The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutLetter to Governor Newsom In Support of The Living Desert Governor's Phase 2lni�li3'sizls'la<� SEQUOIA PARK FRESNa CHAFFEE THE LIVING DESERT ZOO I G,ARPEN5 ZOOD Curi4dVsseY AM&O 27 v SCIENCE PLAYGROUND & ZOO SAN DIE60 SAIV DIEGO ZOO SAFARI CONSERVATION �7 00PARK So f !Mtj i�AKLAND % ] CA IFORNIA__ May 18, 2020 Dear Governor Newsom: The 17 accredited zoos in California applaud your strong leadership and unwavering commitment to protecting Californians during this COVID-19 crisis. As members of the California Association of Zoos & Aquariums (CAZA) and all being accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), we are proud to represent this state and support your decisions concerning stay- at-home orders and safety protocols. Thank you for leading us through this difficult time. As conservation and education organizations committed to science, we are reassured that California is taking a science -based, data -driven approach to managing this outbreak. Because of that commitment to making decisions based on science and data, we ask that you reconsider the mandate prohibiting zoos from reopening in Phase 2. Zoos are primarily outdoor facilities, similar in many ways to public parks, botanical gardens, arboreta, or historic sites. In fact, some of the botanical collections within our gates are gardens accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the country's leading museum - accrediting organization. We are "outdoor museums" in every sense of the word. All the AZA-accredited zoos represented on this letter have submitted detailed reopening plans to our respective county health departments, in compliance with State of California guidance on "outdoor museums." We are all working closely with local health officials to ensure that we are meeting and even exceeding county requirements. As you are relying on the counties to make decisions relevant to our respective communities, each of our zoos is planning to reopen in a way that makes sense for each community. The ability to move our potential reopening to Phase 2 will not only allow us to serve our communities more effectively at this critical time, it will help maintain the sustainability of our institutions. Unlike many businesses and nonprofit organizations, zoos have an on -going commitment to the welfare and well-being of the animals under our care. This is a priority for us and a significant on -going expense that few others must bear. Reopening at this time looks extremely different from our "normal" operations. Key elements that are common to all our plans include: Reducing attendance and timing admissions to ensure proper social distancing; • Closing areas such as playgrounds and indoor spaces; • Suspending shows, presentations, or demonstrations that do not allow far effective social distancing; Eliminating access to interactive and interpretive displays that encourage physical contact; • Requiring facial coverings for staff and following local health department requirements for guests; ■ Providing numerous and easily accessible hand -sanitizing locations; and Increasing significantly the frequency of sanitation and disinfection of high -touch surfaces in accordance with health department and CDC guidelines. Additionally, as we've had essential staff working on site for the past two months, we already have established protocols and procedures in place to keep staff safe as well as the animals under our care. Employee safety continues to be a priority during this crisis and we have gained significant experience since closing our institutions in March. Staff who can work remotely will continue to do so. We know our communities see us as parks and gardens with animals rather than as attractions such as a theme park. We are organized differently and are committed to our conservation and education missions. Our communities visit us to enjoy being outdoors, experiencing wildlife, and benefiting from the abundant walking/exercise options. Zoo guests can feel safe in a well- managed outdoor environment, knowing that all areas are kept clean and measures are in place to ensure social distancing. As AZA-accredited zoos, we are part of a network of institutions that continually share best practices and work collaboratively to benefit the zoo and aquarium community as well as the individual members. The exchange of information related to i ❑perating under the constraints of COVID-19 continues t� increase exponentially as more zoos and aquariums are reopening across the country. In addition to our collaboration with local health authorities, we are benefiting greatly from the experiences of our colleagues. California's accredited zoos are prepared to move forward and contribute to rebuilding our economy, strengthening our communities, and addressing the conservation of our state's wildlife treasures. Please consider allowing our institutions to reopen consistent with the provisions for outdoor museums. Thank you for your consideration. Charles Paddock Zoo CuriOddysey Fresno Chaffee Zoo Oakland Zoo San Diego Zoo San Diego Zoo Safari Park San Francisco Zoo Santa Barbara Zoo Sacramento Zoo Sequoia Park Zoo The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens Subject: UPDATE: Zoo Letter to State Importance: High Hi all, We heard back from the state regarding our collective letter late yesterday. They said that "while zoos are not envisaged under Stage 2, [our] outreach is timely as we're preparing guidance for non-Stage-2 sectors." NOW is our time to be heard. If you haven't already, we ask you to identify 1-3 champions (county public health officer, a friend/supporter who contributed to Governor campaign, local elected official, etc) of your institution who have a connection to the Governor and can help make our case by making a phone call today or tomorrow. Our ask is for them to relay these three messages: 1. Take accredited zoos out of the exemption list for outdoor museums now and allow them to reopen under Phase 2 with County approval and by abiding by the "outdoor museum" State Guidelines. 2. Accredited zoos are prepared to reopen looking vastly different from their normal operations, more similar to a botanical garden. 3. Our communities need zoos open. Accredited zoos can provide the health and wellbeing benefits of an outdoor park, combined with the safety benefits of a controlled, managed environment. Additionally, if your employees are part of an organized labor union, consider asking your union leadership to also make a phone ca11 to the governor's ice about the importance of getting back to work/bringing urloughed employees back/whatever this looks like fdr your organization and they are eager to get back to work a� an outdoor museum. Your champions should reach out to any or all of the following: CA-GoBIZ httos://Pobiz.zendesk.com4hc/en-us/reauests/new Rhys Williams in the Governor's Office Rhvs.Williams@)GOV.CA.GOV. Governor, himself — if a strong connection Please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly if you have any questions or if I can assist in any way. Thank you! Robin and Andrea Robin Keith Associate director Vision, Innovation and Strategy San Diego Zoo Global office phone: (619) 231-1515 x4551 mobile: (8S8) 213-4997 Our vision: To lead the fight against extinction From: Andrea Caldwell <ACaldwell@sandieeozoo.orR> Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 202012:41 PM To: Jason Jacobs <JJacobsPsaczoo.org>; Robin Keith <rkeitht 7a sandieeozoo.org>; Dr. Parrott rdrparrottPoaklandzoo.org>; Rich Block rrblock(Wsbzoo.ore>; Nancy Lang <nlang safariwest.com>; Scott Barton <sba rto n Pfres noch affee zoo.org>; Alan 6aker<abaker(@atascadero.org>; Allen Monroe <amonroe @IivinRdesert.org>; den ise.verret[cDlac itv.org <denise.verret@lac itv.orR>; Tanya Peterson <tan a p@ sfzoo.org>; Gretchen Ziegler <erieeler(@ci.eureka.ca.eov>; Nikii Finch -Morales <NikiiFM curiodvssev.org> Cc: Erin Harrison <eharrison(@oaklandzoo.org>; Nik oehejia <Niktaloaklandzoo.org>; Robin Keith rrkeith sandieRozoo.org> Subject: zoo Letter to State All I am sorry for the delay in getting this out to you. The letter was delivered to the Governor's office yesterday mid- afternoon. It is attached for your reference. If anyone gets any new intel, hopefully we can keep sharing as we go. Thanks, Andrea 4