Just over one mile from the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus sits a lush, century old park in the heart of Madison. With Lake Wingra on one side and the quaint Greenbush neighborhood on the other, the Henry Vilas Zoo is Madison’s own picturesque living classroom, reflecting Wisconsin’s rich history of conservation education.
Wisconsin’s conservation story stretches back to the 1800s, but a serious legal framework didn’t follow until the 1930s. Today, the Henry Vilas Zoo as one of only 10 free zoos in North America, creates a welcoming and accessible atmosphere, prioritizing outreach, education and research for audiences of all ages.
Researchers and leaders at the zoo say their work is possible thanks to the legacy of notable Wisconsin environmentalists “Fighting” Bob LaFollete and Gaylord Nelson.
LaFollette broke partisan barriers as a Republican, connecting Americans across party lines as he cemented conservation as a unifying, civic cause rather than an ideological one.
His approach, the Wisconsin Idea, combined the expertise of UW faculty and government officials in legislative decisions and laid the groundwork for Wisconsin’s conservation centric mission.
The Wisconsin Idea lives on as UW professors combine in-class learning with fieldwork.
Wildlife Extension Specialist David Drake engages with community members in their surroundings about his research.
“I think it’s important that people not only see a giraffe, but they see something that they may normally see around here,” Drake said. “The more familiar you are with something, the more invested you’re going to become in that.”
Decades after LaFollete, Nelson organized a nation-wide teach-in in 1970, prompting 20 million Americans to mobilize in support of the environment, culminating in the first annual Earth Day.
Meanwhile, the Henry Vilas Zoo served the Madison community as a local conservation hub, and today, the zoo partners with over 10 different conservation partners and runs on-site education programs for all ages.
Even zoo-goers over 18 can participate in adult-only events like Halloween Trivia night.
The key to the zoo’s conservation efforts lies among its 650 different animals.
“We see our animals [here] at Henry Vilas Zoo as ambassadors,” the zoo’s conservation and education curator Jess Thompson said. “By having them here at the zoo, we’re able to connect [and] inspire people to go out and take action on behalf of wildlife.”
Starting with their Stroller Safari, parents can bring their young children to the zoo for a nursery song and a 30-minute guided tour. Children ages two to four can also participate in Preschool Pride, an hourlong themed program on Fridays and Saturdays.
Some families participate in Stroller Safari or Preschool Pride as a pastime, unaware of the strength of connections children can build with animals, their peers and teachers over the years.
Children this young may not yet be able to lead a lecture about conservation, but these programs foster their connections with wildlife as the zoo transforms into nature’s classroom.
The initial inspiration for conservation is caring about something,” Thompson said. “You know, when I asked you [interviewer], why did you want to come do a story on the zoo, you said, ‘I've always loved animals.’ That’s where it starts, right?”
From age four, children can also experience the zoo behind-the-scenes while learning about animals, scientific reasoning, and problem solving during the zoo’s four annual camp programs.
“We have staff at this point who have gone through all through our summer camp program and been part of our teen program, and then come back to work for us and are really passionate about conservation issues,” Thompson said.
Education at the zoo also links to campus expertise. Professors and students collaborate on curriculum, applying research across state lines.
UW Integrative Biology professor Robert Johnson said his outside research reflects local environmental issues.
“It’s a different type of expertise that I bring to the faculty here,” Johnson said. “The ideas of conservation [elsewhere] can still apply more locally here in Madison.”
Beyond the walls of the Henry Vilas Zoo, partnerships with local businesses further the zoo's mission.
The zoo, along with other educational organizations like the Madison Children’s Museum, Aldo Leopold Nature Center and the Olbrich Garden Center, are a part of Nature Net. A network of nature centers, parks and museums, Nature Net’s collective mission is to provide school-aged children with prime environmental education experiences.
The zoo’s focus on native wildlife helps bridge the gap between humans and nature.
“We think a lot about our local animals, which are just as important as those living across the world,” Thompson said.
Henry Vilas Zoo’s conservation efforts don’t stop in Wisconsin. Between their countless partnerships, the zoo contributes to programs all over the world.
From Vietnam to Mexico and Northeast Russia to Tanzania, the Henry Vilas Zoo is putting themselves at the forefront of conservation.
“Anything we can do to walk the talk in terms of sustainability, conserving our resources, making good choices about where we’re getting our energy and trying to be as efficient as possible is not only going to help us, but help animals all over the world,” Thompson said.
To foster international relationships, the zoo has maintained the highest level of accreditation possible. Since 1976, the Henry Vilas Zoo has continuously renewed their accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
The AZA accreditation is crucial to keeping the zoo operational, helping secure funds and continuing educational opportunities. Every five years, animal experts conduct a multiple day evaluation, analyzing animal welfare and care methods.
The Henry Vilas Zoo proudly wears this badge of honor, symbolizing their commitment to conservation. But the zoo is just one piece of Wisconsin’s environmental advocacy puzzle. From Dane to Bayfield County, Wisconsinites continue to be an environmental beacon.
There are endless opportunities to further your conservation knowledge, starting at the Henry Vilas Zoo, or in your backyard.
“I think you’d be surprised at how your life is going to benefit from being outside,” Drake said. “Act locally, think globally.”
