From the News: St. Louis Zoo Attracts Almost 53,000 Members - A Record!

St. Louis Zoo Attracts Almost 53,000 Members - A Record!

Ok, I grant you, membership is not a very exciting thing to write about (or, from your perspective, read about, I'm sure).  My first reaction upon skimming this was, "Who Cares?"  Then, I realized, that I already had an answer - about 53,000 zoo members.

Membership is more than a fundraising gimmick, or a way for parents to save a little cash when taking their kids to the zoo a few times a year.  It's about building relationships between zoos and the communities that support them.  When people pony up for a zoo or aquarium membership, they are doing it because they are invested in the zoo, because they care about it.  Sure, many folks do it because it saves them some money in the long term.  That's okay - what is important is that it gets them involved in the zoo.

Our members are our number one audience for conservation and education messages.  They are the ones that we write to with newsletters and emails to share the news of every birth, hatching, and acquisition.  They are the ones that we talk to about our conservation initiatives, both in the zoo and afield.  And the best part is  that THEY are the ones that help make it happen!  A zoo member may be a banker, a lawyer, a doctor, or a  stay at home parent, but when they support their zoo, they also become a conservationist.

Every zoo and aquarium professional should be an ambassador in their community, trying to drum up support for their institution.  That means encouraging folks to get involved at whatever level they feel most comfortable, including membership.  The bigger our support base, the more we can all accomplish.