Sustainability
At Ponderosa we are passionate about contributing to making change!
Our Mission
Our mission is to inspire people of all ages and abilities through Zoo-led education and engaging experiences, helping to ensure the survival of species and biomes for future generations with the aim of contributing towards active conservation. Keeping in line with our core beliefs of 'Bridging the Gap' to work together and aid in conserving our planet and its inhabitants.
Our Responsibilities
As a small zoo it is our responsibility to ensure that activities that are carried out on site are done so in a sustainable manner which limit negative impact on natural resources.
What We Have Achieved So Far
Rainwater harvesting - we have a water butt under one of our roofs to collect rainwater. This has allowed us to harvest rainwater as a long term supply of clean, safe water for our amphibians.
Educational talks - at all of our animal talks we educate on things visitors can do at home that aid in the conservation of biomes and wildlife, such as sustainable shopping and recycling.
Composting - where possible we compost all enclosure and animal waste on site at the adjoined aggregates site. This includes the likes of hay, straw and animal waste. Animal waste that cannot be composted such as carnivore waste is subsequently incinerated.
Recycled animal bedding - our ring-tailed lemurs are provided with nesting materials like shredded cardboard and paper. This bedding is made on site by our Day Care centre that deconstruct, shred and prep the material ready and suitable for use in the zoo. The carboard is recycled from our souvenir/gift shop deliveries as so we reduce and reuse 100% of the material that would usually be landfilled.
Going digital - we have removed the use of zoo maps across site. Instead we have one big map in the ticket office that we encourage our visitors to take a photo of on arrival for reference. These maps are also situated within the café. This has reduced our map littering by 100% and so is better for the environment both here at Ponderosa Zoo but also means we are conserving the forests by reducing our need for paper.
Sustainable gifts - in our gift shop our Eco Buddiez soft plush toys are very popular with both adults and children. One of these 140cm toys is made from 26 recycled water bottles, contains zero plastic beads or plastic embellishments, such as eyes, and are filled with 100% recycled fillings! Each purchase is directly conserving and protecting habitats and animals and is reducing plastic bottle waste. Most of our merchandise is FSC approved – such as our notebooks and our Eco Socks.
Coffee Shop - our sustainability efforts don’t just stop at the zoo; we try to promote responsible practices in our site café as well. All our food is provided in recyclable cardboard and napkins. Our cutlery is made from sustainably sourced wood that is recycled after use, reducing the need for single use plastics and environmental pollution should they not end up in the bins. Plastic ice cream tubs are reused for storage and our coffee is sourced from a local business that takes pride in sustainable and fair coffee farms, the used coffee grinds are then used in local gardens to fertilise the ground, not a single bit wasted.
What's Next for Ponderosa Zoo?
1. Continue developing and pursuing social impact strategies
2. Continue operating a sustainable suppliers chain
3. Provision of organic foods and sustainable gardening.
4. Enhance native biodiversity and mitigate urban heat effects.
5. Continue in maintaining our goal in reducing plastic usage.
Click here to view our Sustainability Policy.
Founded in 1991, Ponderosa Zoo, is home to over 100 animals and remains committed to accessibility, education, conservation, and inspiring visitors of all ages through engaging zoo-led experiences.
Get In Touch
Zoo
Phone: 01924 235276
Email: office@ponderosa-centre.co.uk
Lakeside Restaurant
Phone: 01924 404604
Email: lakeside@ponderosa-lakeside.co.uk
Day Care
Phone: 01924 404154
Quick Links
©Copyright Ponderosa Zoo
Website by Edmondson's IT Services