2023 – 2027 STRATEGIC PLAN
OUR PURPOSE VISION The desired future reality towards which we strive
A flourishing planet where people and wildlife thrive together MISSION Our unique contribution to help bring our vision to life
Oakland Zoo deepens connection with animals, saves wildlife, and inspires champions for the natural world
PEOPLE
ANIMALS
PLANET
The Oakland Zoo proudly celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2022. As we look to the future, we recognize the need for a strategic plan that can respond to the changing world around us by creating a more accessible place for all people and a community-driven, conservation-minded focus. With the help of our guests, partners, members, volunteers, focus groups, a community survey with more than 11,000 responses, and our governing Board of Trustees, we worked diligently to identify our vision, refine our mission, and build our theory of change—and clarified key organizational priorities for the next four years. Our future direction is centered around the inextricable connections among animals, wildlife, and the natural environment. As such, this plan focuses on three areas — PEOPLE, ANIMALS, and PLANET. Through PEOPLE, we will seek to create an activated network of individuals, inspired and empowered to create their own methods and answers to a changing world. Through ANIMALS we will ensure that all animals in our care are healthy and thriving in upgraded and modernized facilities and through leading animal and veterinary care practices. Through PLANET, we will seek to save wildlife through our own initiatives, strong conservation alliances, and the support of our partners in the field. Many of the developments detailed in this plan will be carried out in concert with our long-range facilities plan, which dictates how our physical campus will expand over time. Together, these activities will help ensure many generations can continue to feel the awe and wonder of connecting with animals and in Taking Action for the betterment of our planet. With gratitude to our staff, board of trustees, volunteers, partners, and entire community,
Nik Dehejia Chief Executive Officer
Long-term Outcomes
Short-term Outcomes
Activities
THEORY OF CHANGE – CAUSAL CHAIN
PEOPLE
ANIMALS
PLANET
Empower & inspire champions • On-Site: Provide inspiring, engaging, and memorable experiences and programs about animals, climate change, and nature • Off-Site: Collaborate with local schools and communities to inspire action
Provide and promote high-quality animal care • Pioneer and implement new standards of animal care, sanctuary, rehabilitation, and rescue practices that improve animals’ physical and psychological wellbeing
Conserve wildlife and the natural environment • Provide care, release, and rewilding for animals rescued • Save wildlife through initiatives and amplify the work of conservation partners
• Through engaging, inspiring learning experiences, people feel greater connection to nature and feel empowered to take action to preserve the natural world
• Animal residents of the Zoo are healthy and thriving • Sanctuaries, rescues, and AZA accredited Zoos follow the lead of the Zoo, improving standards of care yearover-year
• Endangered species survive natural disasters and epidemics and experience less humanwildlife conflict • Species conservation initiatives have increased support to engage in impactful conservation work
• Communities assume their role as environmental stewards
• Animals under human care live whole, enriching lives
• Habitats thrive in a biodiverse world
OUR STRATEGIC FOCUS TO MAKE PROGRESS TOWARDS OUR VISION IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, WE WILL FOCUS ON FOUR PRIORITIES: PLANET, ANIMALS, CONSERVATION & OUR COMMUNITY PHASE I: ENGAGE & ALIGN
We will first ensure that we have a strong foundation from which to build PHASE II: INVEST & PILOT
Once we ensure that current activities are effective and well-resourced, we will invest in additional staff capacity and funds in piloting key activities that have the potential to deepen our impact PHASE III: BUILD & SCALE
Building upon our pilots, we will scale particularly effective and impactful activities and programs in order to better serve our four priorities
PRIORITY 1
Inspire Action for Animals and the Planet Through experiential learning and educational programs, we aim to connect people to the natural world and inspire them in Taking Action for animals and the planet. We will ensure every guest feels inspiration during their visit. We aspire to serve as a model organization, living our values by demonstrating our commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability. To inspire action for animals and the planet, we will: a. Enhance the guest experience and onsite learning b. Ensure that the Zoo is inclusive and accessible c. Embed Oakland Zoo in the greater Bay Area community d. Refine our approach to educational programming, both formal and informal
PRIORITY 2
Expand Leadership in Animal Care, Rescue, and Wellbeing Over the next four years, we will build upon our expertise and success in providing high-quality animal care and wellbeing to not only ensure resident animals receive the best care possible, but also so peer organizations can follow our lead. To expand leadership in animal care, rescue, and wellbeing, we will: a. Operate best-in-class animal wellbeing program b. Ensure environments enable all animals in our care to thrive c. Formalize and expand animal rescue and advocacy programs d. Disseminate learnings about animal wellbeing, veterinary health, rescue, and rehabilitation with key stakeholders
PRIORITY 3
Deepen our Conservation Impact We have steadfastly dedicated ourselves to local and global conservation efforts through our work on specific issues such as climate resilience, the illegal wildlife trade, and our focus on 15 key species. As we look towards the next four years, we aim to significantly deepen our impact and grow our conservation leadership. To deepen our conservation impact, we will: a. Develop a culture of conservation b. Build the capacity of a global conservation network c. Align conservation work with interpretive learning and engagement d. Update Oakland Zoo practices and policies to exemplify our sustainability values
PRIORITY 4
Enhance our Team Culture and Organizational Effectiveness Our first responsibility is to care for and invest in our staff, to strengthen both our organization and ultimately our City and community. Developing strong staff leadership and expertise will ensure we can fulfill our unique commitment to our animals, guests, and the wildlife and wild places we protect. To enhance our team culture and organizational effectiveness, we will: a. Invest in our people and strengthen our culture b. Improve our internal operations c. Improve our financial strength d. Finalize and execute on Oakland Zoo’s long-range facilities plan
SUMMARY Our Strategic Plan is a bold and ambitious roadmap towards achieving our vision of a sustainable world where people and wildlife can thrive together. It goes beyond just day-to-day operations and showcases who we are as an organization, our goals, and why we are committed to our mission. We will hold ourselves accountable through this plan and are confident in our abilities to achieve our strategic goals. The following key priorities will be our focus over the next four years: inspiring action for animals and the planet, expanding leadership in animal wellbeing and rescue, deepening our conservation impact, and enhancing our team culture and organizational effectiveness. Through this plan, we can set an industry-wide example by emphasizing the interconnectedness of animals, wildlife, and the natural environment, and we are fully committed to achieving this by 2027. With our strategic focus and phased approach, we are well-positioned to make a significant and positive impact on the natural world.
PEOPLE
ANIMALS
PLANET
9777 Golf Links Road Oakland, CA 94605 OAKLANDZOO.ORG