive Mexican
spider monkeys swinging among the trees.
Half siblings, Sandy and Poppy, came to Nashville from Brevard
Zoo in Melbourne, FL. Two additional females will be added to the
group.
A covered viewing building will feature materials from around the
world including Peruvian textiles and decorative masks selected
by Zoo President Rick Schwartz.
Bamboo imported from Vietnam and Colombia and
environmentally sustainable materials like reclaimed wood and
synthetic thatch complement the Central American theme.
| 49
OPENING
2017
WHITE RHINOCEROS
The former African Elephant Savannah will soon become home to
four female captive-born rhinos from South Africa.
The outdoor exhibit yard needed several alterations to insure a
comfortable environment for the incoming rhino herd, including
modifying the existing pool.
The former elephant barn also needed to be remodeled to
accommodate the rhinos, including replacing the floors and
additional work to the outdoor holding area attached to the barn.
50 |
OPENING
JUNE 2017
EXPEDITION PERU:
TREK OF THE ANDEAN BEAR
Once complete, “Expedition Peru: Trek of the Andean Bear” will feature
multiple species, ensuring this as one of the most popular destinations
within the park.
Visitors will get an unobstructed view of the bears’ hillside habitat from
inside a Peruvian lodge. The lodge will contain interactive educational
displays and feature a 16-ft. aquarium with fresh water stingrays and other
aquatic species that inhabit the Peruvian Amazon Basin.
Upon exiting the lodge, guests will encounter the world’s smallest deer,
the pudu. An additional habitat will feature a group of over twenty guinea
pigs and will highlight the importance of these domesticated animals to
Peruvian culture.
| 51
OPENING
AUGUST 2017
SUMATRAN TIGER
Originally built in 1989 as a black bear exhibit, the
Zoo’s tiger exhibit was in great need of renovation.
The new exhibit will be home to three female
Sumatran tigers.
Improvements to the exhibit will enlarge the
tigers’ habitat and night quarters, as well as add
a new indoor viewing area for guests. The viewing
building will feature reinforced glass panels for
the closest possible view of these majestic cats, a
training panel and interactive displays to engage
and educate visitors about tiger conservation.
In addition, the outdoor bridge viewing area will be
renovated to visually mirror the Asian architectural
components featured on the new viewing building.
52 | Sunset Safari
SUNSET SAFARI
PRESENTED BY UBS
Sunset Safari is our annual celebration in support
of Nashville Zoo. Guests spent a memorable
evening enjoying food and drinks from the city’s
best restaurants, live entertainment and special
animal hosts. 2016’s event celebrated the
upcoming opening of our new white rhinoceros
exhibit.
EVENT CHAIRS
Lisa Henderson
Cile Scanlan
Melanie Tigrett
HONORARY CHAIRS
Lily Aldridge
Caleb Followill
HOST COMMITTEE
Amy and Kenneth Adams
Laura Aldridge
Sarah and Eric Allredge
Lydia and George Armistead
Cynthia and Dave Arnholt
Lisa and Lyle Beasley
Shannon and Mick Beisel
Anna Berry
Janie and John Berry
Mark Blaze
Dixie and Bob Boston
Lauren Bounds
Ashley and Will Brockman
Kathryn and David Brown
Paula and Kim Brown
Susan and Kent Burns
Daphne and Rawls Butler
Kathy and Crom Carmichael
Sally and Neely Coble
Allie and Edward Coble
Neely Coble IV
Rosalind and John Connor
Ashley and Joe Cook
Laura and John Cooper
Kelly and Richard Crook
Katie and Kevin Crumbo
Jennifer and Chad Cunningham
Donna Dalton and Luke Froeb
Anne Davis and Karl Dean
Kathy and Martin Davis
Suann and Ralph Davis
Conde and Brian Devine
Clokie and Brian Dixon
Cathy and Van East
Laurie and Steven Eskind
Kathleen and Alec Estes
Kate and Steven Ezell
Karen and Gene Fleming
Mallory and Byran Fort
Allison and Andrew Fowler
Ashley and Ben Freeland
Cynthia and Ed Freeman
Elizabeth and Bryan Frist
Jennifer and Billy Frist
Katherine Madden and Tim Fuller
Karlen and Louis Garrard
Robbie Goldsmith
Julie and Bob Gordon
Martha and Matt Gorham
Barbara and Greg Hagood
Brittany and Ben Hanbeck
Karly and Clay Hart
Lisa and John Henderson
Amber and Phil Hertik
Lisanne and John Hitt
Kim and Jimmy Holbrook
Laurie and Steven Hooper
Katie and Randy Howell
Betsy and Jim Hunt, Jr.
