The Henry Vilas Zoo is a Dane County facility and a recognized leader in climate action. This page highlights the important steps the zoo’s staff have taken to reduce the zoo’s carbon footprint, conduct long-term decarbonization planning, educate Dane County residents about ways to protect our environment.
The new solar pavilion will build on Dane County’s long-standing commitment to reducing emissions and increasing renewable energy across the County. It is also an exciting opportunity to showcase renewable energy to hundreds of thousands of people every year.
Henry Vilas Zoo has achieved Climate Champion status in the Employee Commuting category for their efforts in encouraging employees to use active modes of transportation to and from work.
The Henry Vilas Zoo is one of a handful of zoos that have no admission charge (Chicago and St. Louis also have free zoos). And yet, even without that source of revenue, the zoo’s director, Ronda Schwetz has made a major commitment to investing in sustainable operations and facilities and reducing GHG emissions.
