As part of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium’s mission to inspire, educate and engage people to serve as lifelong stewards for the conservation of animals and their habitats, solar panels were installed on the Lozier Giant Screen Theater building, which also houses the Zoo’s Gift Shop.
The 168 solar panels were installed on the south-facing, sloped roof as part of the Desert Dome Plaza renovation project. The panels will generate 116,000 KWH, which equals one-third of the annual power requirements for that building. This is the Zoo’s second solar installation. The first installation was a grant-funded project that occurred several years ago and included a shade structure with solar panels on its roof at the north Skyfari station near the Hawks Foundation Lion’s Pride and Habitat in the Wildlife Management Headquarters of the Suzanne and Walter Scott African Grasslands exhibit.
“Solar panels are just one way that the Zoo and Aquarium is committed to going green. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium strives to increase recycling and the reuse of materials, conserve energy and water, use green building methods, and practice environmentally preferable purchasing,” said Dennis Pate, President and CEO of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. “In fact, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium won Top Honors with the 2021 Green Award from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums acknowledging our significant efforts to put conservation into action by reducing the Zoo’s environmental impact from a business operations standpoint.”
Pate continued, “As part of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium’s commitment to conservation, we are actively working on a Climate Action Plan. This process includes a diverse team of Zoo employees and volunteers who are developing goals that will lead the Zoo to a more sustainable and climate adaptive future. This all-encompassing plan will provide achievable short- and long-term goals for the Zoo, as well as initiatives to implement further reductions in waste on grounds.”