Sally and Jim Hunt
Pilar and Lanson Hyde
Sarah and David Ingram
Martha and Gavin Ivester
Lauren and Jeremy Jeter
Kerrie and John T. Johnson
Fatima Karwandyar
Donna and Mike Kestner
Corinne and Brock Kidd
Peggy and Randy Kinnard
DJ Kreal
Debbie Mathews and Shannon Leroy
Elizabeth and Mike Lewis
Shelley and Gage Logan
Tom Loventhal
Ellie and Goldman Lowell
Sam and John Lueken
Maxine and Frank Majors
Dan and Marisa Martin
Neely and Frank McGrew
Anne Elizabeth McIntosh
Caroline and Rob McNeilly
Adrienne and Richard McRae
Paige and Henry Menge
Katherine Miller
Blair and Davis Murfree
Whitney and Matt Musser
Callie and Sinclair Myers
Laura and Charlie Niewold
Chris and John Norris
Sallie and Bill Norton
Babs Oglesby
Brenda and Bryan Oslin
Arnita and Tim Ozgener
Kim and Brad Paisley
Robin and Richard Patton
Katherine and Colby Paxton
Anna and Rob Peebles
Kathryn and Harry Peffen
Sara and Craig Perry
Loren Lowry and Seth Reagan
Leigh and Brian Reames
Meera Ballal and Seenu Reddy
Sarah and Rick Reisner
Tom Repass
George Ritzen
Chris and Tara Roach
Kris and Christopher Roach
Kelley and Wesley Roberts
Sylvia Roberts
Sheryl Rogers
Kathy and Bobby Rolfe
Linda and David Rue
Robin and Gary Satyshur
Cile and Pride Scanlan
Beth and Charlie Sell
Melissa and Terry Shirey
Mary Singleton
Caroline and Benson Sloan
Allison and Arthur Smith
Judi and Paul Smith
Marie and John Henry Smith
Janna and Brooks Smith
Katie and Tom Steele
Jenna and James Story
Perian and Sam Strang
Melody Telfer
Melanie and Kerr Tigrett
Erica and McArthur VanOsdale
Jenny and Adam Vasquez
Julie and Breck Walker
Holli Walker
Emily and Patrick Walsh
Ashley Webb
Barby and Govan White
Rob Whitley
Julia and Chris Whitson
Birgitta and David Williamson
Jennifer and Keith Woodruff
Maury and Mark Woolwine
Jessica and Lee Woosley
Pam and Tom Wylly
Sunset Safari |
RESTAURANTS & BEVERAGES
PRESENTING BENEFACTORS
Cathy and Jerry Johnson
Nora and Kent Kirby
Wanda and Jerry Lyle
BENEFACTORS
Tina and Jeff Adams
Sally Anderson
Cynthia and Dave Arnholt
Patrick Brinker
Susan and Kent Burns
Janie and Brandon Busbee
Kathy and Crom Carmichael
Joan and Will Cheek
Allie and Edward Coble
Linda Cochran
Ashley and Joe Cook
Kelly and Richard Crook
Katie and Kevin Crumbo
Anne Davis and Karl Dean
Kim and Eddie DeMoss
Donna and Jeff Eskind
Martha and Mark Ezell
Karen and Gene Fleming
Jessie and Nathan Followill
Lily and Caleb Followill
Cynthia and Ed Freeman
Elizabeth and Bryan Frist
Jennifer and Billy Frist
Karyn Frist
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Frist, Jr.
Krysta and Andrew Giacobone
Ann and Joseph Gilbert
Gwen and Frank Gordon
Kat and Jeff Greene
Barbara and Greg Hagood
Connie and Carl Haley
Lisa and John Henderson
Rebecca and John Howard
Sally and Jim Hunt
Suzanne Iler
Gail and Jeff Jacobs
Denise and Milton Johnson
Kerrie and John T. Johnson
Susan and Bill Joy
Donna and Mike Kestner
Laura and William Lawson
Daryl Brown and John Lewis
Shelley and Gage Logan
Maxine and Frank Majors
Lisa and David Manning
Adrienne and Richard McRae
Robin and Richard Patton
Sara and Craig Perry
Beverly and Jack Polson
Cammy and Roger Price
Leigh and Brian Reames
Thomas Repass
Sue and Stan Ruta
Cile and Pride Scanlan
Cindy Shafer
Shirley and Stuart Speyer
Sunny and Butch Spyridon
Elizabeth and James Stadler
Ann and Willy Stern
Melanie and Kerr Tigrett
Barbara and Rick Turner
Laura Turner
Erica and McArthur VanOsdale
Julie and Breck Walker
Jeremy Werthan
Julia and Chris Whitson
Jessica and Lee Woosley
Mary Lou and Steve Zagorsk
Adele’s
Amerigo
Aquarium
Bajo Sexto Taco
Barefoot Wine & Bubbly
Ben and Jerry’s
Blue Chair Bay Rum
Buffalo Trace Bourbon & Fireball Cinnamon Whisky
Bulldog Gin
Chauhan Ale and Masala House
City House
Código Tequila
Dick’s Last Resort
Edley’s Bar-B-Que
Flip Burger Boutique
Frothy Monkey
I love Juice Bar
Kayne Prime
Kickin’ Coffee and Tea
Krispy Kreme
Little Debbie
Local Taco
MATI Energy Drink
Moto Cucina + Enoteca
Nashville Sweets
Noshville Deli
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Olive & Sinclair Chocolate Co.
Padrino’s Pops
Paul’s Chocolate
Pickers Vodka
Pinewood Social
Rodizio Grill
Saint Anejo
Sambuca
Seersucker Candy Co.
Silo
Table 3
TailGate Beer
Tavern
Taziki’s
Tempered Café & Chocolate
The Bridge at Renaissance Hotel
The Honeysuckle
The Hook
The Melting Pot
Trattoria II Mulino
Virago
Vui’s Kitchen
Whiskey Kitchen
Whisper Creek
Wildhorse Saloon
SPONSORS
UBS - Presenting Sponsor
AJAX Turner
Allen Printing
Barefoot Wine & Bubbly
Benefit Communication, Inc.
Best Brands, Inc
Blue Chair Bay Rum
Brand Imaging Group
Brasfield & Gorrie
Classic Party Rentals
Coca-Cola
DEX Imaging
FedEx
Frugal MacDoogal
Horizon Wine & Spirits
Humphreys & Partners Architects
IronHorse Capital Management
Langley Property Group
Lewis Communications
Nashville Event Lighting
Neely Coble Company
Clint Newman, DDS
Park ‘N Fly
Service Systems Associates
Sunrise Contracting
Tennessee Titans
53
PAWS &
J
V
C
IL
LE
O
SH
IE
NA
TY
S
CL
W
S,
AW
A
54 | Donor Society
ZO
O DONO
R
S
CLAWS, PAWS & JAWS DONOR SOCIETY
Over the past 15 years, Nashville Zoo’s Claws, Paws and Jaws Society (CPJ) has been our most dedicated group of
supporters, playing an invaluable role in the growth and expansion of the Zoo. CPJ donors contribute $1,000 to $100,000+
annually and are valued members of our Zoo family because of their incredible support and interest in our programs
and growth.
