COMMONWEALTH ZOOLOGICAL CORPORATION

Education chapter 92b of the acts of 1992 of the massachusetts general laws provides that the zoos will admit massachusetts school groups at no charge. Field trips to the zoo are an opportunity for students to learn more about science, wildlife and conservation. In fy 24, school group attendance was 61,388, which is a 6% decrease over school group attendance of 65,659 in fy 23.throughout fy 24, education department staff and volunteers facilitated more than 7,800 activities and programs that engaged nearly 228,186 participants. Compared to fy 23, this is a 78% increase in activities (4,400 in fy 23) and a 34% increase (170,000 in fy 23) in participants. Among the programs and activities, there were 698 behind the scenes tours, 570 classes (for volunteers, youth staff, students, scouts, camp, homeschoolers, and more), and 575 animal encounter programs for on-site events and interpretation.

Expenses incurred for facilities and grounds include salaries, fringe benefits, utilities, insurance and repairs and maintenance which enable zoo new england to operate in a comfortable, safe and protective environment for staff and visitors to the zoos.