Anonymous
Ellen and Steve Adams
Tina and Jeff Adams
Elizabeth and Clark Akers
Sharon Albers and Ravi Chari
Honey and Lamar Alexander
Lin and Bill Andrews
Irene M. Archambault
Cynthia and David Arnholt
Colleen Atwood and Beth Dorminey
Sinclair Baldassari & B. Gordon Dickey
Jean Ann and Barry Banker
Christen and Cole Barfield
Mary and H. Lee Barfield II
Mary Lee and Steve Bartlett
Holly and David Baulch
Joanne and Robert E. Baulch, Jr.
Ramona and Robert E. Baulch III
Kelley and Lee Beaman
Melissa and Rob Beckham
Sarah and Jordan Berlin
Janie and John Berry
Clay Blevins
Jean and Denny Bottorff
Judith and Richard Bracken
Andrea Conte and Phil Bredesen
Barbara and Kix Brooks
Cathy and Martin Brown, Jr.
Kathryn and David Brown
Martin S. Brown
Karen Bruton
Ann and Frank Bumstead
Nancy and Jeff Bunting
Janie and Brandon Busbee
John Eddie Cain III
Alaine and Dominic Calvani
Jeanie and Bill Cammack
Valerie and Patrick Canning
Andrea and Richard Carlton
Joanne Cato
Mary and Joe Cavarra
Joan and Will Cheek
Lisa and Jamie Cheek
Nicky and James Cheek III
Renee Chevalier
Sally and Neely Coble III
Chase Cole
Amy and Overton Colton
John Colton
Stephanie and Forrest Conner
Ashley and Joe Cook
Kim and Charles Crews
Kelly and Richard Crook
Katie and Kevin Crumbo
Mary Britton and Jody Cummings
Linda and Mike Curb
Agneta and Brownlee Currey, Jr.
Laura and Brad Currie
Lauren and Spence Curry
Ann and Kirby Davis, Jr.
Douglas Dehart
Kim and Eddie DeMoss
Ruth Dennis
Kathryn and Fred Dettwiller
Betty and Marty Dickens
Debbie and Jim Dickson
Becky Diggs
Elizabeth and William Drewry
Jennifer and Cliff Duffey
Pam and Foster Dugas
Laura and Wayne Dugas
Trisha and Chuck Elcan
Anita Elliott
Donna and Jeff Eskind
Laurie and Steve Eskind
Martha and Mark Ezell
Carole and John Ferguson
Tory and Will Fitzgibbon
Lily and Caleb Followill
Kerry Foth
Babs and Bill Freeman
Dottie Frist
Elizabeth and Bryan Frist
Jennifer and Billy Frist
Julie and Tommy Frist III
Karyn Frist
Tracy and Bill Frist
Trish and Tommy Frist, Jr.
Barbara and Herb Fritch
Marie and Kevin Gangaware
Amy and Frank Garrison
Mandy and Chris Genovese
Krysta and Andrew Giacobone
Amy Grant and Vince Gill
Deana and Fred Goad
Bernice and Joel Gordon
Julie and Bob Gordon
Kat and Jeff Greene
Barbara and Greg Hagood
Connie and Carl Haley
Andrea and Scott Hardy
Patricia and Rodes Hart
Dee and Jimmy Haslam
Natalie and Jim Haslam
Tricia and William Hastings
Joanne and Mike Hayes
Ashley and Jeff Heeren
L.O. Heidtke
Terri and Bob Hensley
Ellen and Russell Hickey
Jere Hinman
Melanie and Doug Hirt
Rebecca and John Howard
Sally and Jim Hunt
Betsy and Jim Hunt, Jr.
Suzanne Iler
Beth and Preston Ingram
Martha R. Ingram
Sarah and David Ingram
Stephanie and John Ingram
Bud Ireland
Gail and Jeff Jacobs
Angela Jefferson
Denice and Milton Johnson
Edie and David Johnson
Kerrie and John T. Johnson, Jr.
Barbara and David Jones
Janice and Jamie Jones
Daynise and Bardell Joseph
Susan and Bill Joy
Rosemarie and Raymond Kalil
Rita and Mike Kaplan
Corinne and Brock Kidd
Nora and Kent Kirby
Darlene and Tom Klaritch
Sherri Smith and Dean Knoll
Traci and Art Laffer
Janice and Randy LaGasse
Laura and William Lawson
Elizabeth and Mike Lewis
Susan and Steve Lewis
Patti and Don Liedtke
Dawn and Randall Linn
Mary Ann and Sam Lipshie
Lisa and Jim Littlejohn
Heather and Jim Loden
Shelley and Gage Logan
Tom Loventhal
Samantha and John Lueken
Maxine and Frank Majors
Lisa and David Manning
Kris and Alex Marks
Brenda and Charley Martin
Ellen Martin
Shannon and Charlie Martin
Susie and Steve Mathews
Reba and Rodgar McCalmon
Neely and Frank McGrew
Ann Marie and Martin McNamara
Adrienne and Richard McRae
Lynn and Ken Melkus
Michael Modrak
Karen and Bruce Moore
Teresa and Mike Nacarato
Darlene Nall
Valerie and Bill Nichols
Nancy and Ty Osman
Judy and Sam Owen
Kim and Brad Paisley
Elizabeth and Larry Papel
Donor Society / Golf Classic |
GOLF CLASSIC
The 24th Annual Golf Classic took place at The
Golf Club of Tennessee in Kingston Springs on
May 2, 2016. Thirty teams enjoyed a round of golf,
putting contest and lunch supporting the Zoo.
Anne Parsons
Robin and Richard Patton
Pam and Philip Pfeffer
Cammy and Roger Price
Ping and Dick Ragsdale
Ramsey and Chris Raybeck
Leigh and Brian Reames
Brenda and Colin Reed
Katie and Mike Regan
Carol and Allen Reynolds
Stephanie and David Richardson
Jan and Steve Riven
Amy Robertson
Tiffany and Joe Don Rooney
Anne and Charles Roos
Kim and J.D. Rosdeutscher
Anne and Joe Russell
Brenda and Ruble Sanderson
Dorothy and Joe Scarlett
Lynn and Rick Scarola
Susannah and Zulu Scott-Barnes
Laurie and Jim Seabury
Mary Cook Singleton
Beverly and Jimmy Small
Patti and Brian Smallwood
Linda and Gibbs Smith
Mandy and Brandt Snedeker
Leah and Jim Sohr
Lyn and Scott Sohr
Joanne and Joe Sowell
Christi and Richard Speer
Shirley and Stuart Speyer
Julie and George Stadler
Janet and William Stead
Brenda and Joe Steakley
Marianne and Andrew Stoll
Hettie and Ed Stuart
Melanie and Doug Hirt
Jackie and DeWitt Thompson IV
Currey and Wade Thornton
Ellen and Joe Torrence
Abby and Doug Trotter
Barbara and Rick Turner
Christi and Jay Turner
Laura Turner
Linda and Lester Turner
Maggi and Cal Turner, Jr.
Alice Hinton and Peter Van Lingen
Catherine and Chris Vrettos
Nancy and Robert Wahl
Julie and Breck Walker
Anne and Jake Wallace
Becky and Jimmy Webb
Brenda and Phil Wenk
Beth and Kevin West
Julia and Chris Whitson
Margaret and David Wiley, Jr.
Gail and David Williams
Irene and Ridley Wills II
K. Janelle Wilson
Dallas and Fleming Wilt
Matthew Wyatt
Mary Lou and Steve Zagorski
Barbara and Bud Zander
55
GOLF CLASSIC CHAIRS
Will Fitzgibbon
Richard Patton
Breck Walker
EVENT SPONSORS
CapWealth Advisors - Presenting
Brand Imaging Group
Debbie and Summer Bryan
Coca-Cola
Crichton Group
Cumberland Architectural
Millwork, Inc.
Franklin American Mortgage Company
FreshPoint Tomato
Hannah Constructors
Nashville Machine
Clint Newman, DDS
Cammy Price
Service Systems Associates
Sports Seasons
Stradis Healthcare
56 | Cumulative Giving
CUMULATIVE GIVING
We thank the following individuals and organizations for their support
of Nashville Zoo in 2016.
$5,000,000+
The Frist Foundation
$1,000,000+
The Bracken Foundation
HCA
$100,000 - $999,999
Kathryn and David Brown
Andrea Waitt Carlton Family Foundation
Dugas Family Foundation
Jim and Sally Hunt
Sarah and David Ingram, The David B. Ingram Advised Fund*
Gail and Jeff Jacobs
The Memorial Foundation
Leah and Jim Sohr Family Foundation
Cal Turner Family Foundation
Jim and Becky Webb
$25,000 - $99,999
Anonymous
Cynthia and David Arnholt
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Cammack, Cammack Family Advised Fund*
Charles, Kim and Charlie Crews
Kelly and Richard Crook
Joel and Bernice Gordon
Patricia and Rodes Hart
Haslam 3 Foundation
Haslam Family Foundation
Lisa and David L. Manning
Adrienne and Richard McRae, The Selby and
Richard McRae Foundation
Pilot Flying J
Mr. and Mrs. Brian S. Smallwood
$10,000 - $24,999
Advance Financial
All About Animals LLC
CapWealth Advisors
The Children’s Hospital at TriStar Centennial
Cigna HealthSpring
Kevin and Katie Crumbo
Agneta and Brownlee Currey Jr.
Laurie and Steven Eskind
FedEx
Jennifer and Billy Frist
Marie and Kevin Gangaware
Bob and Julie Gordon
Terri and Bob Hensley
Hulu/Magnetic Collaborative
*The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
Kent, Nora and Emme Kirby
M.L. Rose Craft Beer & Burgers
Kris and Alex Marks
Reba and Rodgar McCalmon
Melkus Family Foundation
Ragsdale Family Foundation
Regions Bank
Service Systems Associates
Irvin and Beverly Small Foundation
Southern ICEE
SunTrust Bank
SunTrust Foundation
UBS Financial Services Inc.
Julie and Breck Walker
Julia and Chris Whitson
$5,000 - $9,999
Anonymous (2)
American Paper & Twine
Baulch Family Foundation
Benefit Communications Inc.
Valerie and Patrick Canning
Sally and Neely Coble III
Mr. John O. Colton, The John and Julia Colton Family Advised Fund*
Delta Dental of Tennessee
Samuel M. Fleming Foundation
Franklin American Mortgage Company
The Dorothy Cate & Thomas F. Frist Foundation
Julie and Tommy Frist III
L.O. Heidtke
Humphreys & Partners Architects
Stephanie and John Ingram, The John R. Ingram Advised Fund*
Jewish Federation of Nashville & Middle TN
The Kroger Community Advised Fund*
The Barbara J. Mapp Foundation
Susie and Steve Mathews
Middle Tennessee Cage Bird Club, Inc.
Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation
Nashville Machine
Neely Coble Company
Elizabeth and Larry Papel
Park ‘N Fly
Cammy and Roger Price
Ryman Hospitality Properties Foundation
Mandy and Brandt Snedeker
Janet and William Stead
Sunrise Contracting, Inc.
Tennessee Titans
Laura Turner
Irene and Ridley Wills II
Cumulative Giving |
$2,500 - $4,999
AT&T
The Atticus Trust
Baby+Company
Sarah and Jordan Berlin
Brasfield & Gorrie
Ann and Frank Bumstead
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
Crichton Group
Crittenden Foundation
Katie and Kevin Crumbo
Disney’s Pete’s Dragon
Disney’s Zootopia
Elizabeth and William Drewry
Tory and Will Fitzgibbon
Kerry Foth
Ms. Karyn M. Frist, Karyn McLaughlin Frist Fund*
Herb Fritch Family Foundation
Krysta and Andrew Giacobone
The Goddard School
Joel and Bernice Gordon Family Foundation
Kat and Jeff Greene
Hannah Constructors, LLC
Andrea and Scott Hardy
HCA Foundation
Beth and Preston Ingram
Martha Rivers Ingram Advised Fund*
IronHorse Capital Management
Live Nation Worldwide, Inc.
*The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
Shelley and Gage Logan
The Logan Group of Raymond James
Samantha and John Lueken
Adrienne and Richard McRae
Nashville Predators Foundation
Robin and Richard Patton
Publix Super Markets Charities
Ridgeview Foundation
Shirley and Stuart Speyer, Shirley and Stuart Speyer Family Fund*
State Farm
Barbara and Rick Turner
The Vitamin Shoppe
$1,000 - $2,499
Mr. and Mrs. Steven R. Adams, Steve and Ellen Adams 2004 Donor Advised Fund*
Tina and Jeff Adams
Elizabeth and Clark Akers
AmSurg
Sally Smith Anderson
Lin and Bill Andrews
Irene M. Archambault
Jean Ann and Barry Banker
Bargain Hunt
Bass Berry & Sims
Lisa and Lyle Beasley
Clay Blevins
Blue Chair Bay Rum
Andrea Conte and Phil Bredesen
Regan and Patrick Brinker
Karen Bruton
Nancy and Jeff Bunting
Susan and Kent Burns
Janie and Brandon Busbee
John Eddie Cain III
Capital Alignment Partners
Kathy and Crom Carmichael
Carvana
Joanne Cato
Mary and Joe Cavarra
Sharon Albers and Ravi Chari
Joan and Will Cheek
Lisa and Jamie Cheek
Renee Chevalier
Christie Cookies
Phillip Clendenin
Allie and Edward Coble
Linda J. Cochran
Chase Cole
Amy and Overton Colton
Compassus
Ashley and Joe Cook
Mary and James Costner
Mary Britton and Jody Cummings
Anne Davis and Karl Dean
Kim and Eddie DeMoss
Ruth Dennis
Conde and Brian Devine
Betty and Marty Dickens
Becky Diggs
Dollar General Corporation
Jennifer and Cliff Duffey
Eagle Creek Foundation
Missy and John Eason
EBS Foundation
Susan Edwards
Trisha and Chuck Elcan
The Jeffrey and Donna Eskind Family Foundation
Martha and Mark Ezell
Carole and John Ferguson
Karen and Gene Fleming
Johanna and Matthew Followill
Frasier Dean and Howard
Cynthia and Ed Freeman
FreshPoint Tomato
Mr. and Mrs. Bryan E. Frist, The Elizabeth and Bryan E. Frist Fund*
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Frist, Jr.
Genesco
Mandy and Chris Genovese
Ann and Joe Gilbert
Goad Family Foundation
Google, Inc.
Gwen and Frank Gordon
Grand Avenue Chauffeured Transportation
Barbara and Greg Hagood
Connie and Carl Haley
57
58 | Cumulative Giving
($1,000 - $2,499 continued)
Hall Strategies
Lisa and John Henderson
Ellen and Russell Hickey
Melanie and Doug Hirt
Suzanne Iler
Sarah and David Ingram
Bud Ireland
Denice and Milton Johnson
Edie and David Johnson
Kerrie and John T. Johnson Jr.
Barbara and David Jones
Janice and Jamie Jones
Daynise and Bardell Joseph
Susan and Bill Joy
Rosemarie and Raymond Kalil
Rita and Mike Kaplan
Donna and Mike Kestner
Darlene and Tom Klaritch
Traci and Arthur Laffer
Janice and Randolph LaGasse
Cara Ryckman and Joseph Land
Land of Nod
Langley Property Group
Laura and William Lawson
Daryl Brown and John Lewis
Pam Lewis Foundation
Patti and Don Liedtke
Dawn and Randall Linn
Tom Loventhal
Maxine and Frank Majors
Brenda and Charley Martin
Neely and Frank McGrew
Ann Marie and Martin McNamara
Sharalena and Richard Miller
Michael Modrak
Karen and Bruce Moore
MSB Cockayne Fund, Inc.
Darlene Nall
Nashville Electric Service
Nashville Smile Team
Clint Newman, DDS
Valerie and Bill Nichols
Nancy and Ty Osman
Judy and Sam Owen
Anne Parsons
Sara Craig Perry
Pam and Philip Pfeffer
Beverly and Jack Polson
Purity Foundation
Ramsey and Chris Raybeck
Leigh and Brian Reames
Mr. and Mrs. Colin Reed, Brenda and Colin Reed Advised Fund*
Katie and Mike Regan
Thomas Repass
Stephanie and David Richardson
Melissa and Tony Rodriguez
Tiffany and Joe Don Rooney
Anne and Charles Roos
Kim and J.D. Rosdeutscher
Anne and Joe Russell
Sue and Stan Ruta
Brenda and Ruble Sanderson
Cile and Pride Scanlan
Laurie and Jim Seabury
Cindy Shafer
Shelves that Slide
Sherrard & Roe
Estate of Stephanie M. Shults
Mary Cook Singleton
Ms. Sherri Smith, Gary W. Smith Memorial Fund*
Shirley and Stuart Speyer
Sunny and Butch Spyridon
The Julia Carell Stadler Foundation
Brenda and Joe Steakley
Tom Steele
Ann and Willy Stern
Sarah Streicker
Kellye and Gary Stuart
T & T Family Foundation
Team Electrical Contracting, Inc.
Jackie and DeWitt Thompson IV
Melanie and Kerr Tigrett
Ellen and Joe Torrence
TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center
UBS Community Affairs and Corporate
Responsibility, Americas
United Way of Metropolitan Nashville
Erica and McArthur VanOsdale
Nancy and Robert Wahl
Anne and Jake Wallace
Brenda and Phil Wenk
Karen and Jeremy Werthan
Cindy and David Wilds
Gail and David Williams
K. Janelle Wilson
Miranda and Terry Wong
Jessica and Lee Woosley
Mr. Matthew W. Wyatt, Matthew W. Wyatt
Advised Fund*
Mary Lou and Steve Zagorski
Barbara and Bud Zander
Cumulative Giving | 59
$500 - $999
Beth and Dave Alexander
Kathryn and Craig Andreen
Lydia and George Armistead
Paula and William Barkley
Guy Barnard
Kelley and Lee Beaman
Merritt and Nathaniel Beaver
Janie and John Berry
Jill M. Birdsong
Julie and Frank Boehm
Angela and Jerry Bostelman
Colleen Bracken
Pat and Phil Bressman
Debbie and Summer Bryan
Sandy Bumbalough
Lauren Carpenter Caldwell
J.G. Clayton
Juliet Griffin and Al Cocke
Suann and Ralph Davis
Sinclair Baldassari and Gordon Dickey
Clokie and Brian Dixon
Melanie Stokes Donohue
Alberta and Bob Doochin
Kathy and Mike Dorr
Laura and Wayne Dugas
*The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
Cathy and Van East
Donna and Stephen Englert
Lee Emerson and Ray Enochs
Kathleen and Alec Estes
Kate and Steven Ezell
Reagan Fairbairn
Andrea Finch
Martha Fouce
Doug Franck
Ashley and Bernard Freeland
Franci Fuzzell
Beth and Luke Gebhard
Meri Gordon
Michael Gorney
Linda Grochowski
John Harrington
Joanne and Mike Hayes
Elaine Heard
James Henderson
Amber and Phil Hertik
Meredith and Jay Hollomon
Kelly Hoover
Lauren and Jeremy Jeter
H.D. Kidd
Peggy and Randy Kinnard
Kaye and Ron Knox
Elizabeth and Mike Lewis
Meredith and Corey Lile
Melissa and Chris Lind
Katherine Madden
Mary and Austin Maddox
Kaaren and Ben May
Mark McCollow
Caroline and Robert McNeilly
Sanders and Matt Miller
Sarah and Jeff Moats
Sammie Mosier
Jim Munro
Blair and Davis Murfree
Catharine and Patrick Murphy
Laura and Charles Niewold
Brenda and Bryan Oslin
Arnita and Tim Ozgener
Kathryn and Harry Peffen
Peffen Cline Masonry Group, Inc.
Jennifer Radcliffe
Tara Roach
Heather Robertson
Heather and Drew Rogers
Kathy Rolfe
Mr. and Mrs. David Rollins, David and Mary
Rollins Advised Fund*
Linda Rue
Robin and Gary Satyshur
Kim Hewell and Norm Scarborough
Amanda and Logan Sekulow
Mary Singleton
Janna and Brooks Smith
Linda and Gibbs Smith
Joanne and Joe Sowell
Frances and Jimmy Spradley
Perian and Sam Strang IV
The Taylor Family Charitable Fund
Melody Telfer
Tennessee Foundation Services
William Townsend
Christi and Jay Turner
Bill Vaughn
Village Real Estate Advised Fund*
Cris and Parker Whitlock
David Williams
Brigid and John Woodbury
Jennifer and Keith Woodruff
60 | Cumulative Giving
$250 - $499
Anonymous
Aetna Foundation
Julie and Dale Allen
Tara Allen
Mary and Jim Armistead
Phyllis Vaughn and Bill Armistead
Kelly Birdwell and Eric Austin
Shaila and Brandon Bannock
Shannon and Mick Beisel
Belle Meade Chiropractic Center
Claire and Drew Berg
Deborah Best
Allison and Greg Blanford
Sharon and Mark Blaze
Tanya and Seton Bonney
Dixie and Bob Boston
Ashley and Will Brockman
Paula and Kim Brown
Ann and Alex Buchanan
Mary and Ben Byrd
Starling Davis and David Clark
Rosalind and John Connor
John Cooper
Holly and Ben Couch III
Kristen and Jonathan Crawford
Cumberland Architectural Millwork, Inc
Carolyn and John Dalton
Julie and Peter Damp
Stephen Daves
Ann and Kirby Davis, Jr.
Phronsie Dial
Cindi and David Dingler
Julie Dretler
Amy Eskind
Todd Fogelberg
Jessie and Nathan Followill
Thomas Fouce
Allison and Andrew Fowler
Roe Frazier
Margaret Freeman
Dara and Craig Freiberg
Janna and Mark Gillespie
Martha and Matt Gorham
Talbott Grimm
Elizabeth and Rodney Gunderson
Brittany and Ben Hanback
Cordia and Tom Harrington
Robert Harris
Karly and Clay Hart
Kimberli Hart
Jim Hea
Jennifer Hill
Lisanne and John Hitt
Kim and Jimmy Holbrook
Seth Huber
Pilar and Lanson Hyde
Martha and Gavin Ivester
Julia Johnson
Diana Kerrigan
DJ Kreal
Stephanie and Nathan Kurita
Emily and William Kurtz
Rebecca and Craig Laine
Matt LaPlaca
Cindy and Chuck Lassing
Katherine Leeper
John Maki
Nicholas Matala
Debbie Mathews
Catherine Stober and James McAteer
Wendy McCooey
Keith and Steve McCord
Anne Elizabeth McIntosh
Ann McKinney
Eric Melcher
Paige and Henry Menge
Tom Miller
Robert Minton
Karen Mirzoian
Carolyn and Geary Moore
Anne Murphy
Whitney and Matt Musser
Christopher Nease
Ray Neff
Amy and Jason Nelson
Megan and Dan Neumann
Sally and William Norton
Lindsey and Matthew Overbay
Rob Peebles
Chelsea Preisler
Christopher Prest
Ping and Dick Ragsdale
Jonathan Rathgeber
Sarah and Rick Reisner
George Ritzen
Delphine and Kenneth Roberts
Kelly and Wesley Roberts
Martin Roberts
Casey Robertson
Justin Rogers
Stacy and Jeff Rothenberger
Melinda Sava
Cindy and Tom Schiller
Amanda and David Schwartz
Teri Seabrook
Beth and Charles Sell
Chris Sigmund
Lorien and John Sites
Jennifer Skelton
Belinda Darlene Smith
Judi and Paul Smith
Stradis Healthcare
Kathy and Tom Stumb
Stephanie and Jon Sundock
James Terrell
Pat Tigrett
Jennifer Vazquez
Veterinary Ophthalmology Services
Emily Walker
Emily and Patrick Walsh
Mary Weaver
Jessica and Ed White
Jodi and Chase Wilkinson
Katherine and Jacob Wilson
Kevin Wilson
Mary and Paul Wilson
Jerry Wimberly
Laurie Yee
Cumulative Giving |
$1 - $249
Anonymous (8)
Elizabeth and Timothy Adgent
David Allen
Chris Andrews
Tara and Ben Armistead
Charliene and Phil Armstrong
Jo and Raul Ascunle
Kelly Babcock
Elizabeth Bailes
Samuel Baker
John Ballard
Cathy and Donald Barnett
Reca Barwin
Edith Bass
Mary and William Bates
Susan and Stephen Batiste
Brittany Baugh
Laura Bearden
Amanda Bell
Delilah Bennett
Michelle and Gordon Bennett
Laura Benson
Dena and Charles Bentley
Kathy Bentley
Alex Bettis
Cathey Blackburn
Leah Blackmore
Mitzi Blair
Sarah Fairbank and Chip Blaufuss
Katie Bone
Dave Bordenkircher
LeAnne and Chad Bottorff
Jessica and Charles Boyd IV
Caitlin Bradley
Jenny and Kenneth Breeden
Nadia Brigham
Margaret Brock
*The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
Nancy Brock
Wendy and Craig Brooks
Nathan Brown
Julian Brumit
Bryant Family Foundation
Lacey and Matthew Bulow
William Burns
Jamie and Charles Burroughs
Anne Bush
Ann Caldwell
Lin and Larry Campbell
Barbara Cannon
Taralyn Carrie
Jennifer and Robert Carter
Kathy and Jeff Cartwright
Lindsay Cox and Michael Centi
Arianne Chaisson
Donna and Will Chapman
The Charitable Giving Card Program*
Susan Charnley
Barbara and Eric Chazen
Ruthie and Charles Cherry
Sarah Cherry
Sue Clark
Lydia and Mark Cobb
Cecil and Kent Coleman
Jessica Cornett
Mary Brenna and Cliff Corr
Jan Crean
Allison Cunningham
Scarlett Cunningham
Eugenia Daniel
Beth Davidson
Charles Davidson
Elizabeth Davis
Nia Davis
Delek Fund of Hope*
Lee Anne and Michael Demere
Betty and Vernon Denney
Barbara and Mark Dentz
Robert Devitz
Laura Dieckhaus
Iavor Dihonov
Cheryl Dokes
Alison Douglas
Denise Due Goodwin
Timothy Durham
Frances Duvall
Rob Eakin
Connie and Clifford Eisaman
David Ellis
Jane and Richard Eskind and Family Foundation*
Megan Estes
Emmett Fisher
Mia and Jeff Fleetwood
Byran and Mallory Fort
Louise B. Frazer Foundation
Jennifer Galligan
Traci Gawarecki
Sandra Gillaspie
Lucie Glass
Eleanor Goldman
Jody and Ryan Goodenow
Katherine Grace
Grapevine Garden Club
Shallon Gray
Evan Gregory
Matt Griffith
Sandra Groves
Kristina Gudiel
Taylor and Rich Guglielmo
Albert Hacker
John Haines
Blake Hall
Beverly Hand
Carol and Charles Hankla
Kevin Hanscomb
Bill Haralson
Amelia Harvey
Billie Haws
Carey and David Haynes
Allison Hearon
Kelly Hedrick
Margaret Henson
Eileen and Sal Hernandez
Helen Herring
Joyce Hitt
Dionne and James Holcombe
Melissa Houston
Cynthia and Ronald Howes
Hudson Family Charitable Foundation
Elizabeth Huggins
John Hutchinson
Mary Jean Imai
Joseph Ingalise
Kyle Jacobs
Julie Jelf
Tyler Johns
Freida Johnson
Kolonda Johnson
Susan Johnston
Lynne Falk and Chris Jones
Gena Jones
Kevin C. Jones
Sarah Jones
The Jones Company of Tennessee, LLC
Leanne and Eric Kane
Michelle Kearney
Janice Hardrath and Ron Kempf
Carole Kenner
Kelly Kerley
Callie Kestner
Anna Kinlaw
Elizabeth Kirby
61
62 | Cumulative Giving
($1 - $249 continued)
Melinda Kommavongsa
Kelsie Krantz
Matthew La Placa
Patricia Latham
Mackenzie Lee
Laura Gray and Warren Lee
Ashley and Ronnie Leftwich
Mike Lewis
Sarah Lingo
Linkedin Matching Gifts Program
Little Bits Nashville
Samantha Lobenstein
Amanda Lutes
Meredith MacLeod
Brittany Macon
Parry and Jimmy Marks
Margaret and Phil Martin
Barbara Mathieson
Abhishek Mathur
Jennifer and Shane McClure
Barbara Mcdonald
Jessica Doss and Corbin McGrath
Jac and Robby Menish
Kate Meriwether
Jason Miller
Tomer Minuskin
Aubrey and Joseph Montana
Fayetta and Ray Moore
Stephanie Moore
Sarah Morgan
Beth and Adam Moser
Charles Musto
*The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
Camilla Neal
Chelsey and Barrett Nearn
Shalimar Nelson
Amber Niazi
James Nichnadowicz
Nissan North America Inc.
Matthew Oglesby
Margaret and Steve Orthwein
Molly O’Shaughnessy
Kristen Oslin
Lori and Chris Pace
Delores and George Palmer
Bob and Adrienne Parker Advised Fund*
Chelsea Parker
Roberta Partin
Jeffery Humble and Jason Pate
Deven Patel
Stephanie and William Patrick
Gavin Pawlik
Tetyana and Vadim Pedchenko
Katie and Matthew Peninger
Cindy and Lee Peterson
Laura Pnewski
Sandra and Marshall Polk
Print Counts
Allison Pulcini
Powell Regen
Carly Richardson
Ursula and Eric Richardson
Jacki Robert
Jean and Frank Robertson
Camile Rogers
Gerlinda and David Roland
Lauren and Christopher Rowe
Katie Ruiz
David Sampsell
Vicki and Edward Sargent
Libby and Matt Scanlan
Deborah Schneider
Schneider Electric North America Foundation
Jessi Scott
Rebecca Sempkowski
Velma and Jack Shaw
Hailey Lane Sheldon
Sheila Shell
Raina Shults
Caroline Sloan
Adam Slovis
Bob Dudley Smith Fund & Jeanne Evans Smith*
Missey Smith
Kathryn Snyder
N. Sloane Sparks
Barbara Speyer
Janis Spivey
John Springer
Ginger and Lawrence Stephenson
Amanda Stieber
Gregg Stoll
Lauren Stout
Kelsey Strebler
Mary Stuck
Taco Express
Julia Talbert
Barbara Taller
Shannon Pruitt and Joe Tatarczuk
Elizabeth Teitzel
Melissa and Mark Thompson
Kori Williams and Peter Thompson
Quentin Thompson
Shelly Thorburn
Connie Thurman
Lori Tigert
Michelle Traveis
Ashley Travis
Keely Vonville
Margaret and Frank Wade
Madison Wagener
Diana Wallace
Amy Walter
Barbara Watkins
Ashley Webb
Stephanie Weeden-Wright
Sherry and Dudley West
Emily West
Sandra White
Janis Whittle
Shannon Wilkinson
Elysia Williams
Nicole Williams
Bo Wood
Yolonda and Felix Wood
Lori Wynn
Michelle Yoder
Pamela Yoder
Mandy and Stephen Young
William Zeigler
Gregory Zuendt
Cumulative Giving |
IN HONOR OF
Kerry Foth
Sylvia Molitor
Robin and Richard Patton
Battle Davis Springer
Gray Brantley Springer
Julie W. Walker
IN MEMORY OF
Dr. James Brakefield
Frank Campbell
Patricia Colton
Joseph A. Dimaggio
Stephanie and Justin Shults
Hayes Noel Springer
Al Wolczyk
IN KIND
Ajax Turner
Allen Printing
American Association of Zookeepers, Nashville Chapter
Anchor Transportation
Barefoot Wine & Bubbly
Bass Pro Shops
Best Brands, Inc.
Brand Imaging Group
Classic Party Rentals
Coca-Cola
Creation Gardens
Czann’s Brewery
DEX Imaging
*The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
Earl Swensson Associates, Inc.
Edley’s Barbeque
Firehouse Subs
Frugal MacDoogal
Golden Flake
Grand Avenue Chauffeured Transportation
Horizon Wine & Spirits
Irwin Entertainment
Jeni’s Ice Cream
Jive!
Suzanne Justis
Krispy Kreme
Lewis Communications
Little Debbie
Loveless Café
M.L. Rose
Midmark
Jennifer and William Moseley
Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation
Nashville Event Lighting
Nashville Originals
Nashville Running Company
Nashville Shores
Nashville Veterinary Specialists
Phillips Toy Mart
Purity Dairies
Rhizome Productions
Service Systems Associates
TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center
Sport Seasons
Sprinkles Cupcakes
Strategic Hospitality Partners
Target
Tennessee Clean Water Network
The Crag
The Escape Game
Trim Nashville
Kristina Tucker
Veterinary Ophthalmology Services Inc.
Vui’s Kitchen
Iris and Peter Zinni
2016 EVENT & PROGRAM SPONSORS
Boo at the Zoo
Children’s Hospital at TriStar Centennial (Presenting)
Classic Party Rentals
Delta Dental of Tennessee
Golden Flake
Irwin Entertainment
Langley Property Group
Publix Super Markets Charities
State Farm
Tennessee Foundation Services
Brew at the Zoo
M. L. Rose Craft Beer & Burgers (Presenting)
Ajax Turner
Anchor Transportation
Carvana
Jive!
Park ‘N Fly
Red, White, and Zoo
Ajax Turner
Classic Party Rentals
Sprinkles Cupcakes
State Farm
63
Rockin’ For Rhinos
Belle Meade Chiropractic Center
Nashville Smile Team
Shelves that Slide, Inc.
Village Real Estate Advised Fund*
Zoo Run Run
Ajax Turner
Creation Gardens
The Goddard School
Logan Group of Raymond James
The Vitamin Shoppe
Additional Presenting Sponsors
Advance Financial - Zoo Teen Programs
Cigna HealthSpring - Senior Day
Kroger Community Advised Fund*- Safari Fridays
Regions Bank - Military Appreciation Day
Southern ICEE - Ice Day and Zoovie Nights
SunTrust Bank - Onsite Education
SunTrust Foundation - Onsite Education
Additional Program Sponsors
AT&T
Baby+Company
Disney’s Pete’s Dragon
Disney’s Zootopia
Hulu
Land of Nod
Langley Property Group
Nashville Electric Service
Ryman Hospitality Properties Foundation
64 | Photo Credits
Nashville Zoo is proud to report that in 2016, we were one of
only 49 charities nationwide to receive a perfect score in Charity
Navigator’s annual assessment of non-profits. No other zoo
received a rating of this caliber!
A perfect score shows that we are executing our mission in a
fiscally responsible manner, while providing the highest level of
accountability and transparency to our stakeholders.
PHOTO CREDITS
Matt Andrews
Rachel Baldwin
Jim Bartoo
Austin Bass
Deni Bechard, GRACE
Jake Belair
Andrew Bodsford
Lauren Butler
Lenae Byrd
Ashley Claggett
Tori Dodds
Marty Fitzpatrick
Katie Gregory
Caitlin Harris
Ashley Harrison
Amanda Hopper
Eddie Johnson
Traci Kimble
Melinda Kommavongsa
Vince Ludovissy
Wendy Martinie
Tori Mason
Music City Aerial
Peter Meadows
Shivaling Nimbargi
Becca Norton
Valerie Porter
David Pyle
Chris Radek
Dr. Heather Robertson
Meg Sagi
Joel Sartore
Christian Sperka
Amiee Stubbs
Heather Thieling
Quentin Thompson
Pujita Venkat
Kelsey White
Mary Glynn Williamson
Pete Zaharopoulos
Nathan Zucker
66 |
3777 Nolensville Pike | Nashville, TN 37211
www.nashvillezoo.org
Accredited